8 Ways to Cut Costs on Custom Labels

With thousands of brands on the shelf, which one do you choose and why? The one with the best packaging, of course! It’s the first interaction that customers have with your brand, and this first impression greatly influences how consumers feel about your product.

As a small business, you might think custom product labels are costly. Not always! There are many factors that come into play when designing and printing labels. Here are eight ways you can cut costs when customizing your product labels without costing you sales.

The Importance of Premium Custom Labels

With e-commerce on the rise, the importance of packaging has increased. Since customers don’t interact physically with brands when purchasing online, you need to deliver the best experience possible through custom packaging and labeling.

Custom labels help you stand out in person and online while developing brand recognition. Beautiful and innovative product marketing is often reused and repurposed, becoming part of people’s lifestyles.

8 Ways to Save Money on Custom Labels

1. The Volume Game

If you buy in bulk, you get more discounts. Assess whether printing in bulk is feasible for you:

Does your product change frequently?
Do you revamp packaging often?

If the answer is no, bulk quantities may be the way to go. Work with your label partner to identify what volume gives the best cost advantages.

2. Blanket Bulk Orders

If your labels aren’t subject to frequent changes, blanket orders can be a good option. A blanket order allows you to have a long-term agreement on label volume.

Benefits:

Production of large quantities held for you
Shipping per your inventory requirements
Protection from raw material price fluctuations
Avoidance of shortages

3. Go Digital

Choosing the right printing technology can help cut costs without affecting quality. For orders less than 10,000 labels, digital printing is often more cost-effective than flexographic printing.

Digital printing advantages:

No additional tooling required
No frequent plate changes
Easy accommodation of multiple variants
Variable data printing without extra costs

4. Identify the Right Materials

Understanding what the packaging will be used for helps you choose the best materials:

How long does it need to last?
What conditions must it withstand?
Does it need to be water or oil resistant?
Is sustainability important?

Don’t over-specify materials—choose what’s appropriate for your specific needs.

5. Consider Using Foil Material

Foil printing is popular but expensive. A more economical choice is printing on foil paper instead. This switch:

Makes the process less labor-intensive
Reduces time and cost of plate changes
Achieves similar results on a smaller budget

6. Choose Lower Gauge Material

Lower gauge materials like film are more economical because:

They’re thinner, so more fit on one roll
Fewer roll changes needed
Reduced application costs
Lower per-label spending

7. Experiment with Label Sizes

Reducing label size means:

More labels printed from one roll
Savings on roll quantities
Reduced labor requirements
Lower per-label costs

Consider whether a slightly smaller label could work just as well for your product.

8. Partner with Label Printing Professionals

An expert label printing partner is key to cost-effective decisions. They can:

Help optimize your labels
Offer options unique to your business needs
Help meet financial goals while maintaining quality

Why Quality Still Matters

While cutting costs is important, remember that labels are an investment in your product and part of your marketing strategy. The goal is reducing costs without compromising quality—not sacrificing what makes your labels effective.

Conclusion

Designing and printing custom labels doesn’t have to break your budget. By implementing these strategies—buying in bulk, choosing the right printing technology, optimizing materials, and partnering with experienced professionals—you can achieve premium labels at affordable rates.