Benefits of Packaging Labels
Jump to:
- The Importance of Packaging Labels
- Top Three Benefits of Packaging Labels
- What are the Three Different Types of Labels?
- What Type of Packaging Should I Use?
- Contact Compack USA for Your Packaging Labels
Choosing appropriate packaging will ensure your products stay safe during shipping, lessening the chances of damage.
Packaging labels are one of the best ways to provide helpful information to your customer. You have a few options for packaging labels — standard text labels, direct thermal labels and thermal transfer labels. Keep reading to discover the unique benefits associated with each one.
The Importance of Packaging Labels
The most significant benefit of a packaging label is the clarity it gives the carrier and consumer. An effective packaging label consolidates all the information people need to know, including:
- Handling guidelines: Labels such as "Fragile," "Do Not Bend" or "Handle With Care" convey proper handling procedures so the product inside stays safe.
- Instructions for use: Some labels might include instructions as images or text explaining how to use a product.
- Safety information: Labels communicate if a package contains hazardous materials. Accurate labels and markings are vital for helping carriers and customers prevent accidents, spills and exposure.
- Important branding information: Packaging labels make your project stand out among similar ones.
If you sell through Amazon but choose to ship products yourself rather than through Amazon's warehouse, you'll need to use appropriate packaging labels. Amazon's option for handling packaging, shipping and customer concerns yourself is called merchant fulfilled orders, also known as fulfilled by merchant (FMB) rather than fulfilled by Amazon (FBA).
Top Three Benefits of Packaging Labels
Some benefits extend to every type of packaging label. Some of these benefits include:
- Conveying information: Labels can contain all the information above and more. The guidance they provide makes them essential tools for both the carrier and the customer.
- Shipping efficiency and accuracy: Clearly printed packaging labels eliminate confusion during shipping, supporting efficient and accurate deliveries.
- Improved safety and security: Labels can protect your products and keep them safe. Sealing labels can reveal when a product has been tampered with. Temperature control labels and damage indicators indicate if a package was exposed to unacceptable temperatures or rough handling. Labels with handling guidelines can also limit damage to products during shipping.
What Are the Three Different Types of Labels
It's crucial to understand the different types of labels so that you can choose the one that best fits your needs. Each one has its own set of advantages and disadvantages for product or shipping labeling:
1. Standard Text Labels
Standard text labels stick directly onto a box and include text such as "Fragile," "Handle With Care" or "This Way Up." Standard text labels are pre-printed, meaning they do not use ink, toner or ribbons. They work great for distinguishing packages that contain fragile or potentially hazardous materials and also work well to create shipping labels for your products.
Some of the benefits of standard text labels include:
- Customer safety: Accurately labeling products with potentially dangerous materials keeps customers safe and ensures they know what is in a product.
- Printing in different colors: Printing a packaging label in a different color lets you emphasize certain information. For example, you might print warning labels in red to draw more attention to them.
2. Thermal Transfer Labels
Thermal transfer labels transfer heat to a ribbon, causing its ink to absorb into the label you're printing. Thermal transfer ribbons typically come in resin, wax or wax-resin compound versions. Each type of ribbon has benefits and drawbacks, and it's best to use different ribbon types to print on different materials.
Though thermal transfer labels require a ribbon to print, they offer a much more durable result. Able to withstand chemicals and extreme temperatures, these labels are excellent for printing precise text and images.
Thermal transfer labels have the following benefits:
- High quality: Thermal transfer labels create high-definition images and graphics for maximum readability.
- Durability: These labels are resistant to heat and moisture, giving them better durability than other label options.
- Color printing options: Thanks to their durability, you can be confident the color on your thermal transfer labels will stay bright and vivid.
3. Direct Thermal Labels
Direct thermal labels operate on labeling machines that do not require ribbons, so they're often renowned for their simplicity. Instead, they use a special thermal paper that turns black when exposed to heat. It's label-making for the digital age — when the label runs through, the printer head applies heat in the shape of the image or text being created.
It's important to note that the process that makes printing direct thermal labels simple and easy also makes them less durable. The thermal paper is sensitive to all heat, which can lead to fading over time.
Many of these labels' benefits overlap with thermal transfer labels', such as producing very little waste and being very easy for customers to read. However, direct thermal labels also have distinct advantages of their own, including:
- Low maintenance costs: Since you'll only need to replace the printing material, the long-term maintenance costs of a direct thermal label printer remain low.
- Simplicity: Direct thermal labels do not require toner, ink or ribbons, making them easy to create.
- Offers a short-term solution: Because direct thermal labels are susceptible to extreme temperatures, they don't last as long as other options. These labels work best as short-term solutions.
What Type of Packaging Label Should I Use?
Choosing the correct label depends on many things, including intended use and industry. Standard text labels are best for conveying shipping instructions and relaying how to handle products during shipment. Thermal labels might be perfect for ensuring the product packaging informs customers about specific aspects of your product.
The printer you're using will determine whether you'll use direct thermal or thermal transfer labels. When you're selecting your printer, consider these questions:
- How long do the labels need to last?
- What is my budget?
- Will the labels need to have images or barcodes on them?
- Do my labels need to be highly durable?
- What am I using my labels for?
These guiding questions should help you decide which packaging label will work best for your application.
Contact Compack USA for Your Packaging Labels
Compack strives to make a positive difference through packaging supplies. We have products for all your packaging needs, from tapes and adhesives to shipping and mailing equipment. With more than 40 years in the industry, we're committed to increasing productivity and lowering packaging costs.
From 4x6 inch thermal labels and ribbons to shipping and warning labels, we offer shipping and mailing supplies for all your business's needs. Contact us today to get started.