What to Consider When Ordering Labels? Price, Minimum Quantity, and Choosing the Right Company.

Factors to consider when ordering labels include material selection, minimum order quantity, print quality, delivery time, and price. Choosing the right label company should be based on factors such as production capacity, certifications, and references.

What factors influence the retail price?

• Order quantity: As the quantity increases, the unit cost decreases. While low quantities are more economical in digital printing, high quantities are advantageous in flexographic printing.
• Material selection: Coated paper is the most economical option, while polyester is the most expensive.
• Number of colors in printing: As the number of colors increases, the cost increases. In digital printing, the number of colors does not affect the price.
• Size and shape: Non-standard cuts and large sizes increase costs.
• Special treatments: Special surface treatments such as gilding, lacquering, and embossing incur additional costs.
• Adhesive type: Deep-freeze, non-permanent, or re-adhesive adhesives are more expensive than standard adhesives.

How is the minimum order quantity determined?

The minimum order quantity varies depending on the printing method. Flexographic printing generally has a higher minimum quantity due to the cost of the printing plate. Digital printing, however, does not require a printing plate, making lower quantity orders more economical. Digital printing should be preferred for prototypes, test products, or seasonal items.

Printing Method	Minimum Quantity	Optimal Use
Digital Printing	Low quantity	Prototype, test, seasonal product
Flexographic Printing	High quantity	Mass production, long print run

8 Questions You Should Ask When Choosing a Labeling Company

1. Do you have food safety certification? ISO 22000 or BRC certification is mandatory for the food industry.
2. Which printing technologies do you use? Companies with flexographic, digital, and offset printing capabilities offer more flexible solutions.
3. In which sectors are your references located? Companies with experience specific to your sector may be able to offer more suitable solutions.
4. What is the minimum order quantity? Choose the company that offers the minimum quantity that suits your needs.
5. What is the delivery time? Inquire about urgent order capacity and inventory management capabilities.
6. How is color management done? Pantone color matching and print-to-print color consistency are critically important.
7. What is your quality control process? Companies that perform quality control during production and before shipment should be preferred.
8. Are there environmentally friendly material options? Companies offering eco-friendly materials like FSC-certified paper and PET-G support your sustainability goals.

Common Mistakes Made When Ordering Labels

• Focusing solely on price and ignoring material quality.
• Failure to choose an adhesive suitable for the product specifications.
• Not including delivery time in order scheduling.
• Starting production without color approval.
• Choosing an uncertified company for food or pharmaceuticals.
• Failure to check the legislation of the target country for export products.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a sample with my label order?

Yes. It is recommended to request samples for print and material approval before proceeding with mass production. This stage is critical to verifying color accuracy and material quality.

Is it possible to order labels urgently?

Digital printing doesn't require molds, so urgent orders can be fulfilled faster. Flexographic printing, however, requires careful consideration of mold preparation time.

Is the company designing the label?

Some label companies offer design support. However, for a design that aligns with your brand identity, it's recommended to seek professional graphic design assistance. You can submit your ready-made design file in PDF or AI format.

Is it sensible to order stock labels?

In high-volume orders, the unit cost decreases, but inventory risk increases. In situations where product information changes frequently, low-volume and frequent orders may be more advantageous.

Reliable Label Production with Doğa Barcode

As Doğa Barkod Etiket, we produce labels for the food, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and industrial sectors with our ISO 22000 and ISO 9001 certifications. With our flexographic and digital printing capabilities, we can handle both low and high volume orders. You can visit our contact page to get a quote or browse our adhesive label products.