Thinking about bringing your label printing in-house? You’re not alone. More Kiwi businesses are considering whether investing in a label printer is worth it. Done right, it can save time, cut costs, and give you total control over your branding. But it’s not a one-size-fits-all decision. This guide walks you through what you need to know.
1. Why Businesses Are Moving to In-House Label Printing
Outsourcing your labels makes sense — until it doesn’t. Many businesses start with outsourced label printing, only to hit a wall when they:
- Change SKUs often
- Need quick turnarounds
- Launch seasonal or personalised products
- Face high MOQs or long lead times
Bringing printing in-house offers flexibility and control. You print only what you need, when you need it, without setup costs or delays.
In-house printing is ideal for:
- Food and beverage producers
- Cosmetic and skincare brands
- Craft brewers and distillers
- Small batch or artisan manufacturers
- Businesses offering private label or white label services
2. The Benefits of Owning a Label Printe
Let’s break it down:
- Print on Demand: Forget stockpiling. If you need 30 labels today and 300 next week, no problem.
- Control Over Quality and Timing: No more waiting for suppliers. You decide when and how your labels get printed.
- Flexibility for Versions and Variations: Update your label designs any time — new ingredients, languages, barcodes or compliance changes.
- Personalisation: Print names, regions, flavours or batch codes directly onto each label.
- Cost Savings Over Time: While there’s an upfront cost, many businesses save thousands in the first year by avoiding setup fees, waste, and minimum order requirements.
3. The True Cost of Owning a Label Printer
Initial Hardware Investment
Expect to pay between $7,000 and $15,000+ depending on features (like white ink capability).
Consumables & Media
Ongoing costs include toner, drums, and label media. Quality supplies matter here — we guide you on the right stock for your needs.
Software and Design Setup
You’ll need basic design software and support with file setup. We help bridge that gap if you don’t have an in-house designer.
Maintenance & Support
Maintenance is minimal but important. That’s why we offer NZ-based support, training, and ongoing help.
4. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Choosing the Wrong Printer
Each printer suits different label sizes, finishes and volumes. We’ll recommend the right one for your products. We’re brand agnostic so you can trust us to
Underestimating the Learning Curve
You need to consider your team’s capabilities. For example, do you have a specialist digital printer who will be producing these labels or will this be a task handled by your marketing team? Not all label printers are plug-and-play. You’ll need to consider materials, artwork prep, calibration, and whether you need a label finisher.
Ignoring Design Limitations
Labels aren’t flyers. Bleed, white ink layering, resolution — it all matters. We can help you get it right.
No Plan for File Management
Keep track of your SKUs, versions, and templates. We help set you up with a file system that works.
5. What to Look for in a Label Printer
- Print resolution: 1200 x 1200 dpi or higher for crisp, retail-quality output
- Media compatibility: Will it handle the types of labels you need (glossy, matte, clear, synthetic)?
- Media costs: Some label printers only handle certain types of media, which look great until you see the eye-watering cost…
- Print width: Most label printers have a max width (e.g. 130mm)
- White ink support: Game-changer for clear or metallic labels.
We’re brand agnostic so we supply and support different printers that meets the needs of different customers. Some customers need CMYK+White, some need roll-to-roll capability, and others just need CMYK on a sheet.
6. How LabelPros Makes It Easy
We’re not just selling a machine. We offer a full package:
- Free consult to help you choose the right model
- Label design assistance if you don’t have in-house capability
- Ongoing training and NZ-based support so you don’t get stuck
- Financing options so you can start printing now and spread the cost
7. Should You Buy a Label Printer?
If you:
- Print 1,000+ labels per month
- Change products, SKUs, or versions regularly
- Want more control, lower costs, and less waste
- Are growing or launching new products
…then yes. Buying a label printer could be one of the best decisions you make.
