Frequently Asked Questions About Label Printing

Q. What is the minimum label order?
A. Our minimum physical label printing production order is 2M (2000) labels. The economically practical minimum is 5M in most cases.
Q. What is artwork?
A. It is the layout of design, wording (copy) and/or images that are necessary to create negatives and printing plates.
Q. What are printing plates?
A. Plates are images that are created from the negatives which are used to transfer the ink to the surface to be printed. Each color requires a separate printing plate.
Q. Who will make my label artwork?
A. Anyone with professional prepress art talent such as agencies, freelance commercial artists, or the printer you are using. Renell can also create artwork needed for an art charge.
Q. How should I have my label printing artwork prepared?
A. Today artwork is created in digital form on computers even if some drawings or images need to be created and scanned in for inclusion. It is necessary to follow the guidelines that your printer recommends as to what he will accept and in what form, so ask first before creating your art.
Q. How do I get special items like bar codes, nutritional statements, etc?
A. Bar codes should be added into the negatives by the source creating the negatives to insure accuracy of scanning. Consult with your printer on other items such as FDA, UL, CSA, EU, or other authorized logos or emblems. Also ask about special wording formats such as nutritionals, standard warnings, etc. as well.
Q. What is a "die" or "tooling" label printing charge?
A. A die is used to cut the label shape. If one must be manufactured for your shape, there will be a charge to engrave it. You may try to avoid this charge by using a shape that your printer already possesses that is acceptably close to your needs.
Q. What are "prep" (preparatory) charges?
A. These are all of the initial charges which most often include the plates, tooling and other charges (but not usually the artwork costs) involved for the first printing run.
Q. How can I be assured my labels will stick properly to my surface?
A. Prior to ordering, always request sample material to test on the surface(s) to be labeled, or to check out the automatic labeling process. If you are unsure of your own conclusions, send a few samples or your product to your label printer for him to recommend both appropriate adhesive as well as proper face materials.
Q. What is a proof? Or, do I need to see a proof?
A. This is an evidence of what the printed product will look like prior to printing. It is your opportunity to review the wording, spelling, size and position of the label design. As our proof to you, we furnish a PDF file—at no charge—for your review, correction, and approval. A proof approval is required prior to any production. It is possible to obtain a hard-copy proof for a small fee, if desired. A proof can be corrected or changed prior to printing and should not be bypassed because of delivery urgency.
Q. What are "overs" or "unders"?
A. In the label industry - as in most of printing - the actual quantity of product delivered may vary + or - 10% from the quantity ordered because extras are produced to provide for what may need to be culled out in the quality review process. You are then billed only for the actual quantity shipped.
Q. Why are some price quotes unusually low compared to the others received?
A. Two of the major reasons are the use by some converters of off-grade materials obtained at much lower costs and/or near non-existent quality controls. Of course, lower labor or overhead costs can also be a factor according to region and type of labor talent used. Such factors can result in products that fail to perform properly or are never the same two times in a row. Remember: don't expect what you don't inspect!
Q. What is considered typical delivery for a custom printed label?
A. This can vary by manufacturer but is usually dependent on three factors:
  1. Quantity size of the run.
  2. Complexity or Special Requirements (such as special materials, inks, dies, etc.)
  3. Correctness of the Artwork Supplied.
The best answer is to check with your vendor and see if he can accommodate you even with a partial shipment if necessary.

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