Printing your own custom stickers and labels can seem like a cost-effective way to get the look and feel you want for your brand or business, but there are some hidden costs to consider before taking the plunge. If you’re not careful, you could actually end up spending more money and wasting more time by printing your own stickers. Here are the hidden costs to keep in mind when DIYing your stickers and labels.
1. You have to purchase a sticker printer
You might find that your standard desktop printer is not up for the tasks, especially if you have small details that need to be printed crisply and clearly. This can mean that you have to invest in a higher quality printer, which usually starts at $300. If you are happy with your desktop printer, this should not be a concern for you.
2. Inks and other supplies can be expensive
Then there are the inks. Most printers operate in CMYK which stands for cyan, magenta, yellow and black (key). This will give you thousands of colors. However, if you are looking for a specific color for your custom labels and stickers, you might want to add orange, green and violet. Most standard printers will not be able to cater to that. On top of that, you will simply go through a lot more ink cartridges than before.
3. Do you have a laminator?
After you print your stickers and labels, you can laminate them to give them a glossy or frosted look and to make them more durable or even waterproof. You can buy laminators and the film with the right effect for around $50 at Walmart, so that is not the end of the world.
4. Getting that custom shape can be a challenge
If you are happy with a standard shape like rectangular or round, you will find pre-cut sheets online. But if you are after a custom shape or want to create a die-cut sticker, scissors will only take you that far. It might be time to invest in a cutting machine to give you the best result.
5. The time it takes to print each individual sticker can be tedious
Printing one sticker at a time can be extremely tedious and will take a lot longer than you think. If you are looking to print a large number of stickers, this might not be the most efficient way to go about it.
6. There’s the potential for mistakes that could ruin an entire batch of stickers
When we try something for the first (or second or third) time, we are bound to make mistakes. Unfortunately, these mistakes can be costly and can, at worst, delay a product launch or the re-sale of your stickers and labels.
To sum up, there are several hidden costs associated with printing your own custom labels and stickers. From the right equipment, over the perfect material to, figuring out the perfect process, there are a lot of potential hurdles. Another option is to go with a professional sticker maker who can help you along the way. What do you prefer? Let us know in the comments below.
