Turning sheet labels into roll labels

[Bryce I]

We print product labels on a Roland VG-3 using a 54" roll of media. This works for some clients, but many request roll labels for easier application. I talked to someone who described visiting a shop somewhere that was printing labels the same way, and using some DIY method to wind the finished labels into something resembling a roll of labels. I'm picturing printing a single row, sheet cutting, then fastening one end of the media to a tube or something, and somehow winding it up? Does this sound plausible? Any insights welcome!

 

[Snydo]

A decent label rewinder is much faster than rolling by hand, the cheapest ones on Amazon dont last long but some of the mid-ranged priced ones aren't bad.

 

[Boudica]

We just cut them into strips and give them a stack of strips

 

[dannyd1962]

I work at a roll label (flexographic printer) company. I get what you're saying, but not sure how thats going to come out.
Usually the customer wants them broken down into rolls of 250, 500, 1,000...good luck.

 

[WizardWorks]

We just cut them into strips and give them a stack of strips

"
Same. I built a couple flat portfolio-like carriers from colorplast panels for transport and i cut the sheets down to 27" to make em easy to handle.

 

[Joseph44708]

I do it the same way as Boutica.
Assign two cuts, Kiss Cut & Straight thru cut.

 

[Kemik]

We have a small 13" roll to roll plotter.
I have printed 13" on our Mimaki UCJV and cut on the roll to roll, but you would still need a rewinder/slitter to cut the 13" down to smaller rolls, unless you find a plotter that also slits. We print flexo so we have all that equipment already.

 

[Pippip]

We generally specify "on sheets" or if in rolls I get an outsourced price.

Just be wary when quoting rolls as if the customer is using an applicator machine there's a few different specificiations specific to the rolls and how the labels are on the roll.

 

[Goatshaver]

I found this pretty helpful if you like seeing someone do it.

 

[Kemik]

We generally specify "on sheets" or if in rolls I get an outsourced price.

Just be wary when quoting rolls as if the customer is using an applicator machine there's a few different specificiations specific to the rolls and how the labels are on the roll.

To add to this, you can search for "Roll label direction" on google and pick an image to send to your client so they may choose the correct direction they require. However, I don't think the standard vinyl material would dispense well anyway, you may need to use some flexo material made for dispensing, if you have a UV printer you should be able to print on flexo material.

 

[Mr.Signboy]

I print them in long strips (4-6') and leave a 1/2" strip at each end to tape them together. If you use clear tape and do it nice they look pretty good, you can add as many strips as you want. I even like to print our company logo on the 1/2" space so every so often they're reminded where to reorder. Using the same printer as you and a flatbed cutter.

 

[MP Custom]

There is no need to use tape to attach each strip. Just cut the excess from the edges of the sheet into smaller bits. Use that on the back to overlap the the next strip

 

[Mr.Signboy]

There is no need to use tape to attach each strip. Just cut the excess from the edges of the sheet into smaller bits. Use that on the back to overlap the the next strip

that works too

 

[kcollinsdesign]

Whether you need rolls or sheets of stickers, ordering them from a wholesale printer like Sticker Mule or any of the fine printing companies that are represented on Signs 101 will be easier and likely less expensive. The labor involved in slitting, winding, and packaging will eat up any profits unless you have a production facility that is set up to do that. Plus the big commercial printers buy materials by the truckload, have material handling and warehousing capabilities, have fully operational shipping departments (usually offering drop shipping), and run their printers constantly (often multiple shifts) allowing them to offer much lower prices than a local sign shop.

 

[victor bogdanov]

Whether you need rolls or sheets of stickers, ordering them from a wholesale printer like Sticker Mule or any of the fine printing companies that are represented on Signs 101 will be easier and likely less expensive. The labor involved in slitting, winding, and packaging will eat up any profits unless you have a production facility that is set up to do that. Plus the big commercial printers buy materials by the truckload, have material handling and warehousing capabilities, have fully operational shipping departments (usually offering drop shipping), and run their printers constantly (often multiple shifts) allowing them to offer much lower prices than a local sign shop.

That's not true, sticker mule is very expensive.

I haven't yet seen a digital sticker wholesaler that is cheaper than doing it yourself if you have a halfway decent printer and cutter.

The wide format "wholesalers" are selling stickers for double the cost of what you can find retail on Etsy or Amazon.

 

[kcollinsdesign]

That's not true, sticker mule is very expensive.

I haven't yet seen a digital sticker wholesaler that is cheaper than doing it yourself if you have a halfway decent printer and cutter.

The wide format "wholesalers" are selling stickers for double the cost of what you can find retail on Etsy or Amazon.

Sticker Mule may be double the cost of other wholesalers. I never bothered to find out.

I can buy 1000 2" stickers from Sticker Mule for $200.00 and have them drop shipped at no additional cost. If I had somebody on the shop set the file up, print them, slit them, roll them, package them, and ship them I would have at least two hours at $85/hr in the project (not including material costs and overhead).

If, as you suggest, I shopped around and I could get them for $100, well, you can see what I am getting at.

A well equipped shop with the right equipment and a solid stream of orders for stickers could probably beat that price. Most small shops get occasional sticker orders and have to do everything by hand.

 

[victor bogdanov]

Sticker Mule may be double the cost of other wholesalers. I never bothered to find out.

I can buy 1000 2" stickers from Sticker Mule for $200.00 and have them drop shipped at no additional cost. If I had somebody on the shop set the file up, print them, slit them, roll them, package them, and ship them I would have at least two hours at $85/hr in the project (not including material costs and overhead).

If, as you suggest, I shopped around and I could get them for $100, well, you can see what I am getting at.

A well equipped shop with the right equipment and a solid stream of orders for stickers could probably beat that price. Most small shops get occasional sticker orders and have to do everything by hand.

I just wouldn't be able to sleep at night selling something to my customer for $300 knowing they can go on Etsy or Amazon or Sticker Mule in your case and get it for for $100 on Amazon/Etsy or for $200 on Sticker Mule

 

[WizardWorks]

I'll happily take the customers willing to pay more. Best kind to have.

 

[victor bogdanov]

I'll happily take the customers willing to pay more. Best kind to have.

So that you can pay more instead of searching around for the best deal?

 

[WizardWorks]

I run a small print shop. I do my work in house. Customers paying me more for my higher quality output are helping my business thrive.

Good work ain't cheap and cheap work ain't good.