As a small business owner, you always look for ways to streamline your operations and reduce costs without sacrificing quality. One area that’s often overlooked but has a big impact on efficiency and expenses is labeling. Reduce printing time from 10 minutes to 30 seconds and save up to 50% on labeling costs with our high-quality Thermal Labels! Specifically, using thermal labels can significantly impact your business operations. One of our customers here at enKo Products reported that shifting to a thermal labeling system lowered their printing time from 8 – 10 minutes to less than a minute, allowing them to process orders faster and reduce labor costs. The labels are also durable and easy to use, with minimal waste, translating to lower costs and savings. Our thermal labels cost 25 – 50% lower per label on average compared to labels printed by inkjet and laser printers. In this blog, we’ll explore the benefits of thermal labels and how they can help your small business become more efficient and cost-effective. So let’s dive in and discover the power of thermal labels! CONTENT How Thermal Labels Improve Efficiency Cost Savings with Thermal Labels How Thermal Labels Improve Efficiency Thermal labels offer numerous benefits to small businesses, including faster printing speeds, efficient barcodes and QR code printing, and lower downtime and maintenance costs. These advantages directly translate into increased efficiency and productivity, which is critical for small businesses looking to stay competitive. Thermal labels are also better than inkjet and laser-printed labels in terms of printing speed, cost, and durability. Factor Inkjet & Laser-printed Label Thermal Printed Label Difference Printing Speed 4-6 inches per second 6-8 inches per second Thermal labels print faster by 2-4 inches per second on average Cost $0.10-$0.15 per label $0.03-$0.08 per label Thermal labels cost 23-50% less per label on average Durability Limited durability, prone to fading and smudging Highly durable, resistant to fading and smudging Thermal labels last longer and provide better readability 1. Faster Printer Speeds and Fewer Jams So why can thermal labels print faster and have fewer jams than inkjet and laser-printed labels? It’s because thermal printing technology uses heat to create the image on the label, which means there is no need for ink or toner cartridges that can run out or become clogged. With thermal label printing, you can print labels quickly and efficiently without worrying about interruptions due to printer jams or needing to replace consumables constantly. Thermal Labels in Action: A small specialty foods distributor Gourmet Foods Inc. implemented a thermal label system to improve their shipping process and reduce errors in labeling. With the new system, they increased their order fulfillment speed by 30% and reduced the number of mislabeled packages by 75%. 2. Efficiently Print Barcodes and QR Codes Thermal labels are great for barcode and QR code printing because they can print them efficiently. Thermal label printers allow you to print high-quality barcodes and QR codes directly onto their labels. This advantage makes it easy for you to streamline your inventory management and tracking processes and reduces the need for manual labor, allowing employees to focus on other tasks. Thermal Labels in Action: By implementing a barcode system with their thermal labels, 123 Retail reduced their labeling errors from 5% to less than 1%. This improvement in accuracy reduced the costs associated with shipping and returns and improved customer satisfaction Brother DK 2205 Labels | 2-3/7″ x 100 Feet Continuous Paper Labels 2-3/7″ (62 mm) x 100 feet (30.48m) Cut labels to any length 6 rolls include 2 cartridges SHOP NOW 3. Reduced Downtime and Maintenance Costs with Thermal Printers Finally, thermal labels can reduce downtime and maintenance costs. Inkjet and laser printers require regular cleaning and replacing of ink or toner cartridges, which can be costly and time-consuming. In contrast, a thermal printer typically requires less maintenance and has fewer parts that can break or malfunction. That means your business can save time and money, allowing you to focus on more important tasks such as growing operations and serving customers Thermal printers typically require an average maintenance cost of around $100 per year compared to $500 per year for inkjet and laser printers. (Source: Barcoding, Inc.) Thermal printers have a lower failure rate than laser and inkjet printers, with an average failure rate of 0.5% compared to 3% for inkjet and laser printers. (Source: Datamax-O’Neil) Cost Savings with Thermal Labels In today’s competitive business landscape, you need to look for cost-effective solutions that can help your business operations without breaking the bank. One such solution is thermal labels, which offer numerous benefits over inkjet and laser printed labels and can help your businesses save on costs in the long run. Cost Savings Inkjet & Laser-printed Label Thermal Printed Label Upfront Printer Cost Label Material Cost Per 1,000 Labels Printer Maintenance Cost per Year Total Cost for 10,000 Labels Total Cost for 100,000 Labels Total Cost for 1,000,000 Labels $500 $100 $200 $1,500 $11,000 $105,000 $200 $50 $50 $750 $5,500 $52,500 1. Lower Upfront Costs for Thermal Label Printers and Thermal Label Supplies Cost is always a significant consideration when purchasing equipment and supplies for your business. One of the benefits of using thermal labels is that the upfront costs for printers and supplies are generally lower. It is especially true for direct thermal printing, which requires only a printer and thermal paper, eliminating the need for ink or toner. A standard inkjet printer can cost anywhere from $50 to $200, while a thermal label printer typically ranges from $100 to $500. However, the cost of ink and toner cartridges can add up quickly, with prices ranging from $15 to $100 per cartridge. In contrast, thermal printers require no ink or toner for their paper labels, which can save your business hundreds of dollars per year. 2. Reduced Labeling Costs In addition to lower upfront costs, using thermal labels can reduce labeling costs. Thermal printing creates labels directly on paper without using expensive ink and toner, allowing you to save thousands of dollars every year. Labels from thermal printers are also more durable and provide better readability, making them very cost-effective. Thermal Labels in Action: OneStop Office Solution reduced labeling costs by 20% and waste by 50% by switching to thermal labels. The thermal labels they used were more durable than inkjet and laser printer labels, which meant they could use fewer labels overall. It reduced their labeling costs and the time and labor needed to apply the labels. 2-1/4″ x 1-1/4″ Direct Thermal Labels – 1″ Core 2.25″ x 1.25″ Direct Thermal Labels 1,000 labels per roll Perfect for printing barcodes and labeling products SHOP NOW 3. Potential for Bulk Discounts and Long-Term Cost Savings Lastly, thermal labels can lead to bulk discounts and long-term cost savings. Many thermal label suppliers like our company offer discounts for purchasing your labels in bulk printer rolls, which can help lower your cost per thermal roll. At enKo Products, we believe that thermal printing offer a strong potential for synergy with businesses seeking to leverage bulk purchasing discounts and realize sustainable cost savings over the long term. As a reputable supplier of thermal labels, we offer a range of pricing programs designed to suit your unique business requirements, including customized bulk pricing. By purchasing your thermal labels in bulk, you can significantly reduce your cost per label, and we are committed to working with you to create a pricing program that aligns with your business goals. Don’t hesitate to contact us today to discuss how we can help you achieve your labeling objectives while maximizing your savings potential. Additionally, because thermal printers require less maintenance and have fewer parts to replace, the overall cost of ownership is often lower in the long run. In addition to lower upfront costs, using thermal labels can reduce labeling costs. Thermal printing creates labels directly on paper without using expensive ink and toner, allowing you to save thousands of dollars every year. Labels from thermal printers are also more durable and provide better readability, making them very cost-effective. RELATED ARTICLES What are Direct Thermal Labels How to Print Barcode Labels from Excel and Word How to Print Shipping Labels for Small Businesses Benefits of Thermal Labels for Printing Thermal labels offer many benefits for small businesses looking to streamline operations, reduce costs, and improve efficiency. From faster printing speeds to reduced waste and material costs, thermal labels are a smart investment for any small business owner. By implementing a thermal label system, businesses can increase productivity, reduce errors, and enhance their brand image. We encourage all small business owners to consider the advantages of thermal labels and explore their options. With the right thermal printing system, businesses can improve their bottom line and take their operations to the next level. Tags: Barcode GuideBusiness TipsDirect Thermal LabelsShipping Labelszebra direct thermal labels Gene Paul Lim
