I. Label Quality
Material Quality
There are various types of label materials, such as paper, plastic, and fabric. For paper labels, the thickness (gram weight) of the paper should be considered. Thicker paper is usually more durable and suitable for long-term use or pasting in relatively rough environments. For example, for the labels of outdoor products, thick cardboard labels can better withstand wind and rain. Quality is an important prerequisite for making good labels. When customers customize labels, it is necessary to screen out label packaging that suits their tastes according to the products, product features, product styles, and product advantages. For example, in the cosmetics industry, when designing the label packaging for eyeshadow palettes, art paper can be used. Since the target audience of cosmetics is young women, when using cosmetics, paper that better matches the style of the product should be chosen as much as possible. Another example is that for some skin care products, essences, creams, etc., when pasting labels on the bottles, the pasted labels should be as waterproof and moisture-proof as possible, because consumers are very likely to get them wet when using these cosmetics. Therefore, waterproof and moisture-proof labels should be used to prevent the labels from falling off during use.
The materials of plastic labels include PVC, PET, etc. PVC labels are relatively soft and have a certain degree of elasticity, while PET labels are tougher and have good transparency. If the label needs to be waterproof and moisture-proof, like the label on the body of a cosmetic bottle, PET material may be a better choice. The labels used for customers’ products should be selected and recommended professionally. For example,
Fabric labels are often used for products such as clothing. The composition and weaving density of the fabric should be considered. For example, pure cotton fabric labels have good moisture absorption and are comfortable to wear, but may not be as crisp as polyester-cotton blended labels.
Printing Quality
Printing clarity is the key. The text and patterns on the label should be clearly distinguishable without blurring, ghosting or color fading. This is crucial for displaying product information, such as the ingredient list and expiration date on food labels. Clear printing is very important, especially for printing on some medicines. If the printing is not clear and the information on the medicine cannot be read clearly, it is very likely to cause accidental ingestion and have a negative impact and harm on consumers. In addition, for some products, if consumers don’t know how to use them, the instructions on the label should be clearly stated and printed clearly so as to provide usage help to consumers.
Color accuracy is also important. The color of the label needs to meet the brand image and design requirements. Some brands have specific color standards, and the label colors printed by the factory should match them. The factory can be asked to provide color samples for comparison, or refer to the internationally common PANTONE color standard. The use of colors is very important for products and plays a decisive role in the brand image of products. For example, Hermès always uses orange for its external label packaging. The orange color gives people a warm, noble, luxurious, lively and high-spirited feeling. Moreover, the orange used by Hermès is very uniform and bright. Therefore, people often talk about Hermès’ packaging being orange, and this color is very eye-catching and gives a warm feeling. Now when people mention orange, they will think of the Hermès brand, which has established an image in the market or in the minds of consumers.
The durability of ink cannot be ignored either. Labels may be exposed to different environmental factors, such as friction, light, and chemicals. High-quality ink can ensure the integrity of the color and content of the label within a certain period of time. For example, the ink used for labels on auto parts needs to be able to withstand the erosion of chemicals such as engine oil.
Adhesive Strength
Different products have different requirements for label adhesiveness. For products that need to be pasted for a long time and cannot fall off easily, such as the nameplate labels of electronic equipment, high-viscosity glue is required.
While for some temporary labels, such as promotional labels, only weak adhesiveness may be needed to make it convenient for consumers to peel them off. The surface material to which the label is pasted also needs to be considered. For example, the requirements for adhesiveness will be different when pasting labels on smooth plastic surfaces and rough wooden surfaces.
II. Cost Factors
Unit Price Cost
Compare the unit prices of labels provided by different factories. This requires comprehensive consideration of factors such as the size, material, and printing process of the labels. For example, the unit price of labels using the complex hot stamping printing process will be higher than that of ordinary printed labels. Meanwhile, the batch size will also affect the unit price. Generally speaking, the larger the purchase quantity, the lower the unit cost may be.
Transportation Cost
The geographical location of the factory will affect the transportation cost. If the factory is far from the wholesaler’s warehouse, the transportation cost may increase. Moreover, different transportation methods (such as land transportation, air transportation, etc.) have different costs. For urgent label orders, a faster but more expensive transportation method may need to be chosen.
Potential Cost
The cost brought by the possible defective rate should be considered. If the defective rate of the labels produced by the factory is high, the wholesaler may need to bear additional costs, such as the costs of reprocessing or scrapping. In addition, some labels may need special packaging to prevent damage during transportation and storage, which will also generate additional packaging costs.
III. Production Capacity and Delivery Time
Production Capacity
Understand the equipment situation of the factory, including the advanced level and quantity of printing equipment, cutting equipment, etc. Advanced equipment can ensure higher production efficiency and better quality control. For example, a factory equipped with digital printing machines can adjust the printing content more quickly and is suitable for the production of small batches and diversified labels. To improve production capacity, efforts should be made in both equipment and labor. Purchase the latest equipment, that is, the equipment should be high-end and at the forefront of the times. Only when the technology keeps up can the production efficiency be improved. In addition, management should also be carried out on managers. Redundant positions should be streamlined, and employees should be managed with high-efficiency management as much as possible.
The number and technical level of factory workers are also crucial. Skilled workers can ensure the smooth progress of the production process and improve production efficiency. If the factory workers are inexperienced, it may lead to production delays or quality problems. Manage workers with high efficiency. For example, implement a system of clear rewards and punishments for employees. Set up a reward mechanism if the work requirements are met, and a punishment mechanism if the requirements and results are not achieved.
Delivery Time Guarantee
It is very important to clarify the delivery date of the labels. Wholesalers need to determine the appropriate delivery time according to their own sales plans and inventory situations. Ensure that the factory can deliver on time to avoid affecting product sales due to insufficient label supply. The liability for breach of contract for delayed delivery can be stipulated in the contract to restrain the factory.
IV. Compliance and Environmental Protection
Regulatory Compliance
Product labels in different industries have different regulatory requirements. For example, food labels need to comply with relevant food safety regulations and mark information such as the food name, ingredient list, net content, production date, etc. Drug labels have even stricter regulations, including the generic name of the drug, ingredients, properties, indications, etc. Wholesalers should ensure that the labels produced by the factories comply with relevant industry regulations.
Environmental Protection Requirements
With the enhancement of environmental awareness, more and more enterprises are concerned about the environmental protection of labels. Consider whether the label materials are recyclable and whether environmentally friendly inks are used. For example, some European countries have strict environmental protection requirements for the labels of imported products, requiring that the label materials be biodegradable.
