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Online printing vs traditional label manufacturer: which supplier is right for your labels?



Online letterpress vs. traditional label maker: which supplier to choose for your labels?

Index

  • Introduction

  • Print Quality and Customisation

  • Technical Consultancy and Preliminary Analysis

  • Certifications and Regulatory Compliance

  • Flexibility and Production Management

  • Traceability, Safety and After-Sales Support

  • Conclusions


Introduction

When it comes to printing labels for your products, choosing the right supplier is crucial.On one hand, you have online printers—fast and inexpensive. On the other, industrial label manufacturers—specialised in technical solutions, certified materials and consistent long-term quality.

But which is the best choice for your business?

In this article, we’ll explore the main differences between these two label printing options to help you make an informed decision based on your company's real needs.


1. Print quality and customisation

Online printing services offer standardised solutions, often based on preset configurations with limited customisation.

A professional industrial label manufacturer, on the other hand, guides you in selecting materials, finishes and formats—even for products with complex shapes or special requirements (e.g., refrigeration, food contact, exposure to moisture or frost).


2. Consulenza tecnica e analisi preventiva

Online printers are mainly designed for individual users with a few products to label. There’s almost never direct contact, and aspects like compatibility with packaging lines or challenging surfaces are rarely assessed.However, when you have thousands of products to label—and especially strict regulations to follow (as with food labels)—online printers are unable to meet those requirements.


A professional label manufacturer starts with consultation. With us, you can count on technical guidance from the outset.Our experts help you:

  • Assess the most suitable materials;

  • Analyse the usage context;

  • Prevent issues during application;

  • Ensure compliance with regulations (food, pharmaceutical, wine, etc.).


3. Certifications and Regulatory Compliance

Online printers are not always able to guarantee certified materials or traceable processes. This can become a serious issue if you operate in regulated industries such as food, pharma or cosmetics, where high standards are often required.

A professional label manufacturer should hold multiple certifications that demonstrate print quality.


At Alkam, we have earned several recognitions:

  • We are FSC® certified;

  • We are ISO 9001 certified;

  • We are authorised for MOCA labelling for products in contact with food.


4. Flexibility and Production Management

An online printer works with standardised processes: out-of-format modifications are difficult, response times are long, and quality control is often lacking.

In contrast, an industrial label manufacturer is equipped to handle complex orders, even highly customised ones, and large recurring supplies.Production is internal and traceable: every roll is coded, and every order is documented.


5.Traceability, Safety and After-Sales Support

Label printing isn’t just about looks—it’s a technical responsibility.A faulty label can:

  • Disrupt automatic packaging;

  • Cause line rejections;

  • Damage your brand image.

With us, you’ll always have a dedicated point of contact, post-sales support, and free samples for application testing. You can also rely on complete traceability of materials and printed batches.


6. Conclusions

If you're looking for cheap and standard labels, an online print shop might be a temporary solution.But if your company values quality, safety, and product differentiation, the right choice is to rely on an industrial label manufacturer.

With our cross-sector experience and in-house technical department, we guarantee:

  • Certified and high-performance materials;

  • Personalised consultancy and analysis;

  • Full documentation support for regulated industries;

  • Controlled and traceable production.

Want to improve the performance of your labels? Contact us by clicking here.

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