The Advantages of Using Colour Label Printers in Your Business

In today’s fast-moving business world, every label does more than just identify a product—it communicates quality, brand identity, and compliance. As industries evolve and consumers expect greater transparency and personalization, the need for professional, high-quality labels has never been more important. That’s where colour label printers come in.

At DuraFast Label Company, we’ve seen a major shift in how businesses approach labelling. The move from outsourcing label production to bringing it in-house with digital colour printers has revolutionized flexibility, creativity, and cost-efficiency. Companies of all sizes are discovering that colour printing not only improves their visual presentation but also strengthens compliance and operational control.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how colour label printers work, what advantages they bring to your business, and which models offer the best performance for modern labelling needs. 

Why Colour Label Printing Matters

For years, many companies relied on pre-printed labels or monochrome thermal printers to manage their labelling needs. While effective for basic identification, these methods often lacked the vibrancy and flexibility required for competitive branding.

Colour labels play a crucial role in catching attention, conveying information, and ensuring products stand out on crowded shelves. In sectors like retail, food and beverage, healthcare, and manufacturing, colour not only enhances brand appeal—it improves functionality. From hazard symbols to batch codes and expiration dates, colour helps communicate vital information quickly and clearly.

With in-house colour printing, you can:

• Produce full-colour labels on demand.
• Update label designs instantly without minimum order quantities.
• Customize packaging for seasonal or promotional products.
• Print variable data such as barcodes, QR codes, and regulatory marks alongside branded graphics.

This ability to print exactly what you need, when you need it, reduces waste, accelerates production, and improves quality control—making it an essential upgrade for any modern business.

How Colour Label Printers Work

Colour label printers use advanced inkjet or toner-based technology to reproduce full-spectrum graphics directly onto blank label media. The most popular systems for commercial use today are Memjet and LED toner printers, each offering distinct advantages.

Memjet colour printers use high-speed inkjet heads to deliver exceptional colour accuracy and resolution. They’re perfect for businesses needing vivid, detailed labels at impressive speeds. Printers like the VIPColor VP500 Memjet Colour Label Printer are ideal for medium to large-scale operations where both quality and efficiency matter.

On the other hand, LED toner printers, such as the UniNet iColor 700 Colour Label Printer, use heat-based toner fusion to produce durable, smudge-resistant prints suitable for a wide range of materials, including matte, glossy, and synthetic labels. They excel in environments requiring waterproof, chemical-resistant, or highly durable labels.

The technology you choose depends on your production environment, label materials, and desired finish. Both options deliver professional-grade output that rivals outsourced print jobs—without the delays or recurring costs.

1. Enhanced Branding and Shelf Appeal

One of the most significant benefits of colour label printers is the ability to produce vibrant, professional labels that strengthen your brand identity.

A label is often the first thing a customer notices. It conveys your product’s quality and story in an instant. Colour allows you to create designs that align with your brand’s personality—whether minimalist and modern or bright and energetic. When printed in-house, your labels can reflect brand updates, promotions, or new product lines immediately, without waiting for third-party print runs.

For example, food and beverage companies often need to adjust labels for seasonal flavours or limited editions. With an in-house colour label printer like the VIPColor VP660 Memjet Colour Label Printer, they can easily adapt packaging designs without expensive setup fees or delays.

The ability to print full-colour graphics, logos, and variable data gives brands complete creative freedom—ensuring consistency across SKUs and packaging formats while maintaining that all-important visual appeal.

2. Greater Flexibility and On-Demand Control

Traditional label production often involves ordering thousands of pre-printed labels in bulk, leading to waste when designs change or new product variants are introduced. Colour label printers eliminate that limitation by letting you print exactly what you need, when you need it.

This flexibility is particularly valuable for:

• Short production runs – Ideal for small businesses, startups, or product testing phases.
• Private labelling – Print different branding for multiple clients without switching suppliers.
• Regulatory updates – Instantly modify text, icons, or warnings to stay compliant.

At DuraFast Label Company, we’ve helped businesses transition to in-house colour printing and immediately cut costs associated with outsourcing and label obsolescence. Being able to print multiple designs in one session saves time and allows teams to operate more independently. 

3. Improved Compliance and Clarity 

In industries governed by strict labelling regulations—such as chemicals, food production, or healthcare—accuracy and legibility are non-negotiable. Colour label printers allow you to incorporate regulatory symbols and safety information directly into your designs, ensuring compliance with local and international standards.

For instance, GHS (Globally Harmonized System) chemical labels require specific colour-coded hazard diamonds to communicate risks. Pre-printing such labels is expensive and prone to waste, but with a colour label printer, you can generate compliant designs on demand, tailored to your batch or shipment.

Similarly, pharmaceutical and nutraceutical manufacturers benefit from clear, colour-coded identifiers that reduce dispensing errors and support traceability. With modern printers offering resolutions of 1600 DPI or higher, every line of text and barcode remains crisp and machine-readable.

4. Cost Savings Over Time

Many companies assume that in-house colour printing is expensive. In reality, modern colour label printers are remarkably economical compared to outsourcing—especially when accounting for setup costs, minimum order quantities, and delivery times.

The initial investment in hardware is quickly offset by the savings achieved through on-demand printing, reduced waste, and better inventory control. There’s no need to store large quantities of pre-printed labels, and any last-minute design changes can be made without incurring reprint costs.

For businesses that frequently update their branding or product information, this flexibility translates into significant long-term cost savings. Models like the VIPColor VP500 and VP660 are designed for precisely this kind of efficient, high-volume, yet cost-effective operation.

5. Speed and Productivity

In-house colour printing also dramatically improves turnaround times. Instead of waiting days—or even weeks—for a print supplier, you can produce hundreds of labels per minute with vivid, professional quality.

Printers such as the VIPColor VP660 are built for high-speed production while maintaining accuracy and colour depth. This means you can meet tight deadlines, manage urgent orders, or accommodate last-minute design changes effortlessly.

The ability to control production internally also reduces bottlenecks between departments. Marketing, quality control, and production teams can collaborate more closely, ensuring every label meets both brand and compliance requirements before it reaches the shelf.

6. Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Printing

Sustainability is an increasing concern for modern consumers and businesses alike. Colour label printers help support green initiatives by minimizing waste and improving resource efficiency.

Because you print only the labels you need, you avoid overproduction and the disposal of obsolete stock. Many modern printers, like the UniNet iColor 700, also use eco-friendly toners and energy-efficient technology, further reducing your carbon footprint.

Additionally, DuraFast offers a range of recyclable label materials and durable vinyl options that work seamlessly with our colour printers—helping you align operational efficiency with environmental responsibility.

7. Customization and Variable Data Printing

A major advantage of digital colour printing is its ability to handle variable data—unique information printed on each label. This includes serial numbers, expiry dates, QR codes, barcodes, and personalized product information.

Variable data printing enables complete traceability while opening creative opportunities for personalization. For instance, beverage companies can customize labels with customer names or messages, while logistics firms can print individual tracking codes for real-time scanning.

With modern colour label printers, you don’t need to sacrifice design for functionality. You can combine rich graphics with variable data seamlessly in one pass, maintaining both aesthetics and accuracy.

8. Versatility Across Materials and Applications

One of the reasons businesses choose colour label printers from DuraFast Label Company is their compatibility with a wide range of materials. From glossy paper and matte finishes to waterproof synthetics and clear films, our printers deliver exceptional results on nearly any substrate.

The UniNet iColor 700, for example, can print on polyester, vinyl, and polypropylene materials, making it suitable for applications like:

• Food and beverage packaging
• Cosmetic and personal care labels
• Chemical and industrial labelling
• Pharmaceutical and medical packaging
• Retail and logistics

With such versatility, one printer can serve multiple departments or product lines—simplifying supply chains and improving ROI.

9. Professional Quality That Builds Trust

 

Customers associate professional-quality labels with trustworthy products. Sharp graphics, consistent colours, and premium finishes all contribute to perceived value. When your labels look good, your brand looks good.

At DuraFast, we’ve seen how businesses transform their market presence simply by upgrading their label printing quality. A well-printed, vibrant label communicates care, precision, and credibility—qualities that influence purchasing decisions and customer loyalty.

Printers like the VIPColor VP500 and VP660 produce photo-quality results with rich colour depth and precise detail, rivalling commercial offset printing. For small to medium-sized businesses, this levels the playing field with larger competitors without the cost of outsourced print runs.

10. Seamless Integration and Support

Implementing a new printer system can seem daunting, but modern colour label printers are built for ease of use. They integrate seamlessly with popular design software, including NiceLabel and Bartender, allowing users to design and print labels directly from their desktop applications.

At DuraFast Label Company, we provide full support—from setup and calibration to workflow optimization—so your transition to in-house colour printing is smooth and stress-free. Our team helps businesses integrate printers into their existing ERP or inventory management systems, ensuring real-time data flow and consistency across all labels.

Our Top Recommendations

If you’re considering investing in a colour label printer, here are three exceptional models we recommend based on your needs:

1. VIPColor VP500 Memjet Colour Label Printer

View Product ›
Ideal for small to mid-sized businesses, the VP500 combines high-speed Memjet technology with a compact design. It’s perfect for printing vivid, durable labels with incredible detail, producing up to 8 inches per second.

2. VIPColor VP660 Memjet Colour Label Printer

View Product ›
Designed for heavy-duty use, the VP660 offers water- and moisture-resistant labels suitable for food, beverage, and chemical applications. Its superior print quality and fast throughput make it a powerhouse for production lines.

3. UniNet iColor 700 Colour Label Printer

View Product ›
For businesses requiring extreme durability and flexibility, the iColor 700’s toner-based system delivers smudge-proof, fade-resistant prints on a vast range of materials—including synthetics, metallics, and clear films.

Each of these printers offers unique advantages depending on your industry and label requirements. Our specialists can help you assess your volume, materials, and workflow to choose the perfect model for your business.

Colour label printing is no longer a luxury—it’s a competitive advantage. From branding and compliance to efficiency and sustainability, the benefits are clear. Businesses that invest in in-house colour label printers gain complete control over their production, improve accuracy, and project a stronger, more professional brand image.

At DuraFast Label Company, we’re proud to help businesses in Canada unlock the full potential of colour printing. Whether you’re upgrading from black-and-white labels or transitioning from outsourced printing, our range of professional printers—including the VIPColor VP500, VIPColor VP660, and UniNet iColor 700—offers everything you need to bring your labels to life.

Our team provides end-to-end support—from product selection and installation to ongoing maintenance—ensuring your investment delivers maximum return. We believe that great labels build great brands, and with our solutions, you can print them in-house, on demand, and in full colour.

If you’re ready to elevate your labelling to the next level, contact us today. Let’s build a custom printing solution that enhances your brand, streamlines operations, and keeps your business compliant, efficient, and visually stunning.

Contact DuraFast Label Company to speak with our experts and find the perfect colour label printer in Canada for your business.