Why High-Quality Colour Label Printers Are Worth the Investment

In a world where packaging influences purchasing decisions within seconds, your label is often your loudest brand ambassador. Colour, design, and print quality communicate your product’s story before the customer ever reads the details. Investing in high-quality colour label printers ensures that every package you produce reflects your brand’s credibility and professionalism.

At DuraFast Label Company, we’ve seen businesses transform their operations simply by moving from outsourced printing to in-house colour production. What used to take weeks can now be done in hours — at a fraction of the cost. But beyond convenience, it’s the brand consistency, design freedom, and operational control that truly justify the investment.

This article explores why upgrading to a premium colour label printer is one of the smartest business decisions you can make, what to consider before investing, and which models lead the market today. 

Why Colour Printing Is a Game-Changer for Brands

1. Labels Influence Buying Decisions

Studies show that 60–70% of purchasing choices are made at the shelf, and visual design plays a massive role. Vivid, professional labels capture attention and build trust instantly. Whether you sell gourmet sauces, craft beverages, or cosmetics, colour consistency tells your customers that your brand cares about quality.

2. Full Control Over Design and Timing

Outsourcing label printing can slow your operations. If you need to change a barcode, update ingredients, or release a seasonal variant, you’re often forced to wait on suppliers. With a high-quality colour printer, you control design, production volume, and turnaround time — printing the exact number of labels you need, when you need them.

3. Small Batches, Big Savings

Premium colour printers make short runs cost-effective. Instead of ordering 10,000 labels for a product that might soon change, you can print 100 or 500 without waste. This flexibility is invaluable for startups, niche producers, or companies with multiple SKUs.

4. Consistent Branding Across Every Product

Your label colours, fonts, and images are central to brand recognition. A high-resolution printer like the VIPColor VP660 Memjet Color Label Printer (see it here) ensures that your reds stay red, your gradients stay smooth, and your logo never looks faded or misaligned.

Understanding the Technology Behind Premium Colour Label Printers

High-quality colour label printers use advanced inkjet or toner-based technology to produce vibrant, durable, and detailed prints directly on blank label rolls.

Here’s how they differ from basic or outsourced printing methods:

• Inkjet Printers use dye or pigment inks to produce crisp, photographic-quality images. They’re ideal for retail and food products where visual appeal is key.
• Toner-Based Printers (like the UniNet iColor 700) use dry toner for maximum durability, suitable for industrial and compliance labels.
• Memjet Technology (used in VIPColor VP500 and VP660) delivers extremely high-speed printing with stunning colour accuracy — perfect for both small-batch and continuous production.

Unlike desktop inkjets, these professional-grade printers are built for consistent performance, durability, and scalability. 

Evaluating the Investment: What Makes Premium Printers Worth It

1. Print Resolution and Image Quality

The sharpness and clarity of your label define your product’s first impression. Printers like the VIPColor VP500 produce 1,600 × 1,600 dpi output, ensuring professional-grade results that rival commercial print shops.

2. Print Speed and Efficiency

Speed translates to productivity. High-performance models like the VP660 can print up to 12 inches per second — allowing thousands of labels per hour. That means shorter lead times and faster product launches.

3. Durability and Resistance

Pigment-based or toner-based labels resist water, chemicals, and UV exposure. For instance, the UniNet iColor 700 Color Label Printer (view here) produces GHS-compliant chemical labels that withstand moisture, abrasion, and sunlight — critical for industrial or outdoor use.

4. Media Flexibility

High-end printers handle a variety of substrates: glossy paper, matte polypropylene, vinyl, and synthetic materials. This flexibility enables businesses to print anything from luxury cosmetic labels to durable outdoor tags — all in-house.

5. Software Integration and Variable Data

Seamless integration with label-design software such as NiceLabel or BarTender means you can personalize every print. Add barcodes, expiration dates, or serialized QR codes without manual re-entry.

Product Highlights: Three Printers That Deliver Proven ROI

 

1. VIPColor VP500 Memjet Color Label Printer

A compact powerhouse for small-to-medium print volumes. The VP500 prints at 1,600 dpi and delivers bright, precise colour output for retail, food, and personal-care brands. With a fast 8-ips print speed and support for continuous or die-cut rolls, it’s perfect for businesses seeking flexibility without compromising quality.

2. VIPColor VP660 Memjet Color Label Printer

Designed for higher-volume operations, the VP660 offers superior water resistance thanks to its enhanced pigment-based inks. It combines industrial durability with vibrant image clarity, making it ideal for beverage, chemical, and cosmetic labels that must withstand moisture or rough handling.

3. UniNet iColor 700 Color Label Printer

A true production-grade printer for enterprises. Using LED toner technology, it can handle wide label rolls, print white underlays for transparent materials, and deliver long-lasting, waterproof results. The iColor 700 is GHS-compliant and perfect for manufacturers that require full-colour, high-durability labels on demand.

Together, these printers represent the spectrum of premium colour printing — from entry-level professional to industrial powerhouse. 

Real-World ROI: The Tangible Benefits

1. Reduced Outsourcing Costs

When you bring label printing in-house, you eliminate third-party markups, setup fees, and freight costs. For companies printing thousands of labels a month, these savings accumulate rapidly — often covering the cost of the printer within the first year.

2. Faster Time to Market

New product launch? Label revision? Compliance update? Print it immediately. No waiting for external suppliers or minimum order quantities. That agility allows smaller brands to compete effectively against larger players.

3. Zero Obsolete Inventory

Product lines evolve — and so should your packaging. With on-demand colour printing, you only print what’s needed. No more throwing away thousands of outdated labels after a formulation or design update.

4. Consistency and Professionalism

The quality of your label reflects your brand promise. A high-quality printer ensures every batch of labels maintains consistent colour and clarity, reinforcing your brand’s reliability.

5. Environmental Responsibility

Digital, on-demand printing reduces waste, both in unused labels and transportation emissions from repeated supplier shipments. Some models also use eco-friendly inks and energy-efficient components.

Case Example: From Outsourced to In-House Efficiency

A Canadian artisanal beverage company switched from outsourced label printing to a VIPColor VP660. Previously, each batch required a 5,000-label minimum and a two-week turnaround. By printing in-house, they now produce only what they need — about 500 labels per batch — cutting waste by 40% and saving over $6,000 per quarter. They also release limited seasonal designs in days, not weeks.

This kind of agility and cost-efficiency demonstrates exactly why colour label printers in Canada are becoming indispensable to modern production workflows.

Implementation Best Practices

1. Assess Your Volume and Media Needs – Match the printer’s capacity to your monthly label demand and material requirements (paper, synthetic, vinyl, etc.).
2. Calibrate for Colour Consistency – Use ICC profiles and regular calibration to ensure colours remain accurate across print runs.
3. Train Your Staff – Ensure team members understand maintenance, cleaning, and material loading to maximise uptime.
4. Integrate Design Software – Pair the printer with your existing systems to automate data entry for barcodes or expiry dates.
5. Track Costs and Performance – Measure cost per label, ink usage, and maintenance cycles to monitor ROI accurately.
6. Plan for Scalability – Choose a printer that can grow with your business — handling broader label widths or larger roll diameters over time.

When Does the Investment Pay Off?

 

The payback period for most businesses ranges between 6 and 18 months. Here’s why:

• Savings on outsourcing and logistics.
• Reduced label waste.
• Ability to print micro-batches and prototypes.
• Faster product launches generating earlier revenue.
• Improved brand perception leading to higher sales.

The benefits compound over time. Once you have full in-house control, every new product line or marketing change adds incremental value without additional external cost.

Elevate Your Brand with DuraFast Label Company

At DuraFast Label Company, we don’t just sell printers — we deliver solutions. We provide expert guidance, setup support, label materials, and ribbons tailored to your chosen device. Whether you’re a boutique food producer or a large-scale manufacturer, we’ll help you select the right printer and materials to suit your production volume and branding goals.

Explore:

• VIPColor VP500 Memjet Color Label Printer– Ideal for smaller producers seeking premium output.
• VIPColor VP660 Memjet Color Label Printer– Perfect for high-volume, moisture-resistant labels.
• UniNet iColor 700 Color Label Printer– Best for industrial-grade, full-colour production.

If you’re ready to enhance your packaging, streamline your printing, and elevate your brand’s visual identity, contact DuraFast Label Company today. Our team will help you assess your needs, choose the right printer, and start producing vibrant, professional labels that reflect your brand’s excellence.