7 Questions to Ask Before Investing in a New Label Printer

Did you know that 67% of converters say short-run jobs now make up over half of their label business?
With SKU proliferation, seasonal promotions, and consumer personalization, investing in the right label printer isn’t just smart—it’s essential.

Whether you’re a growing label converter, a food and beverage brand, or a pharma manufacturer, choosing the right label printing solution can make or break your operational efficiency, profit margins, and product presentation.

We help brands and converters make informed, future-ready choices in Digital printing. If you’re exploring new technology, here are 7 key questions you must ask before making the investment.

1. What Are Your Labeling Requirements—Today and Tomorrow?

Before even looking at models, define your label output:

Are you printing product labels, compliance labels, or luxury labels?
How many SKUs are in your portfolio? Is your product line expanding?
Do you need short-run, variable data, or just-in-time printing capabilities?
Are your labels used in harsh environments (e.g., chemicals, outdoor, frozen goods)?

For example, pharmaceutical brands require precision, traceability, and microtext for anti-counterfeiting, while food and beverage brands need inks that are food-safe and compliant with regulations like Nestlé Guidance or Swiss Ordinance.

This is where water-based pigment inks shine. Not only do they offer high resolution for microtext and fine detailing, but when they’re Swiss-compliant, they also meet global safety standards—essential for packaging that comes in direct or indirect contact with consumables.

Tip: If your answer includes “high customization,” “short runs,” or “regulatory compliance,” you’re in digital label territory—and ArrowJet’s aqueous pigment printers are built for just that.

2. What Printing Technology Best Aligns With Your Use Case?

There are several technologies available—each with pros and trade-offs:

Inkjet (Aqueous Pigment): Vibrant colors, safe for food and pharma, and great for micro-detailing like batch coding, QR codes, and microtext security printing.
Thermal Transfer: Durable but often slower and better for basic black text labels.
Laser and LED: Sharp output, but may struggle with certain substrates or higher operational costs.

Our water-based pigment inkjet technology isn’t just about image quality—it’s about compliance, safety, and versatility. Our systems utilize Nestlé-compliant and Swiss Ordinance-compliant inks, ideal for highly regulated industries such as pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, infant nutrition, and ready-to-eat foods.

Recommended: If you operate in food, pharma, cosmetics, or supplements, ArrowJet Aqua 330R or ArrowJet Aqua 800M ensure your print meets both regulatory standards and commercial appeal.

3. What Is the True Cost of Ownership?

Don’t let a low upfront cost fool you.

Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) includes:

Ink or ribbon costs
Maintenance and downtime
Waste and media loss during job changeovers
Energy efficiency
Software licenses

Let’s say you’re printing 500,000 labels/month—ink savings alone can amount to thousands over a year. Printers with bulk ink systems, like the ArrowJet Nova 250R, drastically lower cost-per-label compared to cartridge-based systems.

Ask your supplier for a cost-per-label comparison, including consumables and service contracts.

4. Is It Compatible With Your Current Workflow?

This is where many investments fall short.

Ask:

Does it integrate with your label design software (e.g., BarTender, NiceLabel)?
Can it connect with your ERP, MIS, or WMS systems?
Does it support automated job queues, variable data, or inline finishing?

Converters love our modular print-and-cut solutions, such as the ArrowJet Nova 330R, which can seamlessly sync with existing production lines—while brands benefit from web-to-print and SKU versioning tools.

Scalability and automation are key. A good printer should adapt to your growth, not restrict it.

5. Are You Getting the Right Speed & Resolution for Your Business?

Don’t compromise here.

High-resolution (up to 1600 x 1600 dpi) is critical for beauty, wine, or nutraceutical products where visual branding impacts purchase.
High-speed (e.g., 27-45 m/min or more) is non-negotiable if you’re dealing with 1000s of labels per SKU.

ArrowJet Hybrid Pro M and ArrowJet Bolt are built to deliver both: blazing speed and precision for high-volume jobs and vivid branding.

Match speed to your daily output and resolution to your brand image. Don’t settle for less.

6. Can It Handle the Media and Label Types You Use?

Today’s packaging is complex: gloss, matte, synthetics, foils, laminates. Your printer must:

Handle a wide media range (e.g., PET, PP, paper, eco-friendly films)
Print on flexible packaging substrates
Offer unlimited label length and width flexibility
Support inline lamination, varnish, or die-cutting if needed

Arrow’s solutions like the EZCut 350R and Aqua 330R are built for adaptability. With modular design, you can add finishing, slitting, or drying modules as your needs evolve.

If you’re limited by SKUs or packaging formats today, choose a printer that frees you—not one that boxes you in.

7. What Support and Warranty Options Are in Place?

This is your safety net. Consider:

On-site or remote tech support availability
Access to local service technicians
Training programs for your team
Warranty length and coverage for critical components

Arrow Systems doesn’t just sell hardware—we partner with you. Our USA-based support and global service network ensures you’ll never be left hanging during a production crisis.

Remember: Downtime is cost. The right service support = peace of mind + consistent output.

Final Thoughts: The Right Label Printer Is a Growth Engine

Investing in a digital label printer is more than a capital expenditure—it’s a strategic move toward:

Lower operating costs
Reduced lead times
Unlimited SKU flexibility
Sustainable, compliant packaging
Higher brand value through print quality

We’ve helped converters and brands across the globe—from startups to Fortune 500s—transform their operations with our ArrowJet Series, EZCut Finishers and Limitronics

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Whether you’re looking for a short-run digital label printer, a modular print-and-cut solution, or a full-fledged flexible packaging printer, our team is here to help you evaluate what’s right for your goals.

Contact Arrow Systems, Inc. today and let’s find the printer that matches your future—not just your present.