The Real Cost Savings of In-House Short-Run Digital Printing

Let’s be honest—printing short-run labels shouldn’t cost you a fortune.
But for many businesses, it still does. If you’re constantly outsourcing small batch labels for new SKUs, seasonal promos, or client variations, you’re probably paying more than you realize—and waiting longer than you should.

You’re not alone. Many growing brands and manufacturers start this way, but eventually hit the same wall: high setup fees, rigid minimum orders, delays, and waste.

Here’s the good news: it doesn’t have to be that way.

With in-house short-run digital printing, you can take back control—and save a surprising amount of money in the process. In this post, we’ll walk you through the real cost-saving benefits of printing in-house, and why it might be one of the smartest investments your business can make this year.

Why Outsourcing Short Runs Gets Expensive—Fast

Let’s look at what actually happens when you outsource short-run labels.

Even if you’re only printing 500 labels, you’re still paying for:

Setup and plate fees (especially with flexo or offset printing)
Minimum order quantities (which often exceed what you really need)
Shipping and logistics costs
Rush fees for last-minute changes
Excess inventory that may never get used

Sound familiar?

For businesses dealing with multiple SKUs, frequent label updates, or customer-specific branding, these costs add up quickly—and eat into your margins.

How In-House Digital Printing Turns That Around

Imagine being able to print exactly what you need, right when you need it. No plates. No delays. No over-ordering.

That’s the beauty of in-house digital printing. Whether you’re producing 50 or 5,000 labels, the cost per unit stays consistent, and you’re in complete control.

With solutions like the ArrowJet Aqua 330R, ArrowJet Nova 250R, or the powerhouse ArrowJet Bolt, you can:

Eliminate outsourcing delays
Avoid paying for more than you need
Adapt to changes on the fly
Deliver faster to market

All while maintaining professional-grade print quality that’s built to impress.

Let’s Break Down the Real Savings

1. No Setup or Plate Costs

Every outsourced label job starts with prep—plates, registration, proofing, setup time. It’s expensive, especially for short runs.

With digital printing? That’s all gone.
Just upload your file and hit print.

2. No Minimums, No Overruns

Why order 2,000 labels when you only need 400? In-house printing means you print what you need, when you need it. No waste, no excess inventory, no unnecessary spending.

3. Reduced Labor & Logistics

Managing external print vendors takes time: approvals, revisions, shipments, follow-ups. With your own machine, those steps vanish. Your team works faster, and your operations stay lean.

4. Customization Without the Cost

Need different SKUs, Variable data, or regional versions? In-house digital makes personalization easy—and cost-effective. No need to batch jobs or pay for separate print runs.

5. Speed That Pays Off

Time is money. The faster you can launch a new product, respond to demand, or update your packaging, the more agile your business becomes. That’s a major competitive advantage—and a measurable ROI.

Built for Any Size Business

Whether you’re a startup scaling quickly or a manufacturer handling dozens of product lines, there’s an ArrowJet solution to match your needs:

ArrowJet Nova 250R – A compact, all-in-one print-and-cut system perfect for short runs and private label products.

ArrowJet Aqua 330R – High-speed, water-based pigment printing with exceptional resolution and durability.

ArrowJet Bolt – Industrial-grade output with inline priming and varnishing for large-scale operations that need speed and quality.

ArrowEZcut 350R – Add this for inline finishing—lamination, die-cutting, slitting, and rewinding—all in one seamless workflow.

Together, these systems offer a scalable way to streamline your label production while reducing operational costs across the board.

Don’t Forget the Sustainability Factor

Today, sustainability isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a business imperative.
Our ArrowJet printers use water-based inks that are:

Low in VOCs
Safe for food and cosmetics
Compliant with environmental standards

You’ll reduce waste, avoid hazardous materials, and show your customers you’re committed to clean, conscious production—all while saving money.

Final Thoughts: Why Now Is the Right Time

If you’re still outsourcing short-run labels, there’s never been a better time to make the switch.
In-house digital printing gives you:

Lower per-label costs
Faster turnaround times
Full creative control
Less waste and better inventory management
Greater agility for growing product lines

And the numbers speak for themselves. When you factor in the hidden costs of outsourcing, most businesses find that their in-house printer pays for itself faster than expected.