ArrowJet vs Traditional Label Press: What You Need to Know

You’re facing a familiar challenge. Deadlines are tight, SKUs keep multiplying, and your label supplier just pushed your delivery another two weeks. You’re stuck—again—waiting on an outdated process that simply can’t keep pace with today’s fast-moving, customization-hungry market.

Sound familiar? If you’re relying on a traditional label press, these kinds of delays aren’t just frustrating—they’re costly. From long setup times and high minimum order quantities to limited flexibility in design changes, traditional printing often slows your business down when it should be helping you grow.

That’s where ArrowJet comes in—bringing speed, flexibility, and digital precision to your label printing process.

So if you’re wondering whether it’s time to shift from traditional methods to digital innovation, here’s what you need to know about ArrowJet vs Traditional Label Press systems—and why more brands are making the switch.

What’s Holding You Back: The Pain Points of Traditional Label Presses

Let’s start with what’s familiar—and what’s frustrating.

Traditional flexographic or offset label presses are built for long runs. They require:

Lengthy setup times (think plates, ink mixing, registration)
High minimum quantities to make jobs cost-effective
Costly tooling and make-ready waste
Slow turnaround for custom or short-run jobs
Frequent downtime when switching between SKUs or designs

For high-volume, static label jobs, this might work. But in today’s world of short runs, frequent design changes, private labeling, and personalization, these machines can become bottlenecks instead of enablers.

Enter ArrowJet: Your Digital Solution for a Fast-Paced Market

ArrowJet printing systems—including the ArrowJet Aqua 330R, Nova 250R, and high-speed Bolt—are built to solve the very problems traditional presses can’t. Powered by advanced Memjet technology and engineered for precision and scalability, ArrowJet systems give you the freedom to print what you need, when you need it, and how you want it.

Here’s how ArrowJet compares to traditional label presses across key areas:

1. Setup Time & Changeover

Traditional Press:
You need plates, make-ready sheets, and manual registration. Changing jobs can take hours—and that’s if nothing goes wrong.

ArrowJet:
Zero plates. Zero setup headaches. Switch from one design to another in minutes, not hours. Ideal for brands managing multiple SKUs or seasonal packaging.

2. Short Runs & Customization

Traditional Press:
Short runs aren’t cost-effective. You often have to overorder or pay a premium to make it work.

ArrowJet:
Print exactly what you need—whether that’s 100 labels or 100,000. With built-in Variable data printing, you can personalize each label in a single pass.

3. Print Quality

Traditional Press:
Quality can be excellent, but it depends heavily on operator skill, plate condition, and ink consistency.

ArrowJet:
Delivers consistent, 1600 x 1600 dpi high-resolution printing with vibrant colors and crisp details—thanks to advanced water-based pigment inks and Memjet DuraFlex™ technology.

4. Sustainability & Ink Composition

Traditional Press:
Solvent-based inks and plate waste make for a less eco-friendly process, with high VOC emissions and challenging cleanup.

ArrowJet:
Uses water-based inks that are low-VOC, food-safe, and environmentally responsible. Plus, less waste means a smaller carbon footprint.

You can even integrate inline priming and varnishing to enhance substrate compatibility and add gloss or matte finishes—all in one pass, no secondary equipment needed.

5. Operational Cost

Traditional Press:
High upfront and ongoing costs—think plates, maintenance, labor, and waste.

ArrowJet:
Lower total cost of ownership. No plates. Less labor. Reduced waste. Plus, the ability to print on-demand reduces inventory and storage costs.

Inline Finishing with ArrowEZcut 350R

Pair your ArrowJet system with the ArrowEZcut 350R for a seamless end-to-end workflow. Laminate, die-cut, slit, and rewind—all inline, without slowing down production. It’s a complete finishing solution designed for today’s agile production needs.

So, Who Should Choose ArrowJet?

ArrowJet is perfect for:

Brands managing multiple SKUs or private-label clients
Companies needing short-run flexibility
Industries like food, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and craft beverages
Print shops looking to expand digital capabilities without massive learning curves

Whether you choose the compact ArrowJet Nova 250R, the high-resolution Aqua 330R, or the industrial-speed Bolt, you’re investing in a system that’s built for speed, flexibility, and future growth.

ArrowJet Aqua 330R

ArrowJet Nova 250R

Final Verdict: ArrowJet Is the Modern Press Your Business Deserves

The world has changed—and so have your label requirements. The demand for customization, faster delivery, and sustainability isn’t going away. Traditional presses may have their place, but if you’re aiming to stay competitive, reduce waste, and move faster, ArrowJet is the future-forward solution you’ve been looking for.

So the real question isn’t “Should I go digital?”—it’s “How much longer can I afford not to?