Still relying on manual label production in 2025? You might be losing more money than you think.
With rising demand for short-run, customized labels and flexible packaging, brands and converters alike are feeling the pressure to deliver faster and cheaper—without compromising on quality. But automation often sounds expensive.
Here’s the good news: label production automation in 2025 doesn’t have to cost a fortune. With smarter tech, modular digital systems, and streamlined workflows, even small businesses can scale operations without burning through capital.
In this post, we’ll explore affordable ways to automate label production, whether you’re a growing brand or a print service provider looking to boost efficiency.
Before diving into the how, let’s quickly talk about the why. Traditional Label production is often slow, wasteful, and limited in flexibility. Whether it’s setting up plates, managing changeovers, or dealing with inventory storage, the process eats up valuable time and resources.
By contrast, automating your label workflow allows you to:
And perhaps most importantly, it gives you complete control over your production timeline—a game-changer in industries where speed and responsiveness are critical.
One of the biggest myths in print production is that digital printers are too expensive to justify unless you’re running massive volumes. That may have been true years ago, but not in 2025.
Today’s digital label printers are compact, efficient, and surprisingly affordable—especially for brands or converters dealing with short runs or frequent design changes.
When selecting a digital label printer that won’t break the bank, look for these key features:
One standout option is the ArrowJet Aqua 330R, a compact single-pass digital inkjet printer built for businesses that want to bring production in-house. It offers exceptional print quality, uses Nestlé-compliant water-based inks, and supports a wide range of label applications—all at a fraction of the cost of traditional label presses.
Printing is just the beginning. To fully automate, you’ll need a finishing system that can laminate, cut, slit, and rewind your labels efficiently.
Gone are the days when finishing equipment required large capital investment and complex die-cut setups. Modern digital finishers are modular, compact, and designed to work seamlessly with digital printers—meaning no tooling, no dies, and minimal waste.
Here’s what to look for in a digital label finisher:
A great budget-conscious option is the Arrow EZCut 350R. It’s user-friendly, compact, and includes everything you need for finishing labels after printing—making it an ideal step toward full automation.
If you’re aiming for peak productivity with minimal touchpoints, inline print-and-cut systems are your best bet. These all-in-one machines combine printing and finishing into a single pass, allowing you to produce labels that are printed, cut, and ready to apply without manual intervention between stages.
These systems dramatically reduce production time, eliminate the need for separate operators or machines, and reduce errors. They’re also ideal for handling multiple SKUs or versions of the same product packaging—common scenarios in food, beverage, and health industries.
The ArrowJet Nova 250R, for example, is a compact inline system that offers high-resolution CMYK printing and laser die-cutting all in one unit. It’s designed for converters and businesses looking to streamline operations, cut waste, and speed up turnaround—all while maintaining top-tier print quality.
While hardware handles the physical side of automation, software takes care of the digital flow—and the two should work hand-in-hand.
Modern workflow software lets you:
Many new digital label printers and finishers come with integrated workflow solutions, reducing the need for expensive third-party systems. Make sure the software is scalable, user-friendly, and capable of integrating with your sales and inventory systems.
In short, software acts as the brain behind your automated production—saving time, avoiding confusion, and improving accuracy from file to finish.
It’s tempting to think automation requires a complete overhaul. The truth is, most successful businesses take a modular approach, starting with their most pressing pain points and building from there.
Here’s a smart automation roadmap:
you avoid large upfront costs while still moving steadily toward full automation.
One of the often-overlooked benefits of label automation is the ability to print exactly what you need, when you need it. On-demand printing eliminates the need to stockpile pre-printed labels, which can expire, become outdated, or take up valuable warehouse space.
Instead of ordering thousands of labels per SKU, you can produce short runs based on real-time demand. This is especially valuable for seasonal products, limited editions, or brands with frequently changing artwork and compliance requirements.
In 2025, automating your label production doesn’t require massive budgets or industrial-scale operations. With the right digital printer, modular finishing solutions, and workflow software, any business can improve productivity, reduce costs, and deliver better labels faster.
Whether you’re a brand looking to bring printing in-house or a print shop wanting to expand your capabilities, it’s time to take advantage of the technology that makes automation affordable, scalable, and incredibly efficient.
We help businesses of all sizes find the perfect digital printing and finishing solutions. If you’re ready to streamline your label production and reduce your overhead, let’s talk.
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