What are the Best Labels & Printers for Your Artisan or Crafting Business?

As a business owner, you’re probably always thinking of new ways to get your products to take off. One of the best ways to make your goods more appealing to consumers is to choose labels that are eye-catching and set you apart from the competition. You also want the label to be appropriate for the type of artisan goods or crafts you’re creating, so it doesn’t fade or peel off over time. That’s where the team at Chicago Color Label comes in! We have all of your craft label needs covered.

Types of Craft & Artisan Labels

When it comes to printable label options for your artisan or crafting business, there are generally two main types: paper and synthetic.

Paper Labels

As you might have guessed, paper labels are made from paper substrates and can vary in terms of color, thickness, and coating.

Some great options for paper labels include:

• White Matte Paper – Very standard with a matte finish to give a more natural look
• Biodegradable Matte Paper – eco-friendly label options for business owners who want to reduce their environmental footprint.
• Linen texture labels – Commonly referred to as “resume paper.” We sell 2 different types of these labels in varying “reliefs” or texture depths.
• Craft labels – A bit like a brown paper bag material, but thicker and smoother. Great for artisan products that need a very earthy, natural look.

Paper labels add a rustic, handcrafted look to crafts and artisan goods, but can be more delicate than film labels. You can use paper labels for the following applications:

• Shipping and packaging, including shipping labels and barcode labels
• Non-perishable goods, including honey, spices, coffee, tea, and canned foods
• Household products and certain cosmetics, such as packaging for wax melts, bath bombs, and bar soaps

Paper labels do not perform as well in higher moisture environments. Products meant to live near a sink (such as hand creams or soap bottles) or in the shower or tub (such as shower gels or shampoo) can soak up any water in the area and act as a tiny sponge. Over time, the paper label can break down and peel off. In these cases, a synthetic label is preferred.

Synthetic Labels

Synthetic labels (BOPP or PET), on the other hand, are made from durable films, such as plastic. They generally offer better resistance to hot/cold temperatures and moisture and don’t fade as easily. For this reason, they’re usually a bit costlier to produce than paper labels. Synthetic labels are great for the following uses:

• Refrigerated foods and beverages, such as wine, BBQ sauce, and beer
• Bath and body products, such as cosmetics, essential oils, perfumes, lip balm, lotions, body scrubs, and shampoo and conditioner

Best Budget-Friendly Entry-Level Printer Models

Chicago Color Label offers a number of entry-level label printers that print both paper and film labels to help growing businesses break into their respective marketplaces. They’re must-haves for Etsy stores and start-up e-commerce businesses that require an affordable yet reliable solution for printing craft labels. Here’s a closer look at some of our star models:

• Afinia L502: Although it’s somewhat low volume, this model creates durable labels when using pigment inks. Pigment inks resist moisture quite well, and are smart options for products that get exposed to hot/cold temperatures or water.
• VIPColor VP550: This model is faster than the L502 and uses dye inks that were designed to be less sensitive to moisture. Dye inks aren’t as inherently moisture-resistant as pigment inks (which is what the L502 uses), but the VP550 is much faster.
• Afinia L801: This model is similar to the VP550 in terms of specs, but the consumables cost a bit less. The model itself is pricier than some available printers on the market, but the total cost of ownership is lower than the L502 and VP550.

Shop Craft Labels & Printers at Chicago Color Label

At Chicago Color Label, you can find the perfect label printer for your business, as well as the label material and style you like best. Choose from styles like Matte White Paper, Brown Kraft Paper, Crystal Pattern Holographic, Satin Polypropylene, and many, many more. No matter which printer you choose, you’ll have a wide range of craft paper labels and film labels available to you — in a plethora of shapes and sizes. Contact us if you have any questions about our printing products.