For small businesses looking to print custom color product labels on demand, there are generally two main options: using a commercial printing service or investing in an in-house color label printer. While commercial printing services offer professional results, they often require minimum order quantities, which means you may end up purchasing more labels than you immediately need. This can lead to wasted inventory, especially if your label designs, ingredients, or barcodes change over time.
In addition, commercial printers often charge upfront fees for custom dies, tooling, and setup, making this a costly route for small businesses needing flexibility.
By choosing a color label printer, however, you can avoid these excess costs and print only what you need, whenever you need it. This flexibility allows you to respond quickly to design updates, regulatory changes, and customer demand.
One of the biggest advantages of an on-demand color label printer is the ability to print only what you need, exactly when you need it. This means no excess label stock going to waste, and you can easily update layouts to reflect changes in branding, ingredients, barcodes, or regulatory requirements.
When selecting a color label printer, consider how many labels you expect to print each month, the level of quality you need, and the budget for your labeling project. With the right color label printer, you can achieve professional-quality results, maintain flexibility, and save on costs—all while ensuring your labels are always up-to-date.
When it comes to label printing for small businesses, there’s often a point where it becomes inefficient to rely on office printers or outsource labels, particularly if you’re aiming for professional quality. This shift in needs means deciding whether to outsource label production or invest in an in-house color labeling system. For most companies, taking this next step involves calculating current and future label needs, costs, and the potential for scaling up.
For businesses at this stage, Epson’s ColorWorks lineup offers versatile options. The Epson ColorWorks C4000 and the Epson ColorWorks C6000 Series are two popular choices, each tailored to different volume needs.
Epson ColorWorks C4000 - Compact and Efficient for Small-Scale Labeling
The Epson ColorWorks C4000 is designed with small to medium-sized businesses in mind, especially those who require high-quality labels without extensive volume.
High-Resolution Printing - The C4000 delivers sharp, photo-quality images with a maximum resolution of up to 1200 dpi. This level of detail is perfect for businesses that need clear, vibrant, and professional labels that showcase intricate designs, logos, or images. The printer’s PrecisionCore® TFP® printhead technology ensures smooth gradations, precise barcodes, and fine text details, creating labels that stand out.
Compact and Durable Design - The C4000 is ideal for businesses with limited space. Its compact footprint allows it to fit easily on a countertop or workspace without occupying too much room. It’s engineered to be dust- and water-resistant, making it suitable for commercial environments that require durability.
Ease of Use and Connectivity - Equipped with a color LCD screen, the C4000 is easy to operate. It includes features like automatic Nozzle Verification Technology to maintain print quality with minimal user intervention. Additionally, it supports multiple connectivity options, including optional Wi-Fi, Ethernet, and USB, allowing for flexibility in placement and integration within business networks.
Ink Versatility - The C4000 comes in two versions based on ink types: gloss black or matte black.
- Matte Black Ink: Delivers a deeper, richer black on matte and uncoated paper labels, which is perfect for applications where a strong, high-contrast image is essential.
- Gloss Black Ink: Optimized for gloss label media, it allows printing on a broader range of substrates, making it the go-to choice for high-shine, professional-looking labels. Both ink types meet BS 5609 standards, ensuring durability even in challenging environments
Why Purchase the Epson ColorWorks C4000 Color Label Printer?
The Epson ColorWorks C4000 is a compact, high-quality color label printer ideal for small businesses that need professional-grade labels without the complexities or costs associated with large-scale printing equipment.
Epson ColorWorks C6000 - Scalable and Feature-Rich for High-Volume Needs
For businesses requiring a more extensive labeling solution, the Epson ColorWorks C6000 Series offers a range of options tailored to high-volume, automated printing. Available in 4-inch (C6000) and 8-inch (C6500) print widths, the C6000/C6500 Series is versatile and scalable.
Superior Print Quality and Speed - Like the C4000, the Epson ColorWorks C6000 Series offers up to 1200 dpi resolution, ensuring that images are sharp and colors are vibrant. It also features PrecisionCore® printhead technology, allowing for highly accurate barcodes, logos, and text. With print speeds of up to 5 inches per second, the C6000 Series efficiently handles high-volume printing needs without sacrificing quality.
Automated Workflow Options
- Auto Cutter (C6000A and C6500A): This feature is perfect for creating variable-length labels, allowing businesses to print labels on demand without pre-cut sizes. The auto cutter enables easy separation of continous rolls, making it ideal for scenarios requiring frequent changes in label length.
- Peel-and-Present (C6000P and C6500P): This feature holds each label until removed, allowing for more seamless integration into automated systems. The peel-and-present option enhances productivity by enabling single-label application, which is particularly useful in environments with automated labeling machines
Versatile Ink Options - The C6000 Series also provides a choice between gloss and matte black ink, catering to various labeling needs:
- Matte Black Ink: Ideal for printing on matte media, this ink type provides a darker, sharper black. It’s particularly beneficial for high-contrast applications on matte and uncoated labels.
- Gloss Black Ink: Designed for use with gloss and semi-gloss labels, gloss black ink performs well across a wide range of substrates, making it versatile for product labels that require a polished, professional finish.
Enhanced Remote Management and Connectivity - Epson designed the C6000 Series with enterprise environments in mind. It offers remote printer management tools that allow IT and support teams to monitor multiple devices across a network, manage firmware updates, receive status alerts, and configure settings remotely. The general-purpose I/O port further allows for easy integration into automated workflows, making the C6000 Series a practical choice for scaling operations and managing large fleets of printers.
Why Purchase the Epson ColorWorks C6000 Color Label Printer?
The Epson ColorWorks C6000 Series is a powerful, versatile solution for businesses with high-volume or complex labeling requirements. Available in both 4-inch and 8-inch models, the C6000/C6500 Series offers several features that make it an excellent choice for scaling operations.
Label Rolls for your Color Label Printer
No matter which label printer you decide to go with, it's important to get the right sized label roll for your label printer. Certain label rolls are compatible with specific label printers and you don't want to get caught with the wrong labels for your printing setup.
LabelBasic carries all the popular label roll sizes for all the printers listed here. Orders over $99 dollars qualify for free US shipping. Use coupon code: ENTERPRISELABELS to get 15% off your purchase of blank label rolls during checkout.
Epson ColorWorks CW-C4000
4.8/5
Epson ColorWorks CW-C6000A
4.2/5
Epson ColorWorks CW-C6500A
4.7/5
John McIntyre, Writer
John is a American who grew up to be a nerd with a philosophy degree and too many hobbies to count. He emigrated from California to New York in 2013. While he is not writing he is busy taking care of his two kids Claire and Vicky.