Cost Comparison: Traditional Foiling Methods vs. LabEx Synthetic Silver Labels

When you see a printed material with a shiny, mirror-like metallic finish, you're likely seeing the magic of foiling. Foiled labels add a "premium look" to products because they catch the light in ways other materials simply can't.

Foiling is a brilliant way to make your prints pop. It adds depth and a crystal-like sparkle to your labels. Foiled labels gleam in the light, giving your printed pieces a luxurious, high-end feel.

And while traditional foiling is a classic choice, it's not always the best fit because of the cost it incurs.

When considering label costs for your products, it's essential to weigh the pros and cons of each option carefully. As you know, in business, every cent counts, right?

As such, whether you're a small business owner or part of a large corporation, selecting a cost-effective or low-cost label printing is, more often than not, the best decision, at least profit-wise. But hey, it's not always about profits, right? You need to find the perfect balance of quality and price. And that's why we're here.

In this article, we will compare traditional foiling methods with LabEx Synthetic Silver Labels and discuss each method's pros and cons so that you can make an informed decision about what works for your business.

Let's delve right in!

Traditional Foiling Methods

When we talk about "traditional foiling," we usually mean hot foil stamping. This process involves using pressure and a heated metal die or plate to apply metallic or special-effect foils to paper or card stock. This technique makes the foiled parts slightly debossed and textured, giving them a unique feel since the foil is hot-pressed onto the paper or card stock.

Moreover, if you want to use multiple colours in your design, you'll need separate metal dies for each colour. These dies are applied one by one to create the final look.

Pros

• Luxurious Finish: Traditional foiling offers a rich, luxurious finish with intricate details and a shiny, metallic look.
• Durability: The foil is robust and long-lasting, making it suitable for high-end products.
• Customisation: Traditional foiled labels allow for custom holographic effects and fine details, making your product stand out.

Cons 

• Time-Intensive: Setting up a hot foil job takes a significant amount of time due to the need for creating die blocks. If you need to place an urgent order at the last minute, this is not for you.
• Labour-Intensive: Skilled technicians are required to operate the machinery, adding to labour costs.
• High Costs: The process involves expensive materials and equipment, making it less cost-effective for short runs.
• Complexity: The need for separate metal dies for each colour in a design adds complexity and cost, especially for multi-colour projects.

Cost 

Between the machinery and materials, the minimum label cost for a traditional label with its custom foil die can range from 250 AUD to 2000 AUD, depending on the size and quality of your finished piece.

LabEx Synthetic Silver Labels 

What if we tell you that you can get that "foil" look without the "golden" price tag? Let us explain. As a supplier to small businesses, we aim to help your products stand out without breaking the bank. We all want high-quality product labels without overspending, right? As a small business ourselves, we get it. We want to sell as many products as possible without compromising on quality. That's why we're here to offer an alternative. Our LabEx Synthetic Silver Labels look similar to a traditional one without the hefty costs.

With this method, we print your product labels on a silver PP or synthetic silver gloss stock. Our Epson SurePress machine prints white over the silver PP stock and then overlays your chosen colours, including one that looks like gold. These labels are printed on silver PP stock with a gloss laminate, giving the gold areas a shiny foil-like look because of the stock and printing process. Finally, these silver metallic labels are finished with either a gloss or matt laminate to enhance their durability.

While this process is still a bit complex, it's usually cheaper than the traditional foiling method of printing labels. This way, you get a foil look on your labels without actually paying for the foil. Amazing, right?

Pros 

• Cost-Effective: Synthetic silver labels are more cost-effective because there are no setup costs.
• Quick Production Times: LabEx silver metallic labels use digital foiling, allowing faster turnaround times, perfect for last-minute print runs.
• Easy Customisation: No need for separate dies; multiple colours and designs can be printed in a single run.
• Less Waste: The digital process reduces the likelihood of errors and waste, saving on materials and costs.
• User-Friendly: This can be applied using standard labelling machines, reducing the need for specialised labour.

Cons 

• Limited Presentation Quality: While impressive, LabEx silver metallic labels achieved through digital foiling don't have the same depth or debossed effect as traditional foiling.
• Requires Lamination: To achieve long-lasting results, digital foiling often needs a laminated surface, which can add to the cost.

Cost 

The label printing cost for LabEx Synthetic Silver Labels ranges from 119 AUD to 468 AUD, depending on the quantity.

Choosing the Right Foiling Method for Your Needs

When you look at the numbers, LabEx Synthetic Silver Labels clearly stands out as the low-cost label printing option, which is the more economical and efficient choice for most businesses. While traditional foiling offers a luxurious finish, its high costs and time and labour-intensive aspects can be prohibitive.

On the other hand, LabEx gives you a modern, cost-effective alternative without sacrificing quality or production times.

By choosing LabEx Synthetic Silver Labels, you can lower your initial investment and get your labels faster. Our metallic labels let you maintain high standards for your brand's appearance while staying within your budget.

Making smart decisions about your labelling methods is crucial. By understanding the costs of traditional labels and LabEx Synthetic Silver Labels, you can pick the option that best fits your business needs and financial goals.

Ready to take the next step? Check out LabEx Synthetic Silver Labels here to see how they can improve your packaging.