Importance of Label Constructions & Printers for E-Commerce Success

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a huge rise in the volume of e-commerce transactions, according to Forbes e-commerce jumped by 55%. In addition, Amazon’s sales figures increased by 20% in 2021, up 82% on pre-pandemic levels. So, you may be wondering what’s the connection between labelling processes and e-commerce success, and how can you tick the right boxes? Well, there are a few key points you must be aware of from the outset... 

1. Understand the conditions your e-commerce labels are exposed to
   1. Labels on e-commerce packages need to be reliable in a variety of areas. Firstly, the adhesive used must be able to adhere to the packaging and securely stay in place during the numerous handling requirements for deliveries. Secondly, the print quality must be high, not run if the label is exposed to wet or damp conditions.
2. Invest in suitable printing equipment
   • Investing in a reliable e-commerce label printer will be of utmost importance to your business. These printers will facilitate the printing of detailed information. There are a wide range of different label printers:
     1. Ink Label Printers – these printers aren’t hugely efficient from a profitability perspective if you manage a high volume of daily shipments as ink can considerably increase your e-commerce logistics.
     2. Laser Label Printers – these printers typically require less ink and therefore can help you reduce your e-commerce costs.
     3. Thermal Label Printers – these printers work by applying heat to thermal paper to create a label, therefore do not require toner or inks. These printers can be more costly up-front however can be cheaper to run long-term for high-volume of shipping labels.

3. Choose the correct label construction
   1. Selecting the correct e-commerce label construction is vital as this will ensure your label material can, firstly, adhere to the required material. Secondly, the label will not wash off or become unable to read when exposed to wet, damp, or varying handling conditions. Finally, the label face material must also be suitable for your printing equipment, for instance, include a thermal coating to enhance thermal printing quality or a proprietary digital top coat to enhance printability on HP, Xeikon, or Inkjet printers.
4. Keep sustainability at the forefront
   • It is important you keep sustainability at the forefront of your e-commerce logistics operations, this can be maximised by following a few simple guidelines:
     1. Consider the sustainability of the label face materials, for instance, are they made from responsible or recycled sources, such as 100% post-consumer waste?
     2. Ensure your items are suitably packed to protect the product, however, minimise any additional packaging when required.
     3. Select packaging from recycled sources, or materials that can be fully recycled after use, and be sure to include recycling information on the packaging. A study by the Paper and Packaging Board found that 71% of consumers are more likely to buy from brands that use paper and cardboard packaging over plastic due to its sustainability and reusability options.
     4. Put any returned packaging into good use by reusing it for future orders.

5. Focus on legibility & accuracy of print
   1. The legibility and accuracy of label printing for e-commerce are often overlooked, however, if labels are issued misprinted there is a high chance your customers will experience delays in receiving goods, or not receive them at all which negatively portrays your business and harms your customer experience. The legibility and readability of labels are of huge importance as this provides traceability of the transportation of goods within delivery networks.

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If you’re looking for a reliable e-commerce label material manufacturer or unique label, ticket, or tag construction for your business, contact our team about our vast array of label materials.