Short-run digital labelling means BIG BUSINESS

We live in a time where shorter print runs have become far more favourable. This is because small to mid-sized brands also want professional, eye-catching products that compete well on shelf, without having to commit to printing tens of thousands of labels. This trend is seeing digital options become the norm in an environment where customisation is key.

A Paradise Collection deodorant bottle with a broken tamper-proof seal

Digital printing really shines when projects are time sensitive with tight deadlines because there’s no need to produce flexographic plates or dies. This means that companies offering digital technologies can accommodate almost anything a small to medium-sized beauty brand owner needs within the time frame they need it.

When Paradise Collection, a South

African cosmetics manufacturer, needed 2 000 deodorant labels at short notice,

Label Smart’s digital printing service offered the right solution. Not only did the brand owner require the labels within two weeks to coincide with a delivery promise, it also needed artwork designed for an ‘amazing and unique’ label. The bombshell was that the client’s requirement for 2 000 labels had to be split between 20 product variants. INSTALLATION RAMPS UP CAPACITY Label Smart is a South African label printing company specialising in short-run digital labelling cut to any size and shape a client requires. The company recently purchased an OKI printer coupled with SimpleCut-S from NSI 4 Africa, making it fully equipped to meet the deodorant brand owner’s needs.

Designs and proofs were completed within days and the complete job was delivered on time with time to spare for the brand owner to complete the label applications to the deodorant bottles and fill the order within the deadline.

An employee from Label Smart used the Paradise Collection logo to create a customised label that was both interesting and unique.

“With the leaf shapes die-cut to form, we sized it up so that the top section of the label serves the added function of being a security tamper-proof seal for the bottle. Once the bottle has been opened, the label tears at the cap joint. This gives the end user the confidence that they’re purchasing a product that hasn’t been tested or tampered with,” the Label Smart employee explains.

A VERSATILE SOLUTION Label Smart praised NSI 4 Africa for the support and professionalism the company experienced. Label Smart is the value-added OKI reseller for subSaharan Africa.

“Shawn Bezuidenhout’s recommendations were exact when we asked for his advice before investing in the new equipment. The solution he proposed has proven to be versatile enough to accommodate highly unique requests for clients which are costeffective to run, the colours are vibrant and even the tiniest text is crisp and clear. The broad range of print media available on the South African market, from chemically resistant options to high gloss, enables us to fulfil any industry requirement. Knowing that NSI 4 Africa is firmly in our corner whenever we need assistance gives us the confidence to offer our clients customised label production services, even on tight deadlines,” the Label Smart employee adds.

Paradise Collection was so pleased with the deodorant labels designed and printed by Label Smart that it’s asked the label printing company to extend the brand identity and design bespoke packaging for its perfume collection.

Although the cosmetics line by Paradise Collection is still comparatively small, the OKI solution allows Label Smart to grow with the client, helping the brand owner become established while growing its business. It’s a win-win situation for all parties concerned. •

A sample of labels created for Paradise Collection

Label Smart – www.labelsmart.co.za NSI 4 Africa – www.nsi4africa.com