Print Different Label Designs Without Plates
Yes. Digital label printing does not use printing plates, so you can print different label designs, flavours or variants in the same order straight from your artwork files. At Digital Label Services, medium-volume printed labels (1,000+) need no printing plates: you supply a PDF file, your labels go into production and they are delivered within 7 working days.
Written and reviewed by the Digital Label Services Technical & Packaging Team – Packaging & Digital Label Printing Specialists with more than 30 years of packaging industry experience.
Why does traditional label printing need printing plates?
Traditional flexographic (flexo) label printing transfers ink to the label from a raised printing plate, and each colour in a design usually needs its own plate. Those plates are made for a specific design before the run starts, so a new design, or even a change to the text on an existing one, generally means making new plates.
That setup is why plate-based printing suits long runs of a design that stays the same. Once the plates are made and the press is set up, the same label can be repeated many times. It is less suited to short runs, frequent artwork changes or a range of products that each need a slightly different label.
How does digital label printing work without plates?
Digital label printing sends the image directly from a digital file to the printer, much like an office printer prints a document. There is no plate to make, so the press does not need to be set up for each new design. Each label is printed from the file, which means one design can be followed by a different one in the same job.
Digital Label Services produces printed labels in-house and through partners. Our production options are:
- Low volume (1-1,000 labels): printed in-house using C/M/Y/K water-based inks on die-cut or continuous stock.
- Medium volume (1,000+ labels): no printing plates required. Supply a PDF file and your labels are in production and delivered within 7 working days.
- High volume (10,000+ labels): 8 colour printing with inline die cutting, with options including foil embossing, tamper evident and food grade.
The 7 working day turnaround applies to the medium-volume printed-label service. Other orders and products are quoted on their own requirements.
Can I print several label variants in one run?
Yes. Running different variants of the same label is one of the main reasons businesses choose plateless digital printing. Because nothing physical has to be changed between designs, variants such as flavours, scents, sizes or product codes can be supplied as artwork files and printed in the same production run.
This suits businesses that are:
- launching a new product and want labels before committing to a large quantity
- adding product variants to an existing range
- changing designs often, for example seasonal artwork or updated product information
- frustrated by supplier lead times on a new label
What is the difference between digital and flexo label printing?
The main difference is setup. Flexo printing uses plates made for each design, while digital printing prints from a file with no plates. Neither is better for every job; the right choice depends on your quantities, how many designs you run and how often they change.
| Consideration | Digital (plateless) printing | Plate-based flexo printing |
|---|---|---|
| Printing plates | None – prints from a digital file | Plates made for each design, usually one per colour |
| Design changes | Change the artwork file | Generally needs new plates |
| Multiple variants | Different designs can run in the same job | Each design needs its own set of plates |
| Best suited to | Short runs, new products, frequent changes, many variants | Long runs of a design that stays the same |
Digital Label Services partners with both digital and flexographic label printers, so the route for your job can be matched to its requirements and quantity rather than forced into one process.
Should I print plateless labels in-house or outsource them?
There is no single right answer. Some businesses outsource printed labels, some bring digital label printing in-house with their own colour label printer, and many use a mix of both. The right model depends on your label volume, number of SKUs and variants, how often designs change, turnaround, label stock, print quality, finishing, equipment budget and the people you have to run it.
Be realistic about the costs on both sides. In-house printing involves the printer investment, inks and toners, label stock, maintenance, training, operator time and depreciation. Outsourcing involves the per-label cost, minimum quantities, setup, freight, supplier lead time, reprints and storage.
If in-house production is the better fit, Digital Label Services supplies colour label printers and commercial label presses that print digitally, without plates:
- QuickLabel colour label printers – the QL-E100, QL-120X and QL-300. The QL-120X is advertised with a two-year manufacturer warranty.
- Epson ColorWorks colour label printing systems.
- TrojanLabel commercial label presses and overprinting systems – the T2-C, T3-OPX and T4.
Installation, training, servicing, genuine consumables and ongoing technical support are part of the offering, so you are not left to work it out alone after the printer arrives. You can compare the range on our label printers page, or see our outsourced options on the printed labels and digital label printing page.
What do I need to supply to print labels without plates?
For medium-volume printed labels, you need a PDF file of your artwork. Once the PDF is supplied, your labels are in production. If you have several variants, supply a file for each design.
It also helps to have these details ready when you ask for a quote:
- How many labels you need of each design
- The number of designs or variants
- Label size and shape, and whether you need die-cut or continuous labels
- The label stock you need
- Any finishing, such as foil embossing or tamper evident labels for higher volumes
- When you need the labels
Which label stock can I choose?
Label stock includes gloss paper, matte paper, gloss synthetic, matte synthetic and gloss poly freezer grade. If you need a stock that is not listed, tell us what you require and we will source it for you.
The right label stock depends on where the label will be used. If your labels are for food, beverage, pharmaceutical or chemical products, talk to us about the specific application so we can recommend a suitable label stock.
Common questions about printing labels without plates
Can I order a small quantity of labels?
Yes. Low-volume production covers 1-1,000 labels, printed in-house on die-cut or continuous stock.
How long does plateless label production take?
Medium-volume printed labels (1,000+) are delivered within 7 working days from your PDF file. That turnaround applies to the medium-volume service; for other orders, ask us for a timeframe when you request a quote.
Can I see sample labels before I order?
Yes. For medium-volume labels, ask us for some sample labels.
Can you supply a label printer as well as printed labels?
Yes. Digital Label Services supplies both professionally printed labels and the printers, presses, label stock, consumables, installation, training, servicing and technical support needed to print labels in-house, or a combination of the two.
Do you supply businesses outside the Central Coast?
Yes. The team is based on the Central Coast of NSW and supplies labels, equipment and consumables to business customers Australia-wide, including Sydney, Newcastle, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide.
How do I get a quote for plateless label printing?
Call Digital Label Services on 0431 942 464 or email info@digitallabelservices.com.au, Monday to Friday, 8:30am to 5:00pm. Tell us your label volume, how many designs you run and how often they change, and we will recommend outsourced printed labels, an in-house digital label printer, a commercial label press or a hybrid of the two. Pricing is tailored to your labels, production volume, label stock and equipment requirements, and you can request a personalised quote online.
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