The Benefits of Inkjet Printing for Cannabis Labels

When it comes to printing labels for cannabis products, inkjet offers more solutions and benefits for the industry than others.

Cannabis labels require a unique blend of design and compliance for products required by state regulations. Information on these labels is subject to frequent change, compelling businesses to quickly adapt to adjustments or risk their products being out of compliance.

Inkjet printers are able to produce vivid colors with high-resolution for better image quality and print variable data, such as ingredients, onto labels in one go. 

Different liquid-based inks can offer users the option of printing more durable labels, which can be beneficial in preventing smudging, scratching, and tearing.

In this article, we’ll discuss some of the benefits inkjet labels offer to the cannabis industry.

The ability for businesses to customize their own labels is a huge benefit. It’s what separates them from every other brand on the market.

Using color adds a “wow” factor to labels. This draws the attention of customers and helps promote the company’s brand. Brands build recognition from their unique designs, which over time evolves to trust with customers.

Cannabis labels can be customized with different colors and designs depending on the target audience. For example, some cannabis products are marketed to a specific generation by using certain colors and designs.

Printing in color also helps to comply with cannabis product label regulations. Unique warning symbols for each state requires special graphics and colors to be printed. This keeps businesses in compliance while maintaining the integrity of their brand.

Gloss and matte finishes can be added to enhance the overall label look. They offer versatility to label designs for a more sophisticated, customized look.

Many factors must be included when printing cannabis labels, ranging from brand designs to product information to warnings and hazards. 

All of these components have to be incorporated onto a label in a way that is informative as well as eye catching. This can be difficult to do with constant changes to regulations. 

The easiest solution for businesses is to use one label for their cannabis products.  

Having multiple labels for one package requires spending more money on label supplies, plus additional production costs to apply them. Printing all of the necessary information onto one label can save time and money.

One general observation that can be made is that many cannabis product containers are small.

For example, oils, tinctures, and topicals can be sold in bottles of just a few ounces. Depending on the type of edible, they can be packaged in small or individual packs and containers.

Other cannabis products, like flowers and concentrates, tend to be sold in packaging for small quantities due to regulations.

Smaller packaging does not have room for multiple labels so applying one label is a more ideal option.

Inkjet printers are able to customize labels in multiple sizes, some as small as 1.5 inches wide, allowing businesses to accommodate changes to regulations and designs as they occur.

One major benefit of owning an inkjet printer is the ability to print labels on-demand. 

In-house operations are an easier way to source labels than ordering large quantities from an outside business. This is especially true if changes must be made to the label design, which is prevalent throughout the cannabis industry.

Regulations regarding text, images, and warnings continuously change due to the fact that cannabis is still not nationally standardized. When regulations change, labels must accommodate these adjustments in order to remain compliant. As a result, any pre-printed labels become obsolete and must be thrown away. 

By owning a printer, users can control the individual information when designing and producing their labels. Changes can be quickly made so companies won’t lose money discarding existing inventory of pre-prints.

There are many different varieties of inkjet printers on the market, so it can be difficult to choose the right one for your cannabis business. 

Take a look at the printer types and models below and see which one might be the best option for your cannabis business.

A very popular name in inkjet printing, Epson printers offer a wide range of label sizes, shapes, and finishes.

Some models, like the Epson c7500G, are specifically designed to print gloss labels, which helps enhance the design details and makes colors look more pronounced.

It uses a pigment based ink, which can withstand exposure to UV light, chemicals, and moisture.

When combined with synthetic materials, it produces more durable labels for a variety of applications.

An external rewinder can be purchased separately to easily rewind large quantities of labels back onto the roll. This attaches to the front of the printer and helps users print large batches of labels at a time to have on-demand for later use.

To find out if this is the right printer for your inkjet labels, read our review of the Epson c7500G.

When you want to upgrade your black and white thermal printer on a budget, the Epson c6500Au was designed for just that.

Capable of producing vibrant color labels up to 8 inches wide and with resolution up to 1200dpi, this inkjet model is engineered for on-demand, large volume printing. Its use of pigment-based ink provides the opportunity for durable applications when combined with synthetic label materials.

Other media options for the c6500Au include gloss and matte finishes for paper, film, and textured labels. These add nuance to designs and enhance the overall label look for applications where products need to stand out.

To find out if this is the right printer for your inkjet labels, read our review of the Epson c6500Au.

Another well-known inkjet brand, Canon printers combine speed and quality with a wide range of supported media for a variety of personalized prints. 

Models like the LX-D5500 are an optimal choice for users looking for a color printer with fast-performance and versatility. This model uses dye-based ink, which produces vivid, brilliant colors to enhance graphics, designs, and even text. 

This model is capable of producing prints with a high resolution of 1200×1200 dpi at speeds as fast as 7.9 inches per second. Despite its fast production, it maintains a high print quality for any on-demand printing.

The LX-D5500 supports both paper and synthetic media, such as poly and film for added durability against smudging, tearing, and scratching. Gloss and matte finishes can be added to boost the nuances of color and design for an overall finished look.

To find out if this is the right printer for your inkjet labels, read our review of the Canon LX-D5500.

Inkjet labels can offer a great solution to your cannabis brand. Whether you’re printing labels for cannabis flowers, edibles, or topicals, there are a multitude of options and customizations in a variety of sizes and materials for any application.

Looking for inkjet labels for your cannabis business? Have questions? Shop smithcorona.com or give us a call at 1-800-875-700.