Investing in an automatic label applicator can be a big commitment.
Because of that, it’s important to ensure that you’re researching labeling machine manufacturers and doing your due diligence to ensure that you’re receiving the best possible machine.
If done wisely, investing in an automatic labeling system equates to increased efficiency, consistency and throughput. (Not only that, but it can all be translated into real dollars and cents!)
So, it’s important to make sure that you’re getting the best return on investment. Let’s take a look at 5 ways your business can benefit from an automatic label applicator.
1. Custom Label Applicators Increase Efficiency & Lower Production Cost
Most production facilities invest in an automatic label applicator to increase efficiency. It is, after all, the most obvious benefit of labeling automation. In fact, the potential savings in regard to performance can be multiplied exponentially.
For example, let’s say that a new labeling system labels 100 products a minute and 6,000 products every hour. Calculate the manual cost by the metric of hourly wage per employee required to do it by hand and compare. That’s a very substantial cost difference quantified by lightning-fast math.
One way to optimize labor efficiency is to design the labeling machine to the unique dimensions of the product (round products, glass bottles, flat surfaces, etc). Rather than using a generic system that can’t always meet your needs, custom labeling systems are designed to address any unique challenge. The optimization potential multiplies in the details.
2. Boost Packaging Throughput to Optimize Order Fulfillment
Naturally, increased efficiency enables you to do more. By magnifying labeling capabilities, production significantly increases (and with it, your capacity to process sales).
We’ve seen manufacturers double, triple or quadruple their production rates as labeling equipment becomes abundantly agile. They can quote larger and more valuable opportunities and accept more projects.
It all comes down to being able to get more product boxed, labeled and shipped. Labeling can be a major bottleneck if you’re not careful. But with automatic labeling machines, you’ll be able to fulfill more orders than ever before.
3. Labelers Increase Quality Control & Deliver Consistency
Automatic labeling machines minimize (and often eliminate) rework costs incurred from manual application errors.
While you may have great employees, they’re only human. Mistakes, irregular label placement and missed applications happen. Unfortunately, though, big box stores often fine you for errors that slip through the cracks.
And since increased speed intensified risk, quality control is absolutely necessary when amplifying throughput. If quality control is not central to the product design, chaos may be on the horizon. In just five critical minutes, you might end up with 500 products that need to be relabeled (or outright trashed) if the adhesive proves too strong for reapplication.
To counteract the probability of error, automatic labeling systems can incorporate scanners to mitigate problems. The scanners then provide agile warning systems to ID and remove faulty labeled products, halting production until the error is addressed.
4. User-Friendly Labeling Machine Design Optimizes Use
What is one of the most significant factors in savings and production capacity? It’s a well designed, easy-to-use labeling system.
Automatic labeling machines save time and money because they increase efficiency.
Easy-to-use design means that your custom labeling solution can evolve over time. You’ll have less downtime, fewer training issues, and an intrinsic understanding of how to best optimize the automatic label applicator to boost production.
Most importantly, if your machine is user-friendly, your people will be willing to use the labeling system to its fullest capacity. They’ll want to make sure it runs as well as it can because it makes their job easier in return.
5. Labelers Harness Data to Provide Insight
More than 2.5 quintillion bytes of data are created every day, and that number is only growing! It’s expected that at least 1.7MB of data is created every second for every person on Earth.
Do those numbers seem intimidating? If you learn to appreciate the value that data provides they shouldn’t be because data can drive ROI through the roof. Data helps businesses to cut costs and discover new opportunities for innovation and disruption.
In the age of supply chain logistics and product traceability, data has never been more critical to the labeling industry. Your labeling system can prove to be critical, not only in situations of product recall but in optimizing every aspect of your business to work more intelligently to maximize the bottom line.
A Better Product Label You Can Bank On
For label application, you get out what you put in. Most labeling systems are not an out of the box solution and need to be tweaked to work at peak performance for your business.
More efficient production is the result of increased throughput and accessible, insight-driven data. And, in the end, efficiency means greater potential for your brand, all thanks to your labeling machine investment.
That’s success you can take to the bank, and the kind you can show your team (when ROI is soaring as a result of your automatic labeling system).
Our Helpful Guide On Labeling Systems
Ready to increase your ROI? Download our free guide, “The Secret to Planning a Labeling System,” and find out how to get the best automatic labeling machine on the first try.
Have a question about a labeling system for your specific needs? We’re happy to chat and point you in the right direction, whether you’re looking for a wrap labeler or a print and apply system!
