Label Printing FAQs From an 18-Year Factory
Every answer here comes from the factory floor — the minimums, samples, artwork specs, lead times, and shipping terms you deal with when you order custom labels.
Five Answers Before You Send Your RFQ
The five numbers and policies you likely came here to check — click any card to jump to the full answer.
These are factory-wide policies — the same terms apply to every product page on this site. Category-specific questions (materials for wine bottles, floor decal skid ratings) live on their own pages, linked at the bottom.
Your Order Path From Files to Freight
Five steps, start to arrival — so you know exactly where your project stands at any moment.
Send Your Files
AI, PDF, CDR, PSD, or EPS — or ask our team to help shape the design from your concept.
Lock the Specs
Size, material, quantity, finish, and destination — confirmed together in writing.
Get Your Quote
Factory pricing lands within 12 hours, with each cost line spelled out.
Approve the Proof
Pre-press check and golden sample sign-off before anything prints.
Production & Freight
4–5 day build, then express or sea on DDP/FOB terms, with tracking from day one.
Most delays happen at step 1 — incomplete files. The artwork answers below get you through it in one pass.
Five Specs to Prepare Before Your Quote
Minimums, pricing logic, and the five specs that get you an accurate quote on the first reply.
Size & shape
Finished size plus die-cut shape, or "advise me" with container photos.
Material
BOPP, PET, paper, foil, or vinyl — or let us match it to your product.
Quantity
Per design. 500 minimum; larger runs cut the unit price.
Finish
Gloss or matte lamination, varnish, hot stamping, or embossing.
Destination
Country and delivery window, so freight quotes on DDP or FOB.
Artwork Files and Specs We Accept
Get files right once — the format, bleed, and color specs our pre-press team checks first.
Samples and Proofs Before You Commit
How to see and approve exactly what you'll receive — before the full run prints.
Materials and Printing Methods We Run
Face stocks, presses, and finishes available across every label category we print.
Rolls, Cores, and Machine-Ready Delivery
Roll specs your applicator cares about — cores, marks, and orientation, confirmed before we print.
| Core size | Fits | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 76 mm (3") | Standard automatic applicators | Most machine-applied production lines |
| 2" | Bench-top applicators | Small runs, semi-automatic lines |
| 1" | Hand applicators, print-and-apply heads | Short runs, labeling stations |
| Large-core reels | Zebra and other industrial printers | High-volume thermal line setups |
7-inch cores are not offered. Unusual machine specs — max outer diameter, core tolerance, mark placement — are confirmed in your quote before production.
Your Order Timeline, Door to Door
Production, freight, payment, and after-sales — the timeline you can plan a launch or restock around.
| Stage | Time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Artwork approval & payment | Day 0 | Files checked, golden sample approved |
| Production | 4–5 working days | UV rotary or digital press, per run size |
| Express (DHL/FedEx/UPS) | 7–10 days | Samples, urgent restocks, first orders |
| Sea freight | 35–50 days | Bulk replenishment at the best freight cost |
| Trade terms | DDP or FOB | Stated in your quote, per destination |
Times are typical for standard custom label orders. Transit varies by destination and customs — your quote carries the exact dates for your country.
Take Category Questions to the Right Page
Material tests, compliance notes, and application guides live on each label category's own page.
Don't see your category? Ask in the quote form — the answer comes with your 12-hour quote, and we'll point you to the right page.
Send Your Specs and Get a Quote in 12 Hours
Answers checked, specs ready — send it once and get factory pricing back the same working day.
What to prepare:
- Size & shape (or container photos)
- Material — or ask us to match one
- Quantity per design
- Finish: gloss, matte, foil, embossing
- Destination and delivery window
Free pre-press audit with every quote
Send your artwork — our engineers check files, colors, and materials before pricing.
Get a Quote