Discuss the different brands, makes and models of printers used to print inkjet and laser heat transfers. Also includes information on the inks that can be used to make your own transfers.
Please can someone advise on which is the best printer for printing my own wine and champagne labels at home?
Not sure if I need self adhesive labels or whether it is best to glue/stick the labels on using some form of bonding substance.
Your comments and suggegtions are much appreciated.
Many thanks,
Simon
Last edited by Girlzndollz; January 14th, 2009 at 05:33 AM.
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You posted under screen printing, but you are asking about a laser printer, right?
How many do you need? Is this for personal or commercial use?
Off the top of my head I would say any color laser would do, but I wouldn't use lasers at all if this is commercial. You'll want something more professional than that.
What would you recommend, Joe? This is something that interests me as well, as it seems every friend I have drinks wine.
What shortcomings would the laser have? Do you think the Epson 1400 might do a good job? It prints super nice photos for me. If not, what would be the best printer? Thanks alot.
Yeah, sorry about adding this to the wrong forum. My mistake.
I will be printing them for commercial use (very small quantities) which is why I can't really rely on a printing firm to help at the moment as they won't print single labels.
Other people have recommended a laser, but if someone could recommend a good A3 laser (as I will be also using it for DTP proofs) then that would be great.
Thanks,
Simon
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Simon Blue Jay Designswww.bluejaydesigns.co.uk Providing quality colour stickers
I agree with Joe. I used my colour laser (decent, but nothing special) to print labels for homebrew I gave as Christmas presents. I just cut them and glued them. For that application they looked fantastic, but I definitely wouldn't have said the same if it was for a commercial project.
Print quality and paper stock used are the main two. Without a clear coat on top it's probably not going to look very professional. It's also the things that go with it: like maybe if you're using a home printer you don't have access to a good guillotine.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Girlzndollz
Do you think the Epson 1400 might do a good job?
As an inkjet printer, I doubt it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Girlzndollz
If not, what would be the best printer?
Offset printing would be the way to go I imagine.
Although for small quantities, screenprinting could actually be a good solution (it's what I was going to do before I ran out of time). More so if you're doing it yourself. It's not that it would be particularly cost effective (it wouldn't) just that it could give good results at low quantities (so comparatively cost effective I suppose).
Haha, well, versacamm came to mind for me, but I don't have the $$ for one or access to one. I was personally hoping for some decent results with something that sits on a desktop for less than $150. I can see what you guys are saying about the finish of the label. That makes alot of sense.
I suppose for the artsy crafty genre, where a non-commercial look is okay, this would be feasible. There is that clear stuff that goes over labels, and keychains, the name is running even further away as I grasp for it in my mind.... clear, dries hard, makes a dome... I think dome is part of the name... but I do not know if a wide dome would look at all good on a wine label!! Big that would erradicate the matte look of a printed label. ???
I suppose there is no "gloss'' finish label material out there. I never really thought this much about it before. I can always do some more checking around on the net for supplies, etc.
Thanks for all the info guys... gave a good base to go from. I appreciate it. =)
One more quick Q. If you can screen print a label like this, is it possible to get a plastisol made up that you apply to the label yourself? Thanks again!
From my experience, most high quality and highly priced wines don't use glossy media for their labels but instead use matt/paper labels. Whether these can still be printed via an inkjet or laser I and look (semi-)professional I don't know?
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Simon Blue Jay Designswww.bluejaydesigns.co.uk Providing quality colour stickers
I have done water bottle labels in the past, and I use a label paper from onlinelabels.com that is weather resistant (ie: water resistant) and print them with my Konica Minolta color laser.
I don't drink wine! I do know beer labels often have metallic accents, and some change color now!
I suppose, if the upper tier wines use matte/paper, my next question would be, is the print flat or raised?
Thanks. =)
Most paper-like labels, like those on (higher end) beer bottles and wine bottles, are embossed rather than just printed flat. They also have a moisture activated adhesive that's applied to them for application to the bottle surface.
You can purchase that paper as well, but being PAPER, it does tend to flake as it gets wet. And you'll not be able to emboss it the same way that the upper end brands do.
Me, I like the polyester label papers for mine. Looks great, lasts forever.
Best Laser for Printing Wine Labels 
Big that would erradicate the matte look of a printed label. ??? 
