How to Order Small Batches Without Compromising Quality
Launching a new product, testing a design or producing a seasonal range doesn’t mean ordering thousands of labels you may never use. Short-run label printing lets you order the quantity you actually need, with the same professional finish as a large production run.
What is short-run label printing?
Short-run label printing means producing labels in smaller quantities than traditional production methods are designed for. What counts as “short” varies between printers, but it generally ranges from a few hundred labels to a few thousand.
Traditional label printing methods like flexography use physical printing plates. Making the plates and setting up the press takes time and money, which is spread across the whole run. On a big order that cost per label becomes very small. On a small order it doesn’t. Digital label printing avoids this because there are no plates. The design goes straight from the file to the press, so small batches are quicker and more cost-effective, and several versions of a label can be produced in one job.
When short runs make sense
- New product launches, where demand is still unproven
- Seasonal or limited-edition ranges with a defined sales window
- Multiple variants, such as different flavours, scents or sizes, each needing its own label
- Design testing, so you can refine a label before committing to a bigger order
- Regular small batches, for businesses that make products in small quantities
How it works
Short runs are typically produced digitally, which avoids the plates and long set-up times of traditional methods. That keeps lead times short and makes small quantities cost-effective. It also makes it easy to produce several versions in one job.
What to have ready before you order
- Size and shape of the label
- Material and finish, such as paper, film, or a particular coating
- Surface and conditions, because a label for a smooth glass bottle has different needs from one for a cardboard box, a chilled product or a container that gets wet
- Quantity per version
- Artwork, ideally print-ready (see our print-ready checklist)
Common mistakes to avoid
- Choosing the wrong adhesive. Always tell your printer where and how the label will be used.
- Skipping the proof. Check spelling, barcodes and colours before production.
- Ordering too many too soon. Start with a smaller batch, then reorder once you’re happy.
Talk to us
At Midland Regional Printers, we produce labels from (short runs through to large volumes) at our Nottingham site. Tell us about your product, and we’ll recommend the right material, finish and quantity.
