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Tag: trade printing

Why Offset Label Printing Alternatives Stack Up

Posted on by Jamie Xuereb

Offset printing labels – is it worth the effort to set up and the overall cost? After all, the method you choose is less of a significant impact on quality thanks to the improvements in label print tech. The intended application and required turnaround times are the focus areas in 2024 & beyond.

For decades, offset printing has been the go-to for producing labels on rolls, particularly for high-volume print runs. This technique, known for its exceptional print quality and suitability for large quantities, has been serviceable for businesses needing consistent, high-quality labels.

However, as market demands shift towards more flexible, timely, and cost-effective solutions – digital printing is emerging as a formidable contender.

Why Offset Label Printing Has Been Preferred – Until Now

Offset printing’s appeal for label production, especially on rolls, stems from several key advantages:

  • Suitability for High Volumes: Offset printing is incredibly efficient for large-scale label or sticker runs, making it cost-effective for long-term projects requiring thousands, if not millions, of the same label design and shape.
  • High Setup Costs but Economical for Bulk: While the initial setup fees for offset label printing can be substantial due to the need for creating plates and configuring the press, these costs are amortised over large print runs, reducing the per-unit cost significantly.
  • Quality and Precision: Known for its high-quality outputs, offset printing can produce stickers with crisp, clear images and vibrant colours. The technique is also conducive to die-cutting, allowing for precise shapes and sizes.
  • Consistency: For brands that require consistency across batches produced over time, offset printing offers great uniformity, ensuring that each label looks exactly like the last, even over extended periods.

Despite these advantages, offset printing’s inflexibility with ‘kinds’ (variations in design or content within the same print run) and its high setup costs have prompted businesses to seek more adaptable printing solutions.

Shifting Trends: The Move Towards Digital Printing

The landscape of label printing is changing, driven by evolving business needs and technological advancements. The trend towards ‘just-in-time’ purchasing and the decreasing desire to hold large inventories are significant factors influencing this shift. Here’s why digital printing is becoming the preferred choice for labels and stickers:

  • Agility and Flexibility: Unlike offset printing, digital printing does not require plates, significantly reducing setup times and allowing for greater flexibility in print runs. This agility is crucial for businesses looking to respond quickly to market demands or make last-minute changes to their labels.
  • Economical for Shorter Runs: Digital printing is more cost-effective for smaller quantities, making it an ideal choice for businesses that require high-quality labels but in lower volumes. This aligns perfectly with the trend towards smaller, more frequent print runs as companies adopt a ‘just-in-time’ inventory approach.
  • Quality that Matches or Surpasses Offset: Advances in digital printing technology mean that it can now match or even surpass the quality of offset printing labels. High-resolution digital printers can produce labels with incredible detail, vibrant colours, and even achieve fidelity and micro sizes that offset printing struggles with.
  • No Constraints on ‘Kinds’: Digital printing offers the ability to print multiple designs in the same run without incurring additional costs. This flexibility is a boon for businesses that require a variety of label designs or frequently update their label content.

Embrace the Offset Label Printing Alternatives

The flexibility, cost-effectiveness for shorter runs, and high-quality outputs, makes digital printing a compelling alternative to offset label printing. It also matches the shifting dynamics of consumer demand and inventory management that tilt in favour of agile production.

At Mediapoint, we embrace the latest in digital printing technology, offering our clients unmatched quality, a wider range of sticker / label products, and better margins for reselling.

As the industry continues to evolve, so too will the technologies we use, ensuring that your labels always make the best impression, no matter how big or small the job.

Not yet a part of our trade print community? Sign up for a trade account in minutes – Click Here.

Why CMYK Reigns Supreme in Commercial Printing

Posted on by Jamie Xuereb

In the vibrant world of commercial printing, colour plays a pivotal role in capturing attention and conveying messages. Yet, the colours you see on your screen don’t always translate directly onto paper.

This discrepancy lies in the fundamental difference between the RGB (Red, Green, Blue) colour model used by electronic displays and the CMYK (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key/Black) colour model that dominates commercial printing.

Understanding why CMYK is the industry standard over RGB is crucial for anyone looking to produce printed materials that accurately reflect their vision. Whilst much of this will be taken care of thanks to software default settings / your graphic designers – it’s handy to understand why this colour model is used.

The Basis of CMYK in Printing

The CMYK model is essentially a subtractive colour model used in colour printing. Unlike RGB, which adds light to create colours (additive colour model), CMYK works by subtracting brightness from white light, reflecting specific colours back to the eye.

This process is more aligned with the way printed materials are consumed—through the reflection of light rather than the emission of light.

1. CMYK is Complementary to the Printing Process

Commercial printing equipment is designed to apply inks in the CMYK spectrum. This system is a direct descendant of the four-colour printing process, where each colour layer is applied separately to build up the final image.

The use of CMYK inks is tailored to this process, allowing for a wide range of colours to be produced by overlaying these four basic colours in varying intensities.

2. Greater Material Versatility

The CMYK model’s reliance on physical ink makes it highly adaptable to a variety of printing surfaces, whether it’s paper, cardboard, fabric, or even plastic.

This versatility is crucial for commercial printing, where the demand spans across numerous types of materials, each with its own ink absorption and colour reflection properties.

3. Cost-Effectiveness of CMYK

Printing in CMYK is economically more viable for mass production. The RGB model, with its reliance on light to create colours, is not suitable for printing on physical media.

CMYK inks, on the other hand, can be mixed in precise quantities to achieve the desired hues without the need for additional colours, keeping the production costs manageable.

Addressing the Limitations of RGB in Printing

RGB’s primary limitation in the context of printing lies in its design for digital displays, which can produce a broader spectrum of colours by combining light.

When RGB images are converted for printing, for things like (signs, stickers or labels) some colours may appear muted or different because the CMYK colour space is inherently narrower.

This can lead to discrepancies between the on-screen preview and the final printed product, emphasising the importance of designing in CMYK for materials intended for printing.

Navigating Colour Conversion Between CMYK & RGB

The transition from RGB to CMYK can be managed with careful planning and understanding of colour spaces. Designers often work within this colour space when creating materials for print to ensure what they see on their screens closely matches the final output.

So if you or a customer have got a designer creating work for you it’s highly likely this is already taken care of. But it never hurts to double check!

Advanced software and colour management tools can also aid in predicting how colours will change during this conversion, allowing for adjustments before the printing process begins.

From Offset Printing to Digital Brilliance

Posted on by Jamie Xuereb

In the realm of commercial printing, offset printing has long been the go-to process. Offset print is often sought for its ability to churn out large volumes at breakneck speeds. This traditional method, wherein designs are transferred from plates to rollers and finally onto the media, has dominated the industry for years. We’re pretty sure that when you think of large format print, you’ve probably got the image of an offset printer in your head! That’s despite the fact that it’s increasingly becoming the less-preferred process for production.

The tide is turning, and at Mediapoint, we’re riding the wave of change. It’s a decision driven by unparalleled advancements in technology and the evolving needs of clients. For most use cases, digital printing has reached parity with offset processes.

So let’s dive into the how and why…

Understanding Offset Printing

Offset printing’s legacy in the mass production of prints is undeniable. It’s been the go-to for businesses needing large print runs due to its efficiency and consistency.

The Benefits:

  • High-Quality Images and Textures: Offset printing produces rich, accurate colors and high-quality images with finer detail and without streaks or spots. The method’s ability to use a wide range of printing substrates also means textures and finishes can be more diverse.
  • Cost-Effectiveness for High Volumes: For large print runs, offset printing becomes incredibly cost-effective. The initial setup costs are offset by the lower per-unit cost at higher volumes, making it ideal for printing large quantities.
  • Colour Consistency: The process allows for excellent colour matching and consistency across a print run, which is vital for branding and high-quality art reproductions.

The Drawbacks

Naturally, there are drawbacks to traditional printing processes – particularly as equipment manufacturers continue to innovate in the spaces.

  • High Initial Setup Costs: The need to create plates for each print job incurs significant initial costs, making offset printing less economical for small to medium-sized print runs. This setup process also requires time and planning, which can be a disadvantage for projects with tight deadlines.
  • Inflexibility in Print Runs: Once an offset print run has begun, making changes can be costly and complicated. This inflexibility means errors or last-minute updates can result in increased costs and wasted materials.
  • Size Limitations: The physical dimensions of the offset press limit the size of the print job. This can restrict the potential for larger formats that are increasingly popular in advertising and display materials.
  • Environmental Concerns: The process involves more waste than digital printing, from the plates that often cannot be reused to the excess ink and water usage. Additionally, the pigment-based inks used in offset printing typically have volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can be harmful to the environment.
  • Durability Issues with Pigment-Based Inks: While offering vibrant colors, the pigment-based inks used in offset printing are less durable when exposed to UV light and the elements, leading to quicker fading and degradation of outdoor materials.

These factors led us at Mediapoint to explore and ultimately embrace the possibilities offered by digital printing technologies. We’ve been investing heavily in keeping at the edge of these technologies – and we’re not quiet about it either. You may have even seen us featured in ProPack, manufacturer case studies and other printing media.

So let’s dive into why we’re all in on digital…

Why Mediapoint Chooses Digital Over Offset Printing

Superior Print Quality

One of the most compelling reasons for our shift towards digital printing is the remarkable quality it can achieve. Our Durst Tau UV roll printer stands as a testament to this, capable of printing intricately detailed 1pt text and 5mm QR codes that are crystal clear under a loupe. As you can see below you can get very creative with roll labels and stickers – unlocking applications galore.

Example of Micro Text Print that Offset Printing Can't Match

This level of precision was once thought to be the exclusive domain of offset printing, but digital technology has not only caught up; it’s starting to surpass.

Flexibility and Customisation

Digital printing eliminates the need for plates, a staple in the offset printing process. This removal not only reduces setup times but also opens up a world of customisation and flexibility for our clients.

At Mediapoint, we’ve leveraged this to eliminate kind fees on a wide array of products, making it more economical for our clients to print exactly what they need, regardless of the batch size.

Size and Material Versatility

Another advantage digital printing holds over offset is its adaptability in terms of print sizes and materials. Offset printing’s size limitations often restrict creative ambitions, especially for large format needs.

Digital printing, on the other hand, accommodates a broader range of sizes and substrates, ensuring that our clients’ visions aren’t constrained by technical limitations. We can print simple and complex designs, with high-fidelity on more materials than traditional offset printing would allow. And you’ll never be upset by more choice as a printing reseller, right? An increase in options and better outcomes for your own customers is always a positive.

Durability and Longevity

When it comes to outdoor applications, the UV durability of prints is paramount. Offset printing’s reliance on pigment-based inks falls short in this regard, especially compared to the UV inks used in digital printing.

These digital inks are not only more vibrant but also offer enhanced resistance to the elements, ensuring that prints remain fade-resistant and durable over time.

LOOKING FOR OFFSET PRINTING? WE’VE GOT YOU COVERED.

At Mediapoint, our commitment to providing top-tier printing solutions has led us to fully embrace digital printing. This technology aligns with our goals of offering high-quality, versatile, and cost-effective print options to our clients. By prioritising digital over offset, we’re not just keeping pace with technological advancements; we’re offering our clients the best the printing world has to offer.

Whether you’re looking to bring a creative vision to life, enhance your brand’s marketing materials, or simply explore the vast possibilities of digital printing, Mediapoint is here to make it happen. Contact us today to discover how our digital printing solutions can benefit your next project. Let’s create something remarkable together.

7 Considerations of Quality Label Printing

Posted on by Jamie Xuereb

We discuss these key considerations for delivering quality label printing services to our clients (and their customers).

Labels play a crucial role in the world of packaging, branding, and product identification. As a result, customers generally demand high quality from any label printing jobs. For printers, this means paying close attention to several important factors that can influence the quality of the final product.

So let’s take a look a the top elements that guide our label and sticker printing offering.

The Foundation of Quality Label Printing: Material Selection

The choice of label material has a significant impact on the overall quality and performance of the final product. Printers must carefully consider factors such as the intended application, environmental conditions, and required durability when selecting the right material.

Common materials include paper, film, foil, and various synthetic substrates, like BOPP. Each has unique properties and advantages that cater to specific labelling needs.

Label Adhesive Choice

Choosing the appropriate adhesive is critical to a label’s performance and longevity. Printers need to consider the surface on which the label will be applied and any environmental factors that may affect the adhesive’s performance, such as temperature, humidity, and exposure to chemicals.

Permanent, removable, and repositionable adhesives are some common options, each designed to meet different application requirements.

Printing Method: Balancing Quality, Speed, and Cost

Selecting the right printing method is crucial for achieving high-quality labels. Printers must evaluate the specific needs of a project, such as required print resolution, color accuracy, and print speed, to determine the most suitable method.

Flexographic, digital, offset, and screen printing are some of the popular methods, each with its own set of advantages and limitations that cater to various label printing scenarios.

Achieving Consistent Colour In Your Labels

Colour management plays a vital role in maintaining consistency and accuracy in label printing. Printers should calibrate and profile their printing equipment and use standardised colour systems (e.g., Pantone, CMYK) to ensure accurate colour matching.

Effective colour management is essential to maintain brand consistency and produce visually appealing labels that meet client expectations. We pride ourselves on offering consistent and true-to-design colour matching thanks to our use of quality equipment. Plus, our online portal for ordering and proofing enables you to understand the output upfront.

What Finishing Techniques Do Your Labels Require?

Finishing techniques can significantly improve a label’s appearance and functionality. Printers should explore various options such as varnishes, laminates, and specialty coatings to enhance durability, protect labels from environmental factors, or add visual effects (e.g., gloss, matte, holographic). These finishing touches can elevate a label’s aesthetic appeal and provide added value for clients.

For instance, utilising white ink under the CMYK layer can really make colours pop. Check out this example from our range:

Quality label with white ink in outdoor application
See how the sticker on the left utilises a white ink to make the colours really stand out.

Quality Label Printing Requires Precise Cutting

Precision matters for creating labels with clean, consistent edges and the desired shape and size. Printers must ensure precise cutting to avoid issues such as misalignment or excess waste material. The converting process, which includes steps like slitting, rewinding, and sheeting, should also be carefully managed to maintain label quality and functionality.

Mediapoint is one of only a few printers that can offer labels laser-cut from the backside. This leads to the most precise finish on labels / stickers. No excess material or white edges to ruin the work you’ve put into design.

Quality Control Processes

To maintain the highest quality in label printing, printers should implement a comprehensive quality control system. This may involve prepress checks, regular equipment maintenance, and thorough inspection of the final product. By identifying and addressing potential issues early in the process, printers can minimise waste, reduce production costs, and ensure customer satisfaction.

Of course, when you outsource printing, production QC is managed by your trade printer. Your main responsibility as a print reseller, or designer if you’re completing in-house, is to proof artwork ahead of submission. As a Lean organisation ourselves, we also recommend reviewing your design processes regularly to eliminate wasted time, effort and avoidable mistakes.

By focusing on these key considerations you can deliver quality labels to your clients. At Mediapoint we’ve taken all of these into account to determine our offerings. This means you can have peace-of-mind that labels and stickers printer with us will be durable, visually appealing, and functional.

We have a commitment to quality, and attention to detail, that will not only enhance customer satisfaction but increase your reputation too.

If you’re a print reseller and yet to register for a Trade Account with Mediapoint – you can sign up here. Access 24/7 live pricing, industry-leading turnaround and a wide range of products.

4 Ways Mediapoint Excels at Trade Printing Services

Posted on by Jamie Xuereb

When it comes to trade printing services in Australia, we’re confident that Mediapoint leads the pack. For over 17 years, we’ve refined our processes and products. All dedicated to serving high-volume resellers with unparalleled trade printing services.

Below, we’ve reflected on the top reasons we believe Mediapoint the best choice for Australian print resellers and brokers.

1. Our Trade-Only Commitment

At Mediapoint, we’ve made a commitment to focus solely on trade printing services. We’re proud to work exclusively with businesses that resell print products, ensuring that we can tailor our services to perfectly meet your needs. It also streamlines the entire printing process, allowing you to get on with the business of selling print – and us to get the job done to an exceptional quality. This efficiency leads to cost savings that can be passed on directly. Partners can enjoy greater profit margins and can trust us to deliver, no matter the volume.

Many other businesses claim to be ‘trade only’ but still deal with the retail customer – which can lead to competition with your trade partner and loss of business.

2. Our Ordering System is Built for Trade Printing Services

We understand that time is a critical factor for our clients. That’s why we’ve invested in an intuitive online ordering system combined with an automated proofing platform. This ensures that we complete jobs to exact specifications and within tight timelines.

 In fact, over 80% of our products can be dispatched by 1 pm AEST the next business day if ordered by the cut-off time. This allows our partners to sell flexibly and provide superior service to their own clients. By focusing exclusively on printing and forgoing design services, we’re able to expedite job completion and further reduce costs.

3. Our State-of-the-Art Equipment

Quality is non-negotiable for us at Mediapoint. To deliver on our promise of quality, we’ve equipped ourselves with a broad range of state-of-the-art machinery. 

From advanced flatbed printers to precise label and sticker printing and cutting equipment, we’re prepared to handle all trade requirements. We strive to match the right equipment to each specific job, ensuring consistent quality outcomes every time.

In fact, not only have we just installed one of Australia’s most advanced sticker and label printers, we’re also further investing in our flatbed lineup to provide even more value to our print resellers.

Jamie Xuereb Celebrating New Durst Printer
Jamie Xuereb (Mediapoint CEO) celebrates the successful install of our new Durst Tau 330 RSC E

In essence, our exclusive focus on trade printing, our commitment to efficiency through our user-friendly ordering system, and our comprehensive range of advanced equipment set us apart in the trade printing industry. 

4. Two Decades of Australian Commercial Print Experience

In 2023, the Australian commercial print industry is characterised by its adaptability and resilience, continually reinventing itself in response to changing market demands. We’ve been doing that since day one. The Mediapoint trade printing story started in our lounge room and we haven’t stopped growing in over 17 years.

Print Equipment in the Family Home Melbourne
Our first workshop was in the family home!
Mediapoint Trade Print Warehouse Melbourne
Just a small corner of our Melbourne commercial printing facility.

Maintaining constant feedback loops with our clients, investing in quality equipment, and pivoting to a true ‘trade only’ business model might seem simple – but it’s not as common as you might think. We’ve always been transparent with our pricing, our Lean service model and our processes and will continue to do so well into the future.

With Mediapoint as your printing partner, you can concentrate on growing your business, secure in the knowledge that we’re here to deliver the best in trade printing services.

Put us to the test – sign up for an account today to view our range of products and see just how much you can save on trade printing services without sacrificing quality.

4 Key Considerations of High-Volume Label and Sticker Printing

Posted on by Jamie Xuereb

Like any job that requires a trade printer, there are numerous factors to consider when it comes to high-volume label and sticker printing.

Here we dive into the a few considerations for print resellers and brokers to achieve the best outcome on this growing market sector. From material selection, to design and application considerations – we touch on it below.

Material Selection for High-Volume Label and Sticker Printing

One of the most critical decisions when printing labels and stickers is choosing the right material. The material used can greatly affect the appearance, durability, and functionality of the labels. Some common options include paper, vinyl, polyester, and polypropylene. Each material has its advantages and disadvantages. Some materials also don’t lend themselves to high-volume label printing due to fragility or useful life.

For instance, paper is affordable and versatile but lacks the durability of vinyl or polypropylene. Your choice should largely depend on the product’s environment, lifespan, and exposure to elements such as water, UV light, or chemicals.

At Mediapoint we can also offer high quality BOPP for stickers. This opens up a range of applications and extends the effective life of labels. So, no matter what the end user requires – you can make it happen!

Label Design Considerations

The design of your labels and stickers is another crucial factor to consider. Ensure that the design is clear, readable, and eye-catching, especially for product labels that serve as a vital marketing tool. It’s also important to consider color consistency.

Different print shops use different colour models like CMYK or Pantone Matching System (PMS). Understanding the differences between these models will help ensure your design colours match your expectations.

With the aforementioned BOPP, we can now even offer White ink printing which can really make things POP. White ink enhances CMYK colours, making them solid and vibrant. You can see the difference in the image below:

High volume sticker and label printing produced for outdoor application with white Ink and without.
See how the colours are more vibrant and opaque when utilising white ink under CMYK on BOPP.

Sticker Adhesive Options for High-Volume Label Printing

The type of adhesive used in your labels and stickers is another key consideration. Some adhesives are designed for permanent application, while others are made to be removable or repositionable. The choice of adhesive should depend on how and where the label or sticker will be used.

For example, if you’re printing labels for food packaging, you’ll likely need an adhesive that can withstand refrigeration or freezing. If you’re creating stickers for a display or installation that might be moved – you’ll want to use a weaker adhesive (or have duplicate stickers prepared).

Size and Shape of Stickers

The size and shape of your labels and stickers can greatly influence their cost, effectiveness, and design. If your labels are too large or small, they may not fit properly on the product. Irregular or complex shapes can also present challenges during application, particularly if the labels are to be applied by machine.

At Mediapoint we have the largest range of options when it comes to sizes and shapes of stickers. That means resellers can offer their customers high-volume label printing without worrying about whether they can deliver. Artwork can be submitted and proofed online making high volume label and sticker printing a breeze. Our order portal will provide instant notification that the sticker shape / size can be produced.

To view our range of label and sticker options (and live pricing) simply register for an account today.

Why BOPP is the Top Choice for Stickers & Labels

Posted on by Jamie Xuereb

Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) is an incredibly durable plastic – making it perfect for printing applications. We discuss the benefits below.

When it comes to label and sticker printing, picking the right material is a key consideration. One option that consistently outperforms others is Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene. This material, known in industry circles as BOPP, offers great durability, flexibility, sustainability and cost-effectiveness.

It’s also a tried and tested material that’s been around for several decades. Even if you didn’t know the name – you’ve likely encountered something printed using BOPP. So, let’s dive into why clear BOPP should be a go-to material of choice when printing labels and stickers…

BOPP is Designed for Excellence

In simple terms, BOPP is a plastic film stretched in two directions during production. This dual-direction orientation increases BOPP’s strength and flexibility. That gives it superior characteristics that make it a cut above the rest for various applications. Perhaps the most common is for labelling and packaging – where it provides a canvas for incredible clarity of print and eye-catching colour.

BOPP Labels on rolls
BOPP Labels on Rolls

The benefits don’t end there:

  • Firstly, BOPP is a printer’s dream. Whether water-based or solvent-based inks are required, BOPP labels can handle it, delivering crisp, clear images and text. It can even handle white ink with clarity – something unique in label printing.
  • BOPP is particularly resilient – it can stand up to water, oil, a variety of chemicals, and UV light, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor applications. That’s why most labels on goods exposed to challenging conditions (like in kitchens, bathrooms, or outdoor environments) use this material.
  • There is also versatility when it comes to the overall appearance of a label / sticker. It can produce crystal-clear labels for see-through packaging or opaque labels for designs that require a solid colour backdrop.
BOPP stickers in outdoor application
BOPP Stickers in Outdoor Application Showcasing Opaque and Transparent Capabilities

Comparing other Label Materials with BOPP

So how does this material stack up against the common alternatives you’ll find listed at print shops?

Paper Labels

Paper labels are generally cheaper to produce but they just can’t compete with BOPP’s resilience to water, oil, and other harsh conditions. Even better, BOPP stickers are more tear and scratch-resistant than paper alternatives. The useful life of paper is also far shorter than this plastic alternative.

Vinyl Stickers

Vinyl stickers have become more and more popular in recent times. It’s likely that the brand stickers you see adorning many laptops and cars are vinyl. This material also holds up pretty well over a longer term – however BOPP still edges it out on durability. Despite being thinner, this plastic doesn’t compromise on durability or strength, and in fact – it makers it easy to cut, peel, and apply.

BOPP Stickers and Label Printing At Mediapoint

With its strong features, versatility, and competitive edge, it stands as a top choice for labels. As we strive towards a future where resilience, functionality, and sustainability are more important than ever, BOPP continues to demonstrate its value. We can help you unlock its potential and produce the best quality stickers the best prices.

In fact we recently installed Australia’s finest printing equipment for label and sticker printing. This advanced piece of kit, complements our expertise and can handle all your BOPP printing needs. Whether you need only a handful of labels or are looking to cater to organisations requiring large quantities, Mediapoint is your go-to trade printer.

Create an account today to access trade pricing on stickers and labels. Click here to get started!

Introducing an Exciting New Product: White Ink Printing for Clear BOPP!

Posted on by Jamie Xuereb

At Mediapoint, we’re thrilled to announce the addition of white ink printing on Clear BOPP, available both on sheets and rolls. Our state-of-the-art Durst Tau printer utilizes UV White ink, allowing us to print an impressive 900 square meters of white ink per hour.

But why is white ink so important? Well, when it comes to printing on dark backgrounds, white ink plays a crucial role in achieving solid, vibrant colors. By incorporating white ink alongside CMYK, we can make your designs truly pop. To illustrate the difference, take a look at our real-world examples below.

In the first photo, we’ve placed a sample sticker with white ink on a standard window, while a standard CMYK label without white ink serves as a comparison. Notice how the white ink enhances the CMYK colors, making them more solid and vibrant, whereas the non-white ink sample appears washed out and barely visible.

To ensure the best results, we recommend positioning your white ink slightly offset beneath the CMYK layer. This adjustment helps align the colors and eliminates any visible white edges, resulting in a seamless and professional finish.

Even on a dark black background, our white ink remains strong and impactful compared to other digital inks. You can trust that your designs will stand out brilliantly, leaving a lasting impression on your audience.

We’ve also received inquiries from resellers about covering text or images. In the image above, you’ll notice the combination of CMYK with white ink underneath, as well as an example of white ink solely covering black text. It’s important to note that this technique does not provide complete blockout coverage; some showthrough may still occur.

With our white ink printing capability, you can unlock a whole new level of creativity and visual impact. Get in touch with us today to explore the possibilities and elevate your print reselling business to new heights.

To register to our Orders system and get pricing on White Ink Labels for your customer, Register Here.

Flat Fee Shipping For Trade Large Format Printing

Posted on by Jamie Xuereb

We’re introducing flat fee shipping for trade large format printing – read on to learn how to claim this fantastic deal.

We are regularly speaking with. and listening to the feedback of, our print resellers and brokers. Over the last few years a consistent pain point has been varying shipping costs. Particularly when it comes to shipping large format printing ordered through our PrintIQ system.

So we’re introducing something that is sure to make life easier (and make savings bigger)…

FLAT FEE SHIPPING TO CERTAIN METRO AREAS

We have introduced flat fee shipping for large format printing to certain metro postcodes within the following cities:

  • Melbourne
  • Sydney
  • Brisbane
  • Adelaide

PARAMETERS ON FLAT FEE SHIPPING FOR LARGE FORMAT PRINTING

Of course, we need to make this deal fair and equitable for all parties. So there are a few requirements to claim flat fee shipping for trade large format printing from Mediapoint.

  1. Flat fee is available for board jobs under 150cm x 120cm in size.
  2. This freight method uses budget carriers such as Couriers Please and TFM in postcodes they are strong in.
    • Please note we do not guarantee a date of delivery with this freight method. Unfortunately it is out of our control. There will be no recourse action on any deliveries until 21 business days after the date of dispatch. We do however, expect that this issue would only occur in rare instances.

HOW TO ACCESS

When quoting in PrintIQ, any postcodes and job sizes which fit into these parameters will default to the new ‘Economy – Road‘ option. This is the option for flat feee shipping for large format printing.

If you do not want this to apply you will need to select an alternative freight option.

If you have any questions about this new freight option please email us on trade@mediapoint.com.au

Key Considerations For Label Print Quality

Posted on by Jamie Xuereb

We review the elements of label print quality using our new equipment to help you understand, compare and evaluate options.

The quality of label printing significantly influences the overall appeal and effectiveness of the product. For ourselves, and our print resellers, it also has an effect on reputation and customer satisfaction. As such, label print quality should never be an afterthought. Producing high quality stickers and labels, for whatever application a customer requires, can be a real boon for business.

What to Consider When it Comes to Label Print Quality

When considering print quality for labels and stickers, several factors come to play. We’ve addressed some key considerations in a sample print run on our new addition, the Durst Tau 330 RSC E to highlight these for you.

So let’s get into it…

Resolution: The Foundation of Label Print Quality

Perhaps the biggest consideration of any print job is resolution. Stickers and labels are no exception. Getting sharp imagery and legible text means using the right equipment and technology for the application.

When it comes to labels, you generally want a high DPI (Dots Per Inch) count and small drop size. The higher the DPI the more nuance you can give designs, and the smaller drop size the less dot gain occurs – leading to crisp print details.

The Durst Tau 330 RSC E boasts a resolution of 1200dpi and a 2 picoliter drop size. That combination results in a market-leading label print quality. Just check out the quality sheet below. It’s an A4 paper showcasing ‘worst case’ scenarios, pushing a machine to its least effective print mode. Design details still pop and the varying elements don’t bleed into each other.

Legibility of Small Text

Small text has always been a tricky element to print clearly. On par with colour richness and image resolution, text issues are the most noticeable label print quality defects.  Naturally, a majority of label and sticker printing jobs require small text. You don’t want packaging and branding details being missed – especially in applications that fall under strict regulations. 

The smaller you can print text, the more you can play around with text on a design. Plus, the more peace-of-mind you’ll have of information being accessible to the end audience.



Taking this to the extreme, we’ve been able to print text on the Durst at 1 point size. That’s text that requires a loupe to read. This text is illegible to the naked eye, but the legibility under magnification is a testament to the printer’s precision.

Even better, italicised text also come out beautifully. Even ‘reversed out’ printing still yields good results. See the images below from our test outcomes.



When designing sticker and label printing or evaluating your printer options, these elements really open up the range of applications.

Scannability of QR Codes & Barcodes

The ability to produce legible, scannable QR codes is of great concern to printers. It’s in high demand from the customers of print resellers post-2020. That’s thanks to take up of QR code functionality and how they can be used in packaging or marketing applications.

Again, when it comes to labels, these generally need to be printed at small sizes. The clarity of the code print influences its scannability – you can’t have lines bleeding into each other. 

In the above example you can see that under a loupe, the clarity of a 5mm QR code remains impeccable. This is the smallest size QR code that we have seen scan through any of our presses. Whilst not all applications will require such small sizing, it’s a testament to what’s possible using leading-edge tech. It opens up many options too for our print resellers and their customers. 

Barcodes in Any Direction

This leads me to a quick note on something often overlooked – directionality of barcodes. Due to the setup of generic label printers, printing barcodes often requires a change in orientation to ensure scannability. That means compromising on design and often extra work for designers. This can lead to lower customer satisfaction and longer lead times.



With the Durst Tau 330 RSC E, we can print barcodes in any direction. That gives our customers the confidence to submit label and sticker designs knowing codes will scan perfectly.

Rich Solid Colours

Colour richness is another instantly obvious aspect of label print quality that can significantly enhance overall appeal. It’s a factor influenced by the printer’s colour reproduction capabilities, ink quality, and the interaction between the ink and the printing medium.

The Durst Tau 330 RSC E, leveraging the advanced inkjet tech we mentions before, excels in this regard. Colours are both rich and vibrant, giving printed labels a high-end, premium look and feel. 

Durability and Useful Life

Many of the applications of stickers and labels require the product to maintain quality label printing over a long term. Furthermore, the products are usually regularly handled, exposed to light, and outdoor conditions.

So printing equipment that utilises ink sets specifically for these purposes, in combination with durable stock, can greatly affect useful life. Our stickers and labels are printed with UV resistant ink sets that don’t require lamination and withstand outdoor conditions for up to two years. This, of course, isn’t necessary for every use case but it provides peace-of-mind to the end user.

It also unlocks a wide range of applications in combination with custom size options (stickers of up to 1m in length), a large die library, and the aforementioned label print quality.

Our Aim for Label Print Quality

As you can see there are some clear pillars of label print quality when it comes to stickers and labels. Taking these into consideration when selecting a print partner for jobs can save you money and frustration.

At Mediapoint we’re not just addressing these concerns but pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in digital label and sticker printing. Whether it’s resolution, colour richness, readability of small text, scannability of QR codes and barcodes, or length of useful life. Our label and sticker solutions provide peace-of-mind and quality customers will love (at prices you’ll love).

We’re not just improving the quality of our customer’s labels; we’re enabling them to elevate their  brand and offer an enhanced experience and wider range to customers.

If you’re a business in need, or a print reseller / broker, looking for quality label and sticker printing – put us to the test. Register for a trade account today to access exclusive pricing and online ordering.

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