COLOUR LABEL PRINTING FOR ARTISAN FOOD PRODUCERS
Better Food Labels. Without the Big Print Runs.
Print professional, full-colour labels for jams, chutneys, sauces, honey and preserves whenever you need them.
New flavour? Seasonal recipe? Small production batch? Stop ordering hundreds or thousands of pre-printed labels for products that may only be available for a few weeks.
Epson ColorWorks printers let independent food producers create professional labels in-house, update artwork and product information, and print the quantities they actually need.
FOOD PACKAGING IDEAS
One Printer. A Different Label for Every Product.
Keep your branding consistent while changing flavours, ingredients, colours and product information between batches.
New Flavours. New Recipes. New Labels.
For independent food producers, product ranges rarely stay the same. New recipes, seasonal ingredients and changing production quantities can make pre-printed labels restrictive.
New Flavours
Introduce a new jam, chutney or sauce without committing to hundreds of labels before you know how quickly it will sell.
Small Batches
Produce labels for test batches, farmers' markets and limited production runs without large minimum quantities.
Seasonal Products
Change artwork for Christmas preserves, summer fruits, harvest ranges and seasonal gift products.
Recipe Changes
Update ingredients, product information and label designs without being left with unusable pre-printed stock.
WHY PRINT IN-HOUSE?
Why Artisan Food Producers Print Labels In-House
Bring label production into your own business and respond to new products, changing recipes and customer orders without waiting for another commercial print run.
01 / FLEXIBILITY
Print What You Need
Print 20 labels for a test batch, 200 for a farm shop order or larger quantities for established products.
02 / CONTROL
Change Designs Quickly
Update flavours, ingredients, weights, colours and artwork whenever product information changes.
03 / LESS WASTE
Reduce Obsolete Labels
Avoid holding large stocks of labels for products that may only be available for a few weeks or months.
04 / SPEED
Print When Products Are Ready
Produce labels when your jams, chutneys and sauces are ready to pack rather than waiting for another delivery.
Wondering whether in-house label printing would work for your business? Our interactive printer finder can help you identify a suitable Epson ColorWorks model based on your requirements.
INTERACTIVE FOOD LABEL PRINTER FINDER
Which Food Label Printer Is Right for You?
Answer five quick questions about your jar labels, production volumes and materials. We'll suggest an Epson ColorWorks printer to consider.
EPSON COLORWORKS PRINTER RANGE
Which Epson ColorWorks Printer Is Best for Food Labels?
The right printer depends on your label dimensions, production volume and whether labels are applied manually or as part of a more automated process.
COMPACT DESKTOP
Epson ColorWorks C4000e
A strong starting point for smaller food producers.
A compact colour label printer suited to short runs, changing flavours and manually applied jar labels.
Ideal for artisan food producers, farm shops and businesses bringing professional colour label printing in-house.
Explore C4000eGROWING PRODUCTION
Epson ColorWorks C6000 Series
For businesses printing labels regularly.
A more production-oriented option for businesses managing multiple products, flavours and regular print batches.
Consider cutter and peeler configurations when choosing a printer for your production workflow.
Explore C6000 OptionsWIDER LABELS
Epson ColorWorks C6500 Series
For larger jars and wider labels.
Supports wider media than the C4000e and C6000 families, making it useful for larger packaging formats.
Worth considering for wide wraparound labels, larger containers and more demanding production requirements.
Explore C6500 OptionsNot Sure Which Printer to Choose?
Send us your label dimensions, approximate monthly quantity and preferred material. We'll help you compare Epson ColorWorks models and suitable label stock.
FOOD LABEL COST & WASTE CALCULATOR
How Much Are Unused Food Labels Costing Your Business?
Different flavours, changing recipes and seasonal product ranges can leave food producers with boxes of pre-printed labels they never use.
Enter a few figures to estimate your annual pre-printed label expenditure and the value of labels potentially going to waste.
Include different flavours, recipes and seasonal designs.
Your typical pre-printed label order quantity.
For example, enter 0.10 for 10p per label.
Include labels left over when products sell out or recipes change.
SEE BEFORE YOU BUY
See Your Own Food Labels Printed Before You Buy
Already have artwork for your jams, chutneys, sauces or preserves? Request an Epson ColorWorks print sample and see how your branding, colours and product information look before investing in a printer.
STEP 01
Send Your Artwork
Use an existing food label or artwork for a new flavour, recipe or seasonal product.
STEP 02
Evaluate the Print
Check the appearance of colours, fine text, ingredients, barcodes and other printed details.
STEP 03
Choose Your Printer
Use the sample, label dimensions and expected production volume to help identify the right ColorWorks setup.
Not sure which label material to use? Tell us about your jars, bottles, storage conditions and preferred finish so we can help you assess suitable media.
FOOD LABEL PRINTING APPLICATIONS
One Printer. An Entire Product Range.
From traditional strawberry jam to small-batch hot sauces, one Epson ColorWorks printer can support a wide variety of food labels, flavours and seasonal designs.
JAMS & PRESERVES
Jam Labels
Strawberry, raspberry, blackberry, plum, rhubarb, gooseberry and seasonal fruit preserve labels.
CHUTNEYS & RELISHES
Chutney Labels
Traditional chutneys, onion chutney, tomato chutney, fruit chutneys and speciality recipes.
SAUCES & MARINADES
Sauce Labels
Hot sauces, chilli sauces, BBQ sauces, cooking sauces, marinades and table sauces.
HONEY & BEE PRODUCTS
Honey Jar Labels
Labels for local honey, different harvests, speciality varieties and gift packaging.
MARMALADES
Marmalade Labels
Traditional, fine-cut, thick-cut, orange, lemon, grapefruit and seasonal marmalade labels.
PICKLES & FERMENTED FOODS
Pickle Labels
Pickled vegetables, onions, relishes, fermented foods and speciality preserved products.
CONDIMENTS
Condiment Labels
Mustards, dressings, oils, vinegars, dips, spreads and speciality condiments.
LIMITED EDITIONS
Seasonal Food Labels
Christmas preserves, gift sets, farmers' market specials, seasonal recipes and limited collaborations.
Different flavours don't necessarily require different blank label rolls. Where the label size and material remain the same, you can change the printed artwork between products.
WHO IS IT FOR?
Ideal for Artisan & Independent Food Producers
In-house colour label printing is particularly useful for businesses with changing product ranges, smaller production runs or multiple flavours and recipes.
ARTISAN FOOD
Jam & Preserve Makers
Print different labels across a wide range of flavours without holding pre-printed stock for every recipe.
FARM RETAIL
Farm Shops
Create branded labels for own-brand preserves, sauces, honey, pickles and locally produced foods.
SPECIALITY RETAIL
Delicatessens
Produce professional labels for own-brand food products, seasonal ranges and gift packaging.
FOOD MANUFACTURING
Small Food Manufacturers
Bring label production in-house as product ranges, wholesale orders and production volumes grow.
DIRECT SALES
Farmers' Market Producers
Produce labels for smaller batches, new products and seasonal market ranges.
PRIVATE LABEL
Contract & Private-Label Producers
Create different artwork for suitable customer-specific product runs without keeping large stocks of pre-printed labels.
FOOD LABEL MATERIALS
Choosing the Right Labels for Jars & Food Packaging
The printer is only part of the solution. Label material, adhesive, dimensions and finish all affect how your finished product looks and how well the label performs.
EVERYDAY LABELLING
Paper Labels
A practical option for many dry, general-purpose food labelling applications, including jams, preserves and products stored at room temperature.
ADDITIONAL RESISTANCE
Synthetic Labels
Suitable synthetic media can provide additional resistance to moisture, condensation and handling where the application requires it.
NATURAL APPEARANCE
Matte Labels
A matte finish can complement traditional preserve jars, artisan food packaging and natural-looking product branding.
BRIGHTER PRESENTATION
Gloss Labels
Compatible gloss materials can provide a polished finish for colourful sauces, condiments and retail food packaging.
Choosing a C4000e? The matte-black and gloss-black configurations should be considered alongside your intended label material. It's worth deciding on the finished label appearance before purchasing the printer.
LABEL PERFORMANCE
Will Your Labels Stay Attached to the Jar?
The right label needs to look good and remain attached throughout packing, storage, transport and normal customer handling.
Permanent Adhesives
Suitable permanent adhesives help labels remain securely attached to glass jars, plastic bottles and other compatible packaging surfaces.
Refrigerated Products
Chilled storage and condensation can affect label performance. The material and adhesive should be selected for the intended temperature and application conditions.
Moisture & Handling
Products exposed to moisture, splashes or frequent handling may benefit from compatible synthetic label materials and suitable adhesives.
Glass & Plastic Containers
Different surfaces can affect adhesion. The container material, shape and surface condition should be considered when choosing label stock.
Important for hot-filled or pasteurised products: Label materials and adhesives must be assessed against the actual filling, cooling, cleaning and storage process. A standard paper label should not automatically be assumed suitable for high temperatures or wet application conditions.
JAR LABEL FORMATS
One Wraparound Label or Separate Front & Back Labels?
The best label format depends on your jar size, branding, the information you need to display and how labels will be applied.
OPTION 01
Wraparound Jar Labels
A larger label wraps around the jar, combining front branding with ingredients and other product information.
This can create a consistent appearance and reduce the number of separate labels being applied, provided the label dimensions and application method suit the container.
OPTION 02
Separate Front & Back Labels
A branded front label can be paired with a separate information label for ingredients, allergens, nutritional information and other product details.
This approach can offer flexibility where branding and detailed product information require different label areas.
Not Sure What Size Label You Need?
Measure the usable area of your jar or bottle, including its height and circumference. For tapered or unusually shaped containers, it's worth testing a physical label before ordering media.
Get Help Choosing Jar LabelsFOOD LABEL INFORMATION
Make Space for the Information Your Food Label Needs
Attractive branding is important, but food labels also need to accommodate product information. The exact requirements depend on the food, packaging and how the product is sold.
Product Name
Clearly identify the food being sold, including the appropriate product description.
Ingredients
Include ingredients information where required, with enough space for clear, readable text.
Allergen Information
Where required, regulated allergens must be appropriately emphasised within the ingredients information.
Net Quantity
Display the appropriate product weight or volume where required.
Date Information
Include applicable best-before or use-by information as part of the product labelling process.
Business Details
Allow space for required food-business operator details and other applicable identification information.
Storage Instructions
Include relevant storage conditions and instructions where necessary.
Nutrition Information
Provide nutritional information where applicable, using a suitable layout and readable text.
Important: Food labelling requirements vary by product and sales channel. Tek Direkt supplies printing equipment and consumables, not regulatory compliance advice. Always check the applicable food labelling requirements before finalising your artwork.
CLEAR, FLEXIBLE FOOD LABELLING
Change the Recipe. Update the Label.
One of the advantages of digital colour label printing is the ability to update artwork and product information without ordering another batch of pre-printed labels.
INGREDIENTS
Readable Small Text
Print detailed ingredients, storage information and other product text with a suitable high-resolution printer and label design.
ALLERGENS
Emphasised Allergens
Incorporate appropriate emphasis, such as bold text, for allergens where required by the applicable food labelling rules.
BATCH DETAILS
Variable Information
Include batch references, product variations and other changing details within a suitable artwork and printing workflow.
PRODUCT CHANGES
Updated Recipes
Revise ingredients, product descriptions and artwork when recipes change, reducing the risk of holding obsolete printed labels.
FROM ARTWORK TO FINISHED JAR
How In-House Food Label Printing Works
Bring professional label printing into your existing production process with four straightforward steps.
1
Prepare Your Artwork
Create or update your label design with branding, product information and the details required for your food.
2
Load Blank Labels
Use compatible blank label rolls in the correct size, finish and material for your jars or containers.
3
Print What You Need
Print labels for the current batch, changing artwork between products and flavours as required.
4
Apply to Your Jars
Apply the finished labels manually or incorporate them into a suitable production workflow as volumes grow.
COMPARE YOUR OPTIONS
Pre-Printed Food Labels vs Printing In-House
For some food producers, pre-printed labels make perfect sense. For others, the flexibility of printing in-house can be a significant advantage, particularly where products and recipes change frequently.
| Consideration | Pre-Printed Labels | In-House Colour Printing |
|---|---|---|
| Large, stable print runs | Can be cost-effective | Depends on total printing costs |
| Small production batches | Minimum quantities may apply | Print the quantity required |
| New flavours | New printed stock may be required | Change the digital artwork |
| Seasonal products | Risk of unused labels | Print according to demand |
| Recipe changes | Existing labels may become obsolete | Update artwork before printing |
| Lead times | Dependent on supplier | Print when required with supplies available |
| Equipment investment | No colour printer required | Printer investment required |
| Ongoing costs | Printed labels and delivery | Ink, blank labels and maintenance |
Want to compare the actual costs? Tell us your current label price, order quantities and how frequently your designs change. We can help you assess whether Epson ColorWorks printing makes financial sense.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Food Label Printing FAQs
Can I print my own jam labels?
Yes. A colour label printer allows you to print your own branding and product information onto compatible blank label stock.
Can one printer handle different flavours?
Yes. You can change artwork between products without needing separate rolls of pre-printed labels for each flavour.
Can I print chutney and sauce labels on the same printer?
Yes, provided the media dimensions and materials are compatible with the printer.
Which printer is best for a small food business?
The Epson ColorWorks C4000e is a useful starting point for many smaller producers. The correct choice depends on label width, print volume and workflow.
Can I print barcodes and QR codes?
Yes. Suitable barcode and QR code artwork can be included, subject to the print quality and scanning requirements of the application.
Can I print just 50 or 100 labels?
Yes. Short-run printing is one of the main reasons businesses consider bringing label printing in-house.
Can I print labels for refrigerated products?
Yes, using suitable label materials and adhesives selected for the intended temperature, moisture and handling conditions.
Can I see a sample before buying?
Yes. Request an Epson ColorWorks print sample using your own suitable artwork before deciding on a printer.
PRINTERS, LABELS & INK
Buy Your Food Label Printer from Tek Direkt
We supply Epson ColorWorks printers, compatible label media and consumables, and can help you identify a suitable setup for your products and production requirements.
Printer Selection
Help comparing Epson ColorWorks models based on your label size, production volume and requirements.
Free Print Samples
See your own food label artwork printed before investing in equipment.
Labels & Consumables
Ask about compatible blank label media, Epson inks and consumables for your setup.
Business Pricing
Already have a ColorWorks quote? Send us the manufacturer part number and price for comparison.
FOOD LABEL PRINTING
Ready to Print Your Food Labels In-House?
Whether you're launching a new food product, changing your packaging or looking to reduce unused pre-printed labels, we can help you find a suitable setup.
Send us your label dimensions, approximate monthly quantity and an example of your artwork.
We'll help you compare Epson ColorWorks printers, compatible label materials and running costs.
No calls. No meetings. No messing about. Just straightforward help and a price.