A Guide to the Best Printer for Product Labels: Which One Should You Choose?

TL;DR Choosing the right printer for product labels ensures professional, compliant, and high-impact packaging without relying on third-party vendors. The Afinia L502 is ideal for small businesses needing flexible printing with both dye and pigment ink options. The VIPColor VP500 is a fast, industrial-grade printer perfect for large volumes and vibrant colour output using Memjet technology. The Afinia LT5C is the only compact printer with white toner support, great for premium brands and specialty substrates like metallic or transparent labels. The Primera LX4000 uses pigment-based ink for ultra-durable labels that resist UV, water, and abrasion—ideal for compliance or outdoor use. The Primera LX610 is perfect for short-run, custom-shaped labels, combining full-colour inkjet printing with a built-in die-less cutter. Factors like print speed, resolution, ink type, connectivity, and material compatibility are crucial when choosing the best printer for product labels. Memjet printers (e.g., VP500, VP550, L801) are best for high-speed and high-volume operations, while pigment or laser printers are ideal for durability and compliance. Most commercial label printers rely on USB and Ethernet (not Wi-Fi) for fast, uninterrupted data transfer in professional workflows. Investing in your own printer gives you control over branding, quicker turnaround, lower costs, and the flexibility to print labels as needed.

Choosing the best printer for product labels can make or break your packaging game, especially if you're aiming for a professional, polished look from the comfort of your home or office. Whether you're a small business owner, a DIY enthusiast, or a startup looking to cut costs, finding the right label printer ensures your products stand out on the shelf and comply with industry standards.

In this guide, we’ll break down the top options available, what features to look for, and how to pick the perfect fit based on your label design, volume, and durability needs.

Which Are the Best Printers for Product Labels in 2025?

Looking for the best printer for product labels that fits your product, design, and budget needs? Whether you're in cosmetics, food & beverage, supplements, or artisan goods, the right label printer can transform how your product is seen and how efficiently your team works. Below, we break down five standout models that excel in quality, performance, and flexibility.

1. Afinia L502 Color Label Printer 

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Best for: Small to mid-sized businesses needing vibrant, professional-quality labels for retail, cosmetics, food, and promo packaging.

The Afinia L502 is a flexible, mid-range color label printer built with small businesses in mind. It's the ideal balance between affordability, quality, and industrial-grade performance.

Key Highlights:

• DuraPrime™ Duo Ink Technology: Start with dye inks for vivid, photo-quality output and upgrade to pigment inks for waterproof and chemical-resistant labels.

• Wide Material Compatibility: Prints on matte/glossy paper, polypropylene, and even metallic/polyester labels.

• Separate CMYK Cartridges: Reduce ink waste by replacing only the colors you use.

• Industrial Design: Steel construction, reflective sensor support, and integrated pause/cut functions make this more than just a desktop printer.

Ideal Use Cases:

• Retail packaging (candles, soaps, food jars)

• Skincare and cosmetic labels

• Beverage labeling with rich, high-saturation graphics

Technical Specs:

• Price: USD $2,795

• Print Width: Up to 8.5 inches

• Resolution: 4800 dpi

• Speed: 5.2 ips

• Ink Type: Dye-based (Upgradeable to pigment)

Why It’s a Top Pick:
It’s rare to find a printer at this price point that offers industrial features and interchangeable ink systems. It grows with your business and cuts down on waste, making it a perfect in-house printing workhorse.

2. VIPColor VP500 Color Label Printer

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Best for: Industrial users needing high-speed, full-colour label production with razor-sharp image quality.

Built for speed and precision, the VIPColor VP500 uses Memjet’s dye ink technology to produce beautiful, high-resolution labels fast.

Key Highlights:

• Print Speed of 8 ips: Ideal for fast-paced environments.

• 1600 dpi Memjet Printhead: Delivering crisp details and vibrant tones.

• Bundled Essentials: Includes 5 x 200 ml ink cartridges (CMYKK), printhead, and unwinder for a ready-to-print experience.

• Roll-to-Roll Support: Optional rewinder for uninterrupted production.

Ideal Use Cases:

• Large-scale product lines (e.g., food manufacturing, supplements)

• Cannabis/CBD packaging with bold designs

• Companies needing short-run, just-in-time label production

Technical Specs:

• Price: USD $3,995

• Print Width: 8.5 inches

• Resolution: 1600 dpi

• Speed: 8 ips

• Ink Type: Memjet dye ink

Why It’s a Top Pick:
If you’re scaling your production, the VP500 is your ally. It balances print quality with industrial-grade performance, and the Memjet print system ensures lower cost per label over time.

3.  Afinia LT5C CMTK plus White Toner Color Label Printer

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Best for: Premium brands needing creative flexibility (white toner), durability, and wide substrate compatibility.

This is not just a printer, it’s a design tool for luxury and specialty label printing. The Afinia LT5C is the only compact laser printer that supports white toner, making it perfect for printing on dark, clear, metallic, or specialty materials.

Key Highlights:

• White Toner Support: CMYK + White enables printing on black or transparent labels for maximum visual impact.

• Laser Tech Benefits: Labels are waterproof, UV-resistant, and scratch-resistant, ideal for demanding environments.

• Media Versatility: Works with polyester, vinyl, BOPP, and other heat-sensitive substrates due to low-temp LED fusing.

Ideal Use Cases:

• Clear cosmetic labels with white ink

• High-end wine/spirit labels with metallic finishes

• Gourmet food packaging with matte or textured stock

Technical Specs:

• Price: USD $13,599

• Print Width: 5 inches

• Resolution: 1200 x 1200 dpi

• Speed: 6 ips

• Ink Type: Dry Toner (CMYK + White)

Why It’s a Top Pick:
No other compact label printer delivers this level of design freedom. From branding transparency to bold white-on-black visuals, the LT5C gives marketers and packaging designers an edge in competitive markets

4. Primera LX4000 Color Label Printer

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Best for: Durable, outdoor-safe labels where longevity matters more than vibrant aesthetics.

The LX4000 focuses on long-term durability, using pigment-based inks for fade, water, and UV resistance, perfect for compliance labeling or products that face extreme conditions.

Key Highlights:

• High-capacity pigment ink tanks

• Print width up to 8.25 inches

• Ideal for GHS, chemical, or medical labels

Ideal Use Cases:

• Chemical product packaging

• Outdoor-use labels (garden tools, fertilizer, construction supplies)

• Regulatory labels requiring pigment-based ink resilience

Technical Specs:

• Price: USD $3,499

• Print Width: 8.25 inches

• Resolution: 4800 dpi

• Speed: 4.5 ips

• Ink Type: Pigment Ink

Why It’s a Top Pick:
Not all product labels need splashy color, some need to last. The LX4000 helps you meet safety regulations without sacrificing print quality.

5. Primera LX610 Inkjet Color Label Printer and Cutter 74541

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Best for: Custom-shaped labels and short runs without outsourcing die-cutting.

The LX610 is the perfect solution for businesses that want to experiment with custom label shapes. It’s a printer and a cutter, allowing you to design and cut your labels in one go.

Key Highlights:

• Die-less Cutter Built-in: Create custom shapes directly from your label design.

• High-res dye-based printing: Perfect for colorful retail or boutique labels.

• User-Friendly Interface: Ideal for short runs or multi-SKU product lines.

Ideal Use Cases:

• Seasonal products, events, or promotional items

• Craft goods, handmade soaps, or gourmet snacks

• On-demand prototyping without external cutting costs

Technical Specs:

• Price: USD $2,849

• Print Width: 5 inches

• Resolution: 4800 dpi

• Speed: 4.5 ips

• Ink Type: Dye Inkjet

Why It’s a Top Pick:
If flexibility is key, the LX610 is unbeatable. You can print full-color labels in any shape, perfect for creative marketing or changing product lines without wasting inventory

What Key Features Should You Consider When Buying a Product Label Printer?

Choosing the best printer for product labels isn’t just about upfront cost; it’s about long-term performance. Whether you're printing for compliance, branding, or custom product lines, these three features make the biggest difference in daily operation.

Print Speed and Volume Capacity

How fast can a printer really go, and how many labels can it churn out per hour? This matters if you're dealing with high product turnover or need to meet tight shipping and production deadlines.

Let’s compare real-world label output based on printing a 4" circle label at best quality mode:

Printer Model	Print Speed (ips)	Labels/Hour	Price (USD)	Notes
L801	12.0	10,165	$8,495	Fastest: Memjet with internal unwinder
VP610	12.0	10,165	$4,995	Memjet with external unwinder
L701	8.0	6,776	$5,995	Memjet: external unwinder
VP500	8.0	6,776	$3,995	Best-value Memjet for vibrant prints
LT5C	6.0	5,082	$13,599	Laser with white toner support
L502	0.8	678	$2,795	Dye/pigment switchable; best under $3,500
LX4000	0.8	678	$3,499	Pigment inkjet with crisp detail
LX610	0.4	339	$2,849	Slowest but includes a built-in cutter
C6500	0.3	254	$3,499	Epson pigment inkjet; basic entry point

Key takeaway:
If you're producing thousands of labels per day, high-speed Memjet printers like the L801 or VP610 are hard to beat. For low-volume, high-detail boutique printing, the L502 or LX610 might be the better fit

Print Quality: Resolution and Ink Type

When choosing the best printer for product labels, understanding print resolution and ink type is essential. These two factors directly influence the sharpness of your design, colour vibrancy, and how long your labels can withstand moisture, sunlight, or abrasion.

Here’s a quick comparison of popular printers and how their resolution and ink systems stack up for different applications:

Printer Model	Resolution	Ink Type	Ideal For
L801 / VP610	1600 dpi	Memjet Dye	Speed + vibrant packaging labels
L502	4800 dpi	Dye or Pigment	Retail packaging, flexible options
LT5C	1200 dpi	Laser (CMYK + White)	High-end cosmetics, wine, and gourmet branding
LX4000	4800 dpi	Pigment or Dye Ink option	Durability-focused industries
LX610	4800 dpi	Dye or pigment ink options	Prototyping & custom shape boutique labels
C6500	1200 dpi	Pigment	Budget pigment entry for durable labels

Key takeaway:
If you need premium label aesthetics, higher resolution (1200–4800 dpi) and dye ink give you the best colour depth. For more challenging environments, pigment or laser provides lasting results.

Connectivity Options and Compatibility

Unlike everyday HP or office color printers, label printers are built for heavy-duty, high-data tasks, like rendering full-colour, high-res images at rapid speeds. As a result, they don’t support WiFi or Bluetooth, which can bottleneck performance.

Instead, color label printers rely on USB and Ethernet (LAN) for reliable, high-speed data transfer. Here's what you can expect across popular models:

Printer Model	USB	Ethernet	WiFi/Bluetooth
L801	✅	✅	❌
VP610	✅	✅	❌
LT5C	✅	✅	❌
L502	✅	✅	❌
LX610	✅	✅	❌
C6500	✅	✅	❌

Take Control of Your Brand: Get the Right Printer for Your Product Labels Today

Tired of waiting on third-party vendors? Want full creative freedom, faster turnaround times, and cost control? The right label printer puts you in charge of your branding and production.

Whether you need full-color labels, waterproof durability, or custom shapes, OmegaBrand reviewed the best-in-class printers to suit every budget and business model, from the high-speed VIPColor VP500 to the ultra-flexible Afinia LT5C with white toner technology.

• Save time with in-house printing.

• Reduce costs with on-demand label runs

• Print what you need, when you need it

• Impress customers with professional-quality packaging

Ready to get started?
Explore our top picks or reach out for a custom recommendation based on your product, volume, and design needs. The perfect label printer isn’t just a purchase; it’s a growth tool for your brand.

Conclusion

Choosing the best printer for product labels depends on your product type, print volume, material needs, and desired finish. Whether you're scaling up production with a high-speed Memjet printer like the L801 or aiming for design flexibility with the Afinia LT5C, there's a model that fits your workflow and branding goals.

From waterproof durability to custom-shaped labels, today's color label printers offer powerful tools to bring your packaging vision to life, without relying on outside vendors. Invest wisely, and you’ll gain more than just a printer; you’ll gain full control over your brand’s first impression.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of printer is best for waterproof product labels?

The best printer for product labels that need to be waterproof is typically a color inkjet printer using pigment-based ink or a laser printer with toner cartridges. These work best with waterproof labels like inkjet labels or laser labels, ensuring durability over a long time.

Can I print product labels with a regular inkjet or laser printer?

Yes, you can use a regular inkjet printer or any other best printer for product labels, especially if you use printable label sheets like Avery. Ensure your printer settings, paper sizes, and templates match the actual size to avoid misalignment or wasted sheet labels.

How do I choose the right label material for my products?

For color label printers, choose between matte or high-gloss paper labels for vivid print quality. High-gloss paper is ideal for vibrant colors, while synthetic labels like polypropylene or polyester offer superior durability, water resistance, and are better suited for products exposed to moisture or rough handling.

Is it more cost-effective to print my own labels or order them professionally?

Printing your own labels lets you produce small batches on demand, reducing waste when product details change. Professional printing usually requires large volume orders, which can be costly and less flexible if ingredients or packaging updates occur frequently, especially in food, cosmetics, or seasonal product lines.