Epson ColorWorks C4000 vs. Primera LX500 vs. Afinia L502 Pigment – Which Color Label Printer Fits Your Needs?

What’s the one thing that can instantly shape how customers perceive a product before they even try it? The label. For small businesses, boutique brands, and startups, a high-quality label printer isn’t just equipment—it’s an investment in first impressions, brand credibility, and compliance.

At OmegaBrand Sales Corporation, we help businesses get the most from their printing workflows with a wide range of desktop and industrial solutions. If you're considering upgrading from standard office printing to a professional, dedicated label printer, this guide will help you compare three powerful options: the Epson ColorWorks C4000, Primera LX500, and Afinia L502 Pigment.

We’ll break down their print resolution, media compatibility, ink type, pricing, and real-world use-cases so you can decide which one fits your labeling needs best.

Overview of the Label Printers

Let’s start with a quick introduction to each model.

Epson ColorWorks C4000

The Epson CW-C4000 is a pigment-based inkjet printer designed for businesses that need on-demand, durable, and high-resolution color labels. It offers a wide color gamut and is compatible with a variety of media, including matte, gloss, and synthetic labels.

• Ink Type:Pigment
• Max Print Resolution:1200 dpi
• Max Print Width:4”
• Media Compatibility:Compatible with roll-fed rolls with 4-inch diameter (small rolls) and fanfold media, including paper and synthetic label stocks.
• Price $2,199 USD

Primera LX500

The Primera LX500 is a dye-based printer built for businesses needing vibrant, small-scale color printing. It’s compact and affordable, making it a go-to for startups and boutique operations with low to moderate print volumes.

• Ink Type:Dye
• Max Print Resolution:4800 dpi
• Max Print Width:4”
• Media Compatibility:Compatible with various inkjet label materials (primarily paper and some synthetics) roll-fed rolls with up to 5-inch diameter.
• Price $ 1,799 USD

Afinia L502 Pigment

A more rugged choice, the Afinia L502 Pigment model offers industrial-level durability with pigment or dye inks and is designed for moisture- and UV-resistant labeling applications. It supports BS5609 compliance for GHS labeling with pigment inks or Prime product labels with dye inks.

• Ink Type:Pigment or Dye (User Changeable)
• Max Print Resolution:4800 dpi
• Max Print Width:8”
• Media Compatibility:Works with a broad range of label stocks including GHS-certified, paper, polypropylene, and polyester large label rolls with 3-inch core and up to 8 inch diameter rolls
• Price $2,795 USD
• 

Feature Comparison Table

Feature	Epson CW-C4000	Primera LX500	Afinia L502 Pigment
Max Print Width	4.25 inches	4 inches	8.5 inches
Max Resolution	1200 dpi	4800 dpi	4800 dpi
Ink System	Individual CMYK pigment cartridges	Single tri-color dye cartridge	Separate CMYK pigment or dye cartridges
Media Compatibility	4” OD Roll and fanfold; paper, synthetic, gloss, matte	5” OD Roll-fed Paper-based and synthetic inkjet labels	Large 8” OD Roll-fed paper,  GHS, waterproof, synthetic labels
Connectivity	USB, Ethernet, optional Wi-Fi	USB only	USB, Ethernet
OS & Software	Windows and macOS,	Windows	Windows

Choosing the Right Printer Based on Use-Cases

Now that we understand their features, let’s talk about which label printer fits which need.

1. Boutique Product Labels

Boutique brands in cosmetics, personal care, or artisan food businesses often require vibrant, eye-catching labels with limited quantities per SKU. Dye inks are best for vibrant colors

Best Fit:Primera LX500

Why: The LX500 produces vivid colors and is compact, which is ideal for small batch runs. It’s an affordable color label printer option when shelf appeal is a priority.

2. Startup Packaging

Startups selling online or via local stores need durable, high-quality labels that can handle varied conditions during shipping, storage, and customer use.

Best Fit:Epson CW-C4000

Why: It balances high-resolution printing with pigment ink durability, offering excellent value without jumping to industrial pricing levels. For a business needing a printer like the Epson C6500 or Epson C8000 but in a smaller form factor, this is an excellent choice.

3. Industrial or Chemical Labeling

When durability is more important than aesthetics—think warning labels, cleaning products, or outdoor items—compliance and resistance matter.

Best Fit:Afinia L502 Pigment

Why: Its pigment ink and synthetic media compatibility make it suitable for GHS-compliant and weatherproof labeling.

4. Event or Promotional Labels

Short-run prints for giveaways, conferences, or product launches often require fast, cost-effective solutions with minimal setup.

Best Fit:Primera LX500

Why: The compact design and easy operation make it a great fit for short-run promotional labeling, especially where volume isn’t a concern.

Pricing Breakdown and Maintenance

Let’s talk numbers and ongoing costs—because the initial price isn’t the only thing that matters.

Printer Cost Estimate (Approximate MSRP):

• Epson CW-C4000– ~$1,750
• Primera LX500– ~$1,295
• Afinia L502 Pigment– ~$2,400

Ink Cartridge Cost:

• Epson C4000:Individual CMYK cartridges (~$40–$50 each), replace only the color you use.
• Primera LX500:One tri-color cartridge (~$60–$70). Frequent replacements since all colors deplete together.
• Afinia L502 Pigment:Separate CMYK (~$50–$60 each). Designed for higher volumes and better cost-per-label ratios.

Maintenance Notes:

• Epson CW-C4000:Minimal maintenance. Built-in cutter and dust-resistant design.
• Primera LX500:Simple to maintain, though cartridge changes are frequent.
• Afinia L502 Pigment:Designed for tougher use, but regular nozzle cleaning is important for optimal print quality.

For businesses that rely on mobile labeling during shipping or at point-of-sale, pairing a desktop printer with a Zebra mobile printer or Zebra printer portable solution may offer a complete system. Portable barcode printer units from Zebra are often used alongside desktop systems to handle shipping labels and on-the-go tasks.

Let’s Get You Set Up with the Right Color Label Printer

Are you ready to improve the way your product looks on the shelf—or the way your brand shows up at customer unboxings? We understand that choosing the best printer for printing color labels can make or break a brand’s packaging strategy. At OmegaBrand Sales Corporation, we offer a wide selection of Epson, Afinia, and Primera label printer models along with expert guidance to help you decide.

We specialize in helping businesses—whether you’re just getting started or upgrading your workflow—find affordable color label printer solutions that match your speed, quality, and compliance needs. We also carry supporting accessories and hardware like Zebra portable barcode printer options, so you can handle both product and logistics labeling in one system.

Order your Epson CW-C4000, Primera LX500, or Afinia L502 Pigment printer from OmegaBrand Sales Corporation today—and take the next step toward packaging that performs as well as your product.