The State of The Label Industry

The Label Industry

I have decided to write about the state of the label industry and give some tips on how to navigate through this pandemic.  This post consists of information gathered from our vendors and supply lines.

First and foremost I would like to thank the people in my industry who go to work every day during this crisis to keep America moving.  It would be very easy for them to stay home with their families and ride this out.  They realize what a vital role they play in the supply chain.  To all of you, I say THANK YOU!

The Label Industry is Essential

Throughout my 30 years in this business most people do not give their labels much thought, or the label industry, in general. However,  labels play a very vital role in this world.  Labels certainly have proven to be a very essential product. Nothing is manufactured, warehoused, distributed, or shipped without a label on it.

We are thrilled that our business and industry was deemed an essential business, my mother would be proud, but it does present many challenges.  As the U.S. supply chain for products has become stressed and manufacturers have ramped up production, the need for labels has increased substantially.

Here is where the label industry is today:

  • Medical, food and hospital labels are taking priority
  • Some companies are starting to stock up on labels
  • We see lead-times moving from the standard 7-10 working days to now almost 15 working days
  • Label material suppliers have longer lead-times in getting us products

Most of the issues we are seeing today have to do with the influx of orders and in the reduced output due to the installation of new equipment, not the limited access to raw materials.

Tips on what you, the customer, can do:

  • Have a 90-day plan for your label purchases
  • Set up blanket orders.  This will help flatten out the manufacturing curve
  • Make sure you can accept deliveries.  You would be amazed at how many orders are rejected because the company has closed and did not tell us
  • Check out our on online store

I have been told that several label distributors have closed across the country during the shutdown and have left their customers without a source.  We are doing everything we can to mitigate the virus at our offices and stay open.

Please give us a call at  (888) 972 – 5234 or email us at info@PaladinID.com.

Looking very much for the day the country can get back to work and back on track again.  Please stay safe.

Sincerely,

Dana J. Ritchie

For more information on PaladinID

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Make Your Mark

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About PaladinID, LLC
PaladinID develops and supports high-performance barcode labeling applications. We work with our clients to “Make Your Mark” by providing the expertise and tools necessary to create an entire product label printing solution. Located in central New Hampshire, PaladinID has been serving Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New England, and beyond for over 30 years, and in 2017, became an RFID-certified company. We look forward to working with you.

You may be interested in our other services:

Product Labels

Product Labels

Labels for every type of application: Blank, Pre-printed, Variable data

Label Printers

Label Printers

We sell and support: Direct/thermal transfer, Inkjet, Laser

Printer Ribbons

Printer Ribbons

We sell ribbons for ALL barcode printers including: Zebra, Datamax, Sato, Intermec

Flexible Packaging

Flexible Packaging

We offer a wide variety of packaging containers for your products.

Label Software

Label Software

Software for all barcode printing and product labeling.

Label applicators

Label Applicators

Wide selection of applicators: Desktop/Mobile, Applicator only, Print & apply