Is your labeling system keeping pace with your production demands? Whether you’re experiencing frequent downtime, struggling with compliance issues, or simply wondering if there’s a better way, upgrading your labeling equipment is a significant investment that deserves careful consideration.
Before you commit to new labeling technology, it’s essential to conduct a thorough assessment of your current operations and future needs. We’ve created this comprehensive checklist to help you ask the right questions and make an informed decision that will serve your business for years to come.
Current System Performance
1. How much downtime are you experiencing with your current labeling system?
Track your unplanned stops, changeover times, and maintenance windows. If you’re losing more than 5-10% of production time to labeling issues, it’s time to explore more reliable solutions.
2. What is your actual labeling accuracy rate?
Misapplied labels lead to rework, waste, and potential compliance violations. Calculate your error rate across different products and shifts to understand the true cost of inaccuracy.
3. Are you meeting your current production speed requirements?
Your labeling system should never be the bottleneck. If operators are slowing down other processes to accommodate labeling limitations, you’re leaving money on the table.
Compliance and Quality Control
4. How confident are you in your traceability and lot tracking capabilities?
In regulated industries, the ability to track and trace products is non-negotiable. Your labeling system should integrate seamlessly with your quality management processes.
5. Are you able to quickly adapt to changing regulatory requirements?
Regulations evolve, and your labeling system needs the flexibility to accommodate new information requirements, barcode standards, or serialization mandates without major overhauls.
6. How many label-related quality issues or customer complaints do you receive?
Even minor labeling errors can damage customer relationships and brand reputation. Document these incidents to understand the full impact on your business.
Operational Efficiency
7. How long does it take to perform label changeovers?
In today’s manufacturing environment, quick changeovers are essential. If your team spends more than 15-20 minutes switching between products, automated or tool-free systems could dramatically improve efficiency.
8. What is your current label waste percentage?
Calculate the cost of wasted labels from mis-prints, setup errors, and rejected products. Modern labeling systems can reduce waste by 30-50% or more.
9. How much staff time is dedicated to labeling operations and troubleshooting?
Labor costs add up quickly. If you need dedicated personnel to babysit your labeling equipment, automation could free up valuable human resources for higher-value tasks.
Scalability and Future Needs
10. What are your production growth projections for the next 3-5 years?
Your labeling solution should accommodate anticipated growth without requiring another major investment. Consider both volume increases and product line expansions.
11. Are you planning to add new products, package sizes, or SKUs?
Versatility matters. Systems that handle multiple label sizes, substrates, and application methods provide flexibility as your product portfolio evolves.
12. Do you need to integrate labeling with other production systems?
Modern labeling equipment can communicate with ERP systems, MES platforms, and quality control databases. Integration eliminates manual data entry and reduces errors.
Technology and Innovation
13. What printing technologies are you currently using, and are they optimal?
Thermal transfer, direct thermal, inkjet, and laser technologies each have advantages. The right choice depends on your label durability requirements, print quality needs, and cost considerations.
14. Are you prepared for Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing initiatives?
Connected labeling systems provide real-time data on performance, predictive maintenance alerts, and remote diagnostics. These capabilities are becoming table stakes in competitive manufacturing environments.
15. What is your total cost of ownership for your current system?
Look beyond the initial purchase price. Factor in maintenance costs, consumables, labor, downtime, waste, and the cost of quality issues to understand the true expense of your current solution.
Next Steps: Get Your Free Labeling Assessment
Answering these 15 questions honestly will reveal whether your current labeling system is truly meeting your needs or if an upgrade could deliver significant operational improvements and cost savings.
At Ahearn & Soper Inc., we’ve helped hundreds of manufacturers optimize their labeling operations. Our comprehensive labeling assessment goes deeper than this checklist, examining your specific production environment, workflow, and business objectives to recommend solutions tailored to your unique requirements.
Schedule your free, no-obligation labeling assessment today.
During your assessment, our labeling specialists will:
· Evaluate your current equipment performance and identify improvement opportunities
· Analyze your production workflow and identify bottlenecks
· Calculate your total cost of ownership and potential ROI from upgrading
· Recommend specific solutions matched to your needs and budget
· Provide a detailed assessment report with actionable recommendations
There’s no pressure and no sales pitch—just expert analysis and honest recommendations from a team that’s been solving labeling challenges for over 40 years.
Ready to discover if a labeling upgrade makes sense for your operation?
Contact Ahearn & Soper Inc. today to schedule your free assessment. Call us at 1-800-263-4258 or visit Ahearn.com to get started.
EN 
FR