Cheap Today, Costly Tomorrow
At first glance, premium labels might seem like a minor component in the grand scheme of your product packaging. When it comes to developing a product, selling said product, and running a business, a label is miniscule. They’re small, often overlooked, and seemingly easy to replicate. So when a supplier offers a cut-price deal on labels, it’s tempting to jump at the savings.
But here’s the hard truth: cheap labels often come with expensive consequences.
Failures? How could a label possibly fail, and how could that cause issues within your business? Well, a cheap label can cause adhesive failures, ink smudges and fades, tearing, and even be non-compliant. And while that seems irrelevant, when your business relies on an eye to catch it, it makes all the difference.
Low-quality labels can hurt your product’s appearance, performance, and even your brand reputation. It can cause miscommunication, issues with prices and details, and even future lawsuits. This is especially true in competitive South African markets where shelf impact, consumer trust, and compliance are non-negotiables.
In this post, we explore the true cost of cheap labels, the advantages of investing in premium alternatives, and how quality labelling can protect, and elevate, your bottom line.
The First Impression Dilemma
Whether you’re selling bottled juice, pharmaceuticals, skincare, or cleaning supplies — your label is the first thing a consumer sees. It’s your silent salesperson, communicating brand value, product promise, and shelf appeal.
But what happens when:
- The colour fades in sunlight?
- The corners lift off refrigerated packaging?
- The ink runs because of condensation?
These are not hypothetical issues, they’re common problems with low-cost label printing and materials. While you might save a few cents per unit, the damage to your brand perception can be enormous. People will not pick up your product if the label seems cheap—because in turn, they think the product is also cheap.
First impressions count and once you lose consumer trust, it’s hard to win back.
Adhesive Failures = Operational Nightmares
In industries like FMCG, logistics, and manufacturing, label durability isn’t just about looks. It’s about functionality.
Low-grade adhesives can fail under heat, cold, or moisture. That means:
- Labels peeling off frozen foods.
- Bottles arriving unlabeled to distributors.
- Barcode scanners unable to read damaged product codes.
Every one of these failures leads to lost sales, delayed shipments, increased returns, and frustrated partners. And ironically, they often result in more expensive re-labelling efforts — wiping out the savings from the cheaper label option.
The Hidden Compliance Risk
In sectors like food & beverage, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, product labels aren’t just decorative — they’re regulated. South African labelling laws, including R146 for food products and the MCC for medical goods, require specific information to be legible, durable, and accurate.
Poor-quality labels risk:
- Ink smudging or fading, making ingredients unreadable
- Missing batch numbers or expiry dates
- Non-compliant adhesive that contaminates products
These issues can trigger regulatory fines, product recalls, and even reputational lawsuits — none of which are worth the risk to save a few cents per label.
Short-Term Thinking, Long-Term Costs
Let’s break down the true cost of choosing cheap labels.
Suppose you pay R0.50 per label from a budget supplier, but 25% of those labels fail, whether through peeling, smudging, or falling off entirely. Each failed label costs you approximately R3.00 to replace when you account for labour, reprinting, and potential logistics delays. This brings your average cost per unit up to R1.25.
On the other hand, a premium label may cost R0.85 upfront, but with a failure rate of less than 1%, there’s virtually no need for rework or replacements, which means you are keeping your actual cost at R0.85 per unit. In reality, the “cheaper” label ends up costing significantly more.
It’s not just about price — it’s about performance over time.
Premium Labels: What Sets Them Apart?
When you choose a reputable supplier like Libra Labels, you’re not just paying for a sticker — you’re paying for experience, innovation, and reliability. Here’s what you get with premium labels:
- Durable substrates tailored to the surface (glass, plastic, cardboard, etc.)
- Industry-specific adhesives that survive moisture, refrigeration, and friction
- Fade-resistant inks and finishes that maintain clarity and colour over time
- Precision printing that ensures every batch is legible, scannable, and professional
- Regulatory guidance on compliance and industry standards
With decades of industry knowledge, Libra Labels works with you to ensure the right material for the right purpose, saving you money in the long run and protecting your product integrity.
Label Quality as a Competitive Advantage
In an oversaturated marketplace, standing out is hard — but standing for quality always wins.
A premium label adds more than just visual polish. It communicates:
- Attention to detail
- Brand integrity
- Professionalism
- Trustworthiness
This is especially important for export-driven brands competing globally or local businesses trying to break into high-end retail channels. A superior label can help justify a premium price point — or make your product the one that gets chosen when a buyer is browsing the shelf.
Think Like a Brand Builder, Not a Bargain Hunter
Smart businesses know that every packaging decision contributes to brand perception and product success.
Your label is not the place to compromise.
Instead of asking “What’s the cheapest option?”, ask:
- Will this label survive its full product lifecycle?
- Will it still look great in a month?
- Will it stand up to heat, cold, friction, and transport?
- Will it reflect the quality of what’s inside?
If the answer is “no,” then even the lowest price is too expensive.
Invest in What Matters
In business, cost-cutting is sometimes necessary, but not at the expense of customer experience or product integrity. The next time you’re tempted to cut corners on labelling, remember:
Cheap labels cost more than you think.
At Libra Labels, we believe every label should work as hard as the product it represents. That’s why we supply premium labels that perform in the real world, not just on the balance sheet.
Ready to Upgrade?
Whether you’re launching a new product, expanding your range, or solving a recurring packaging problem, we’re here to help.
📩 Contact Libra Labels today to speak to one of our labelling experts about tailored, high-performance solutions.