Frequently Asked Questions

Posted on 17/06/2016 in Frequently Asked Questions, by Jon

We’ve complied a list of Frequently Asked Questions and comprehensive answers, so that you can find the information that you’re looking for quickly and easily.

Our questions have been categorized and placed under the following sub-headings:

 

Just click on one of the subheadings above to reach the questions and answers that you require.

If you can’t find the question that you are looking for from the selection below, then please get in contact using the enquiries form on our website.

 

Types of Labels

 

What types of labels do Soabar print?

Here at Soabar, we print a wide range of labels that will suit your specific requirements. Self-adhesive labels are ideal for clothes, food packaging, pharmaceuticals and warehousing purposes, to name just a few. These include handgun labels, chemical labelling and egg labelling. We also print wash care labels on a range of materials from nylon to polyester, and card labels and swing tickets containing barcodes and sequential numbering.

 

What materials do you print on?

For our self-adhesive labels, we offer a wide range of materials that will be ideal for most situations. These include card, polypropylene, tamper evident materials, and satin substrates.

We print wash care labels on a variety of fabrics including polyester and nylon, and our swing tickets are primarily printed on card.

 If you are unsure about what material you require for your labels, then it is best to make an enquiry. We will be happy to advise you on what material and type of label will be best suited to your needs.

 

What about barcodes?

We can pre-print barcodes onto labels for you using the presses in our factory. However, most customers chose to print their own barcodes with thermal printers. The software for printing barcodes will come with the printers, so there is no need to worry about any additional cost. We will also show you how the software works and how it links up to your thermal printer upon installation.

 

Do you print woven labels?

We currently do not print woven labels.

 

What temperature ranges and chemicals can your labels withstand?

This depends on the type of label that you are ordering, and which material it is printed on. If you order a chemical label then this will be resistant to temperatures of up to 95ºC and will withstand exposure to chemicals such as toluene, xylene, brake fluid and acetone. This is because it is coated in high performance adhesive. Most of our other labels can also be exposed to temperatures up to 95ºC.

 

What kind of adhesive do you supply?

We supply many different types of adhesives. These include removable, permanent, high-tech and solvent based adhesives. These are our standard adhesives, other varieties that we supply are product specific.

 

Can I order a label which is waterproof/weatherproof?

Yes, we supply both waterproof and weatherproof labels.

 

Do you print tamperproof labels?

Yes we do. Tamperproof labels are made from a combination of easy-tear materials and strong adhesives, which cause labels to disintegrate and tear when they are removed from a product or packaging. For more information about tamperproof labels, please read our blog post.

 

How should I store my labels to ensure they have the longest shelf-life?

You should try to keep your labels in a place that is at constant room temperature and away from direct sunlight. This will ensure that they do not fade, and that the print remains visible and of a high quality.

 

Printing

 

What is thermal transfer?

Thermal transfer printing uses a thermal ribbon, so that the heat from the print head on the printer transfers the print onto the substrate.

 

What is direct transfer?

Direct thermal doesn’t use a ribbon.  Instead, the substrate is thermal receptive and the heat from the print head reacts with the paper. This creates the information that will be printed onto the label.

 

In what programme or format do you require the artwork for my label design?

A PDF or JPEG file is the easiest.

 

I have a unique, specialised label design. Can you help to print this?

Yes we can! We welcome all designs and ideas for labels, however original. If you give us an idea of the quantity that you require, then we will be able to quote from this. Please contact us using the enquiries form.

 

What colours can I print with? Is this the same for all types of labels?

Theoretically, any colour is possible. On paper labels we can print anything from text to images due to the presses used, however with satin the colour selection is more limited. This is due to the price of purchasing the required colour of foil. If you are ordering enough labels to make us ordering in coloured foil economically viable, then we will be more than prepared to do this. Please send us a message using the enquiries form specifying what colours you would be looking at using, and how many labels you require from us.

 

What is the maximum number of colours I can print with?

There is no maximum- the selection is infinite!

 

Can I buy special sizes of labels?

Yes, we supply any size and shape of label.

 

Do you supply labels on rolls?

Yes, all of our labels are printed on a roll unless we are asked to do otherwise. Our satin labels can either be slit individually or printed onto a roll.

 

How will my labels be orientated on a roll?

They will be orientated whichever way you would like them to be. Just let us know when placing your order what orientation you require and we will print them accordingly.

 

What core size will be used for a roll of labels?

The standard core size for a roll of labels is 3 inches, however if you require this to be larger or smaller then that is fine too. Just let us know what size core you would like when placing your order.

 

How many labels can I expect to be on a roll?

There is no standard number of labels on a roll. This is because it depends largely on the size of the label and customer specification.

 

Choosing the right label for me

 

Have you got a price list or catalogue?

We currently do not publish a price list for all of our products, only those that are considered to be “˜standard’ products. This is because most of our orders are bespoke to each individual customer. The pricing of labels largely depends on the quantity being ordered, the size and colour, in addition to customer specification. We do have brochures available however, which list standard products and all of the machines that we sell.

 

I cannot find what I want on your website. Can you still help me?

Yes, potentially we still can. We will happily listen to your requirements and try our best to advise and help you accordingly. Please get in contact using the enquiries form on the website to ask any questions that you may have.

 

Do you supply label samples?

Yes, just let us know if you would like us to send you any samples. This can be done quickly and easily using the enquiries form on our website. Usually samples are of general labels printed on the material you are interested in using. However if you would like a sample of your specific potential label, then we will require you to send over your artwork to a member of our design team.

 

How can I get my hands on some of your samples and/or brochures?

If you would like us to send you any samples or brochures, then please use the enquiries form on our website or contact the office directly by ringing 0116 284 7000.

 

Can you design a label for me? If so, is there an additional charge for this?

Yes, one of our design team will be able to create the artwork for you. You will need to converse directly with them, specifying what size of label you require, the images and/or logos you would like printed and the colours you would want to use. If you would be interested in us designing a label for you, then please get in contact using the enquiries form. Please not that there will be an additional charge for this service. This will be included in the quoted price of your order.

 

Printing my own labels

 

Do you print labels for customers or do I have to buy a machine?

We both sell machines so that you can print the labels yourself, or we can print them for you in our factory and overprinting department.

 

How do I print onto the labels?

You will print onto the labels by using a thermal or direct transfer label printing machine. Please see the above frequently asked questions if you are unsure as to what these terms mean. When you purchase a machine from us, a member of our technical department will come into your premises and install the machine for you. They will also tell you exactly how to print onto the labels using the software that will come with the machine. If you experience any difficulties printing your labels in the future, then this member of the technical department will be your first point of contact for any help or advice that you require.

 

Would it be more cost effective for me to buy a machine or have you print them for me?

This depends on the your exact requirements, for example the volume of labels that you need to be printed and how variable the text will be. Generally, if there are a lot of variables (different images/text will needed to be printed onto each individual label in an order) then it will probably be more cost effective to purchase your own thermal printer. This does not mean that you will have to print all of the label yourself however. Instead, we can pre-print most elements of the label for you, and then simply send you the labels so that you can finish printing the variable information onto them yourself. However if you are wanting to order large quantities of the same label, then it may be more cost-effective for us to print it for you. Please use our enquiries form if you would like more advice on this issue.

 

What price do the machines start at?

The price of our machines start at £545. If you would like a quotation for any of our machines, then please get in contact using our enquiries form.

 

My machine isn’t working properly, what should I do?

If you are experiencing technical difficulties with your machine, then please contact the technical department on 0116 284 7000.

 

Quantities

 

What’s the minimum number of labels that I can order?

Our minimum order number is 1000 labels.

 

Do you offer volume discounts?

Yes we do. All of our quotes include volume related price breaks, which mean the more that you order, the lower the unitary charge per label.

 

How much do you charge per label?

How much we charge is largely dependent upon the size, material of the label and the amount of colours that you require us to use in the printing process. If you would like us to quote you a price for a particular label design, then please either call our office (0116 284 7000) or use the enquiries form on our website.

 

Ordering and enquiries

 

I have been quoted a price for some labels and now wish to order. What should I do next?

If as part of your order we require artwork for the label design, then please send this across to us as soon as possible. If not, or once this is done, then please get back in contact with the member of the sales team you are dealing with to place your order.

 

Is VAT included in the price of a quotation?

No, VAT is not included in the price that will be quoted to you. All prices will be quoted plus VAT, which is 20% of the price of your order.

 

I’m having trouble with/setting up my printer. Who should I contact?

Your first point of contact should be a member of the Soabar Technical Support Team. You can contact them either via telephone (0116 284 7000) or email. From this, we can advise you on how to fix the problem you are experiencing. Alternatively, we can directly log in to your company server and take over your PC in order to eliminate any problems.

 

What should I expect to happen after I have made an enquiry on your website?

After making an enquiry, a member of our sales team will promptly be in contact to find out what your exact labelling requirements are. They will reach you by either the email address or phone number that you have provided on your enquiries form.

 

What label specifications do I need to know before asking for a quote?

If you would like us to quote you a price for some labels, then you will need four basic pieces of information. Let us know the size of label you require, what colours you have in mind, the quantity needed and what materials you would like the labels to be printed on. If you require a quote for a machine, then just let us know what model you have in mind and what labels you need it to print (e.g self-adhesive, satin).

 

Can you hold stock of annual orders?

Yes we can. Just let us know if this is a service that you require.

 

Delivery

 

How long will delivery take?

For standard orders, you can expect your labels to be with you within 7-10 working days.

 

How will you deliver my order?

Your order will be delivered by one of the carriers that we use, unless we specify otherwise.

 

Can I track the delivery of my order?

You cannot track the progress of your delivery personally online, however we are more than happy to tell you the status of your delivery. Just ring a member of the Soabar team on 0116 284 7000 and we will inform you where your order is, and the date it should be delivered by.

 

Do you offer express delivery if required?

Yes, if you would like your order to be sent using express delivery then just let us know.

 

Do you ship labels overseas?

Yes we do. Just let us know this when placing your order with us.

 

Is delivery included in the price of my order?

No, delivery will be charged in addition to the order that you place with us. This largely depends on the quantity and therefore weight of the labels being ordered, as well as whether they are being delivered via express or standard means.

 

My labels have arrived and are not what I expected. What should I do?

Please get in contact with a member of our team immediately by calling 0116 284 7000.

 

My delivery hasn’t turned up yet, when I was expecting it to have. What should I do?

If you have any queries with regards to delivery dates, then please get in contact with a member of our team by calling 0116 284 7000.

 

Payment

 

After my first order, do I have to pay upfront for the next job?

No, this is not a necessary requirement. When you place your first order with us, we will set your company an account up on our system. After this, all orders placed within a period of 30 days will charged at the end of this time.

 

Can I open a credit account with you?

Yes you can.

 

Do you send out pro-forma invoices?

Yes, we do send out pro-forma invoices.

 

How do you send out your invoices?

We send out all of our invoices via email, however we can arrange to send it to you in a letter if this is the format you require.

 

Can I pay using a VISA, MasterCard credit card?

Yes, we accept both VISA and MasterCard credit cards.

 

Company

 

What makes Soabar different to all other label printing companies?

At Soabar Ltd, we pride ourselves in being a company that offers an unrivaled service to our customers. From the moment you first make contact with us, a member of our experienced team will be on hand to guide you through the design and ordering process. What’s more, this will continue even after you have purchased your machine or ordered labels from us. If you ever experience any difficulties or need advice, then a member of our technical team will be more than happy to assist you in any way that they can. They can be utilised as your immediate point of contact, and will come and pay you a visit no matter where your business is located. Soabar Ltd are specialists in labels, swing tickets and barcode printers, and have been in the industry for over 50 years. This means that we have an experienced, knowledgeable team that know label printing and the machinery inside out. We look forward to working with you in the near future.

 

Where are Soabar Ltd based?

Soabar Ltd is located in Whetstone, Leicestershire. We are just 10 minutes away from Junction 21 of the M1 and Junction 3 of the M69, making us easy to reach if you need to pay us a visit!

 

frequently asked questions