Frequently Asked Label Questions

If you can’t find the answer you need among our frequently asked label questions, The Label Experts are just a phone call or email away. Ask us anything!

Do you sell labels?

Yes! We sell made-to-order labels to industries ranging from laboratory to manufacturing, to warehouse and beyond. We have access to hundreds of specialty materials, extensive color printing capabilities, and are pros at working with variable data and barcodes. We’re ALWAYS up for the challenge of creating a brand new, totally custom label for you!

How much do you charge for samples?

Nothing! Our label samples are free & their shipping is on us! We believe testing labels in the environment & circumstances you’re going to use them in is one of the most important parts of serving you, our customers.

Do you sell BarTender®/label printing software?

We are licensed BarTender® resellers and offer full technical support to customers who have purchased BarTender® through us.

If you’re new to label printing, our Tech Department is happy to get on the phone during normal business hours to help you figure out the best version of BarTender® for your company.

The sample labels I received are the wrong size. Do you have larger/smaller labels?

Yes—because our labels are made-to-order, we can create almost any size label you need!

Do you sell preprinted or blank labels?

Both! We can preprint your labels using our arsenal of printing technology, or we can sell you blank labels so you can do the printing yourself.

Do you print barcodes?

Yes, we do. Printing barcodes is one of our specialties.

We’re always happy to answer your questions about how barcodes work or help you figure out what type of barcode is the best bet for your situation.

Can I buy a printer from you?

Yes. We offer a varied selection of both thermal transfer and direct thermal printers—from small desktop size models to full industrial printers.

Can you print my color logo?

Yes. We have a variety of color-printing capabilities to showcase your company logo and/or branding.

Do you sell UL-Recognized labels?

Yes, EIM offers UL-Recognized labels options.

How long will it take my order to get to me?

It depends. For stock products, we can frequently ship immediately. If you are ordering made-to-order labels, there are a variety of factors that can affect ship time.

You can check out this handy infographic to find out what goes into our custom order process or call us up directly at 800.535.6987 or 1.603.357.1459 and talk to someone on our customer service team.

Does your software include a template for printing labels?          

When you purchase BarTender® label printing software from EIM, it comes with a few ready-to-go label templates.

For our customers who have purchased Bartender® through us and find the premade templates don’t work for their particular label, we encourage you to contact our Technical Support for help designing a custom label template.

How much does GS1 US charge for UPC numbers?

GS1 US has a capacity-based membership fee which starts at $250 for 1 to 10 UPCs (they also have annual renewal fees, which start at $50).  Your exact fee will depend on the number of UPCs you need. Check out GS1’s website for a complete UPC pricing breakdown.

If you’re located outside the US, go here to find GS1 contact information for your location.

I used to order this online but I can’t find it anymore, can you help me?

Of course! Just call one of our Label Experts directly at 800.535.6987 or fill out our contact form and we’ll get back to you ASAP.

What do you mean by ‘barcode symbology’?

Just like there are thousands of different languages around the world, there are many different types of barcodes out there. Barcode symbology=barcode language. Check out this video for a quick primer on the most popular types of barcodes.

What’s the difference between Thermal Transfer printing and Direct Thermal printing?

In direct thermal printing, the printhead heats up thermally compatible labels which causes designated areas on it to turn black (resulting in your print). Direct thermal printers don’t require a printing ribbon. Direct thermal printing is best for short-term use labels that don’t require a lot of durability.

Thermal transfer printing is best for long-term use labels because of its greater print durability. TT printing requires a printing ribbon—instead of printing directly on the label, a TT printer’s printhead heats up the ribbon which then transfers print onto your labels.

Go here for a more detailed explanation of the differences between direct thermal and thermal transfer printing.

Ask us about any more label questions you may have!