Learn When and Why You Should Switch Label Providers

This guide walks you through the five most common red flags indicating it’s time to switch label providers. If any of these sound familiar, you’re not alone and are not stuck.

Signs Indicating Now Is When to Switch Label Suppliers

So, how do you know when it’s time to stop settling and start seeking something better? Below are five clear signs that it may be time to switch label providers and find a partner that’s better equipped and proven to support your product and your business.

1. Missed Deadlines or Unreliable Turnaround Times

If you constantly adjust production schedules, chase updates, or pay for last-minute shipping, your label vendor is costing you more than money; they’re costing you control.

Co-packers and product teams rely on tight timelines. When a label provider is late, the whole operation stalls. You’re stuck with idle inventory, delayed launches, and strained broker relationships. Even if it only happens “sometimes,” those moments add up quickly.

The right label partner should make your operations smoother, not shakier. If your team is always in scramble mode, it might be time to switch label providers and regain your momentum.

2. Inconsistent Print or Material Quality

You’ve put so much work into building your brand; don’t let a poorly printed label send the wrong message. Are you seeing:

Color shifts from batch to batch?
Fading ink or blurred details?
Labels bubbling, peeling, or falling off entirely?

These are all signs of deeper problems. Inconsistent materials or printing processes hurt your product’s shelf appeal and bottom line. Worse, if the label contains compliance details or expiration dates, these quality issues could result in costly recalls.

A top-tier provider keeps your stock, specialty, primary, or custom labels consistent, durable, and print-perfect every time.

3. Poor Communication and Customer Service

If it feels like you’re doing all the chasing, it’s probably time to reassess the relationship.

Clear specs, fast responses, and guidance through complex projects are not “nice to have,” they’re the baseline. Whether it’s last-minute questions from your co-packer or new product development help, you need a team that knows your product and goals and answers the phone.

You deserve a provider who acts like a partner, not just a vendor. If you feel left in the dark, trust your gut—it might be time to switch label providers and find someone more aligned with your pace and priorities.

4. Limited Customization or Outdated Capabilities

Modern labels are more than rectangles with barcodes; they’re brand assets that demand attention. If your current provider can’t handle custom die cuts, premium finishes, or specialty adhesives, your product may not live up to its potential.

Maybe your competitor’s label sparkles on the shelf while yours just sits there. Or maybe your provider can’t accommodate short-run digital printing or multiple SKUs. Either way, outdated equipment or limited flexibility make it harder for you to stand out.

Accu-Label offers digital and flexographic printing to support a wide range of needs, from intricate custom pressure-sensitive labels to high-volume runs with tight timelines.

5. You’re Doing More Work Than You Should Be

Here’s a big one: if you’re constantly fixing mistakes, re-explaining specs, or catching errors before they ship, it’s time to take a step back and realize now is when to switch label suppliers.

A great label provider doesn’t just print what you send; they check, double-check, and proactively ensure everything goes smoothly with a meticulous pre-press process. They help you plan, flag potential issues early, and give you confidence, not stress.

If you feel you’re managing the process more than your vendor, that’s a major red flag. Switch label providers and find someone who lightens your workload, not adds to it.

Explore Accu-Label’s comprehensive labeling services to see how we can simplify label production and help your products shine on every shelf.

Find Your New Solution

Scenarios That Scream It’s Time to Switch Label Suppliers

Sometimes, the signs are subtle; other times, they’re staring you right in the face. If any of these scenarios feel familiar, it might be time to reevaluate your label provider:

If you run a food and beverage brand and your seasonal release is delayed because your labels didn’t arrive on time (again), it’s beyond frustrating; it’s lost sales and missed shelf space.

Maybe you’re in the health and wellness space, and your clean, modern label design keeps printing with inconsistent colors or blurry edges. That disconnect between brand intention and shelf reality erodes consumer trust fast.

If you manage an automotive product line, and your labels aren’t holding up to oil, heat, or abrasion, chances are your customers are noticing. A durable product deserves a label that performs just as well.

Or perhaps you work with regulated chemical goods and double-check every label for GHS compliance or safety information because you don’t fully trust your vendor to get it right. That’s time and risk you shouldn’t have to carry.

And if you’re in the beer, wine, or spirits space and had to hand-apply hundreds of labels last week because your provider didn’t match your specs for automated application, that inefficiency costs your team time and burns out your workflow.

If any of these situations sound familiar, even once, it’s a strong sign that it’s time to switch label providers and work with a team that actually makes your job easier, not harder.

What to Look for in a New Label Partner

Here’s what sets a great label provider apart:

Fast, reliable production: Timelines you can count on.
High-quality materials and printing methods: Consistency from run to run.
Customization and scalability: Ability to handle short runs, specialty coatings or embellishments, or high-volume programs.
Strong customer support: Real people who know your account and actually respond.
Experience with co-packers and brokers: A team that understands your workflow and timing.

You should feel confident handing off your label project, not crossing your fingers and hoping it works out.

How Accu-Label Makes Switching Easy

If any of the previously mentioned red flags sound familiar, we’re here to help you turn things around.

At Accu-Label, we specialize in helping growing brands get their labeling right—from the first proof to the thousandth reorder. Whether you’re struggling with missed deadlines, underwhelming print quality, or vendor silence, we’ve built our systems to make transitions seamless.

Here’s what you can expect:

In-House Experts: From design tweaks to adhesive selection, we help you get every detail right.
Flexographic + Digital Printing: Choose the method that fits your volume, timeline, and budget.
Streamlined Onboarding: We’ve worked with dozens of brands making the jump from outdated or unreliable vendors.
Speed + Consistency: Short lead times, fast reorders, and strict quality control at every stage.

We’ve repeatedly stepped in as the second call after the first vendor didn’t deliver. We’ll meet you where you are and help you get where you want to go.

Recap: Know the Signs Before It Costs You

Let’s recap the five most common signs it’s time to switch label providers:

You’re constantly dealing with missed deadlines or slow turnarounds.
You’ve spotted inconsistencies in print quality or materials.
Communication with your current vendor is slow or frustrating.
Your label partner can’t support modern finishes, custom shapes, or versioning.
You’re spending way too much time double-checking or managing the label process.

Your label vendor should make your job easier, not harder. And if you’re starting to feel like your current partner isn’t cutting it, you have options.

If You’re Not Partnered With Accu-Label, Now’s When to Switch Label Suppliers

If you’ve been second-guessing your current vendor, there’s probably a good reason. Your time, product, and brand deserve better, and at Accu-Label, we’re here to help make that happen. Contact us today to discuss turning your labeling headaches into shelf-ready results that impress.