Blog
Practical guides for narrow-web label converters — estimating formulas, crossover math, and digital press cost breakdowns.
Two rolls at the same list price can cost very differently per label. Here's how to normalise substrate quotes before they hit your estimate.
Substrate is usually the biggest line in a label estimate. Here's how to price it per square inch and compare suppliers honestly.
Press speed isn't one number. It's a curve that bends with colour count, and getting it wrong quietly wrecks your run-time and labour estimate.
MSI trips up every new estimator. Here's what it means, why converters price on it, and how it converts to the metric world.
MSI is how substrate gets priced in this industry. Here's the conversion from roll price to cost per MSI and how to keep it consistent across suppliers.
Cost per label is just cost per thousand divided out — but the elements behind it are where estimates go wrong. Here's each one, worked through.
Cost per thousand is the number every quote turns on. Here's how each cost element rolls into it and why short runs cost so much more per label.