I'm in the market for a new printer....
I was going to go with an inkjet - they had an HP on clearance, and I've always had good experiences with HP. Plus the ink isn't going to break the bank. Another soaping friend also uses an HP inkjet (with waterproof labels) and has had no problems - she is NOT computer savvy and I actually installed her printer for her. AND - she has a storefront and is printing off labels all the time.
So I was pretty much sold on an inkjet because for the past year she`s had nothing but good things to say (other than she can`t figure out the fax line lol).
But after reading I was thinking about a laser, also they have a Brother on Clearance - and I liked all the brother's that I played with. My dad had a Brother that I used a few times for printing labels when I ran out of ink and lived on an acreage 40 minutes from town. Toner was reasonable and supposedly lasts a lot longer - but cheaper to buy online, though not genuine brother, its "brother compatible".
Then I looked at labels. I was using standard Avery labels - that aren't waterproof. And I see that waterproof ones for inkjet and for laser are both quite pricey.
Am I reading correctly that I can waterproof them myself with some kind of sealer-spray stuff? It sounds like other soapers have had good luck with this. I won't waterproof the actual soap labels, but for lotions and lip balms, salves I was thinking about it.
I've always gone with black and white labels to go with my barn-ish/handmade theme, but now that we've moved from the land of rustic and into the city - I'm going to brighten up my labels and I really want them to look and feel good - good quality. Bright colour. Catch your eye labels. My whole system is getting an upgrade. I need an upgrade.
So.... I guess what I'm asking - is the most economical way to do it in the long run, seems like a laser. And water proofing myself. Only because toner lasts quite a long time. But others have had good experiences with inkjet. And reviews on the inkjet the HP, are all good saying that it has great staying power and also lasts a long time between ink changes.
I'm not planning on over-doing it with colour. Just a few graphics and things to make the labels stand out, pop a little more.
Does anyone have any tips to help me make this decision a bit easier?
I'm one of those people who takes forever to make decisions. Put it to you this way, I've got a soap order I've been modifying and changing for 10 days now..
And I better get on it before the sales change.....again.