Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
What label suppliers can handle very small custom runs of 12–24 labels?
Several options exist for small-batch custom labels: - **Berkshire Labels** — offers digital printing for small runs at around £150–200 per batch, suitable for bespoke orders. - **Vistaprint or similar online print services** — a budget-friendly fallback for very small quantities. - **Local contract manufacturers** — some members have found small operators in shared units or industrial spaces willing to do runs as small as 12–24 labels; one example charges 30p per label using thermal inks (which are alcohol-safe for spirit labels). Note: Local sourcing may offer better per-unit pricing and flexibility, but stock availability and material options may be more limited than with established label firms. Thermal inks are alcohol-compatible, which is important for drinks labels.
How can we prevent labels from getting damaged when using flexible packaging during shipping and handling?
Label damage with flexible packaging is a known problem, particularly when bottles move around during postage and when the sleeve is applied or removed by consumers. Members have identified and tested several solutions: - **Tissue paper wrapping** — fulfilment centres wrap bottles in tissue paper first to protect labels during transit. - **Branded crepe paper** — wrap the bottle in crepe paper before packaging; several companies print branded crepe paper, which adds a premium feel while solving the scuffing problem. - **Flexi-Hex drum-capsule packaging** — switching to Flexi-Hex's shorter drum-style packaging (rather than slender packaging) reduces bottle movement inside the package, which was the root cause for at least one member's damage issue. Members note that label damage can occur at multiple points: during application of the sleeve, when bottles move in transit, and when consumers remove the packaging. Simply applying a sleeve-based fix won't solve all failure points, so a layered approach (wrapping + packaging choice) is recommended. If you raise the issue with your packaging supplier, be prepared that they may initially claim they've never seen the problem before—but other users have successfully resolved it with these methods.
What is the process and timeline for getting HMRC duty stamp codes incorporated into label artwork?
HMRC duty stamp incorporation requires coordination between you, HMRC, and your label printer, and typically takes 2–3 weeks total. **Process overview:** - Register with HMRC to obtain your duty stamp codes - HMRC will send you a disc containing your registered codes - Pass your artwork (with the duty stamp code and number incorporated) to your label printer - Printers can typically print within 10 days of receiving final artwork **Recommended printers:** - **Label Apeel** (Leicester) — Members report they are "very good", competitively priced, and offer quality work. Ask for Craig Goodman. Multiple members confirmed they use them and describe them as "a very nice gang". **Timeline:** Expect 2–3 weeks from HMRC sending you the disc to receiving printed labels, depending on how quickly HMRC processes your registration and how you coordinate artwork handoff.