Guide · Eduard Pijpers
Hand labelling or a machine?
When does a labelling machine pay off, and when is hand labelling still fine? An honest calculation.
The calculation
By hand, an experienced worker labels about 250 bottles per hour with a wrap-around label. A semi-automatic machine with conveyor does about 600, including loading and unloading. At 10,000 bottles per month that saves about 23 hours of work.
| Bottles per month | Hours by hand | Hours with machine | Saving at €30/hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2,500 | 10 | 4 | €175 per month |
| 5,000 | 20 | 8 | €350 per month |
| 10,000 | 40 | 17 | €700 per month |
| 20,000 | 80 | 33 | €1,400 per month |
Example with 250 and 600 bottles per hour. Calculate your own situation on the price page.
More than time
- Consistent quality. Every bottle at the same height, without wrinkles or air bubbles. Crooked labels cost more than time: they cost shelf appeal.
- Less waste. A crooked label rarely comes off cleanly.
- Scalable. A large order or a busy December needs no extra hands.
When hand labelling is still fine
Below a few hundred bottles per month, or with very varied shapes, hand labelling or a simple hand labeller is often enough. A machine pays off once labelling takes hours every week, or when crooked labels hurt your brand.