If you run a small to mid-size winery or distillery, there’s a high chance you’re overpaying for custom labels for packaging. Or you’re getting a good deal, but the quality isn’t up to your standards. How is this possible?
You’re busy. Your days are filled with managing product runs, dreaming up new ideas, connecting with suppliers, and more. While your schedule is packed making your wines or spirits one-of-a-kind, you likely don’t have time to learn everything there is to know about label printing.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide for wineries and distilleries that want high-quality, cost-effective labels that stand out—no matter the print size. The solution is digital printing.
WHAT IS DIGITAL LABEL PRINTING?
Digital label printing is great for more niche beverage brands that are growing but not yet at an enterprise scale. How does this printing technique create premium, personalized labels while also giving you more control and producing less waste?
Digital printing is, well, fully digital. With traditional printing methods, you have to pay for new printing plates every time you have a design change or seasonal product run. With digital printing, your digital file is used to print directly on the label, creating large cost savings on smaller to mid-size runs.
Because this printing technique doesn’t use plates, it’s also faster than traditional printing. You’re probably wondering—what’s the catch?
There really isn’t a downside, as custom label printing technology has advanced in the past decade. Digital printing is a great option for producing high-quality wine and spirit labels that feature bright colors and intricate designs. Traditional printing only becomes more cost-effective when you are at an enterprise level and frequently need labels printed in bulk.
Now that you know the basics of digital wine label printing and spirit packaging, let’s dive into all of the diverse benefits of this label strategy for your business.
THE BENEFITS OF DIGITAL PRINTING
Print The Quantity You Need, When You Need It
Over-printing to meet label minimums means extra stock aging on your shelves. Stop printing 100,000 liquor labels in one run to get a discount. Whether you need 5,000 labels today or 12,000 next month, digital printing makes it easy to quickly get what you need.
Have a last-minute change that requires a lightspeed reprint? Need a specialty small batch beverage or a seasonal, limited edition release? Get your wine and spirit labels fast, without waiting in line behind bigger jobs.
Decrease Costs on Small to Medium Print Runs
Don’t tie up your cash trying to get a volume discount on a giant order. Because you’re not paying for more packaging labels than you need, printing plates, or large setup fees, you can keep more of your money liquid to invest in other business goals.
The right label partner will also help you find additional methods for maximizing profitability and minimizing waste on every run. With these extra eyes on your liquor, wine, or beer labels, you can focus on competing with the big guys.
Enjoy True Flexibility
Few markets move as fast as the wine and spirits industry. Unique, custom beverage labels aren’t nice to have—they’re now mandatory for new and repeat sales. This means your team has to be able to quickly pivot and try new things. If you’re waiting weeks for a specialty or seasonal release, you could miss your moment.
Digital printing allows you to adapt on your schedule, without having to throw out overstocked inventory every time you want to try something new. Got a new flavor coming? A one-time influencer collaboration? A private label request from a boutique retailer? Quickly swap in updated legal notices, update the design, or hop on a trend in real time.
Personalize Every Bottle & Launch New SKUs
One of the biggest benefits of being a small-to-medium-sized winery or distillery is the ability to create small-batch, exclusive beverages. But with traditional printing, doing one-off designs can quickly add up.
With digital label printing, you can let your creativity run wild and experiment as frequently as you want, without incurring more costs. This is especially true when you use variable data printing (VDP) for packaging labels. VDP is a specialized type of digital printing that allows you to change elements from one print to the next without slowing down production.
Using VDP, you can personalize every label:
- Add different batch numbers, vintages, or barrel IDs
- Print unique QR codes for traceability or marketing campaigns
- Personalize labels for limited releases or gift editions
- Create region-specific designs without separating runs
- Highlight the vineyard or barrel number
- Include a handwritten note from the producer
- Feature tasting notes or food pairings
When customers feel like a bottle was made just for them, they are more likely to feel connected to your brand. This creates recall and could even lead to increased loyalty. Not to mention, it helps you stand out from the enterprise-size competitors who aren’t able to experiment as often.
You can easily add new SKUs to test label designs in the market. Run two or four different versions and see which leads to more sales. Then, quickly print more of the winning design—without wasting any money. We can help you spin up new SKUs fast to keep your product lineup fresh.
Keep Up With Beverage Best Practices & Label Trends
You don’t have to trade high-quality, durable labels for speed. Digital printing allows you to take part in current label-printing best practices and trends. In fact, digital printing actually makes it easier to quickly test and update information like:
- Updating legal & nutrition facts fast
- Adding new SKUs
- Using the most durable label materials & adhesives
- Adding one-of-a-kind AR experiences
There’s no waiting for plates or long production schedules to make changes. Once your design is approved, we can print it. You can launch fast, stay ahead of trends, and get in front of your customer.
Reduce Waste & Highlight Sustainable Practices
Many shoppers today see eco-friendly practices as a big selling point. The majority (89%) of respondents to a 2025 survey are even willing to pay more for sustainable products, according to research from Capital One Shopping.
Traditional runs can lead to a lot of waste trying to reach minimum order quantities. With digital printing, you can highlight your company’s green practices—all while cutting down on costs. Just print what you need, when you need it.
Get a Premium Look & Durable Product
Digital doesn’t mean simple or low-quality. We use high-end digital presses that deliver consistent designs with vibrant colors—even when there are intricate patterns.
You can also choose specialty materials like metallic stocks and foils, as well as advanced finishes like embossing or gloss. Thanks to improvements in label technology, it’s easy and affordable to get high-quality, long-lasting wine or spirit labels without sacrificing artistic details.
There you have it. Seven ways digital label printing improves the process for short-run wine and spirit labels. Don’t get us wrong, traditional and lithographic printing have their place. But when it comes to small or midsize companies in the specialty beverage market, digital printing is a cost-effective, flexible solution.
To maximize the benefits of digital printing for your brand, you need the right partner. That’s where we come in.
Work With a Partner Who Understands Your Brand
You’re an expert on wines or spirits. We’re experts at creating Labels of Distinction that stand out in competitive markets. And the need to stand out has never been greater. Many Americans are cutting down on alcohol consumption; 49% of respondents said they actively planned to drink less in 2025, according to NCSolutions. To grow ROI in this tight market, you’ll need a partner that understands the landscape and can help you increase sales.
Here’s how we can help:
- We’ll work directly with your team to keep everything on schedule
- If you have a small team, we can take on label management—everything from organizing your label library and versioning to file setup
- We have the technology to support you as your volume needs increase or decrease
- Our team offers insights and strategy suggestions based on decades of experience in the wine and spirits market
We understand the pace. The pressures. The importance of getting it right the first time. Ready to get hands-on support that’s flexible enough to keep up with your bold ideas and sales goals? Reach out today to get a quote.
