Mistakes Businesses Make Integrating Label Printing Software

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A close-up, eye-level shot shows a person's hand pressing a touchscreen on a Zebra ZT411 industrial printer. The printer's screen displays a message that reads, "Head Open: Printhead is open. Close the printhead." A label with a barcode and the text "Expert Labels" is visible on the printer's output tray.

Mistakes Businesses Make Integrating Label Printing Software

Label printing software can help make your business run more smoothly, improve accuracy, and save time. But many businesses face problems when they try to integrate this software into their systems. These issues can lead to mistakes, delays, and even legal problems. By learning from these common mistakes, businesses can make sure their software integration goes well.

1. Not Checking if the Software Works with Your Systems

A common problem is failing to check if the label printing software is fully compatible with the current systems, like your Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) or Warehouse Management Systems (WMS). If the software doesn’t work well with your current setup, it can cause data errors and printing mistakes, slowing everything down.

Before choosing software, check if it works well with your current systems. Test it out first, or be ready to make changes to your other systems if needed. Doing this early will help avoid problems later.

2. Not Training Staff Properly

A gray and black label printer displays a bright red screen with the word "ERROR" in large white letters. The device appears to be malfunctioning, highlighting a common issue that can arise from improper software integration.

Even the best label printing software won’t perform well if your staff don’t know how to use it properly. Without the right training, workers might make mistakes, like choosing the wrong settings or entering incorrect information, leading to wrong labels or delays.

Make sure all your staff are properly trained on the software. Training should cover everything from basic use to how to fix common issues. 

Regular refreshers and extra support will help them stay up-to-date and confident.

3. Not Testing Enough Before Going Live

A big mistake is launching the software without fully testing it first. If it’s not properly tested, you may miss problems like labels printing wrong, barcodes not scanning, or the software not working as expected.

Always test the software before it goes live. Use real product data and print labels on different materials to make sure everything works.

Testing helps to identify the problems early so they can be fixed before causing bigger issues.

Pharma companies are good at this.  They have comprehensive validation processes.  They document what needs to be tested then run through a script documenting the results.  Think that might help you?  We do that for clients.  Contact us for help.

4. Not Planning for Future Growth

As your business grows, so will your labelling needs. Some businesses choose software without thinking about how it will handle more products or increased production.

This can slow down production and cause extra costs when your needs change.

Pick software that can grow with your business. Look for solutions that are easy to upgrade and add new features when needed.

Cloud based software is often a good option for businesses that need flexibility and scalability.

5. Forgetting About Regulatory Compliance

If you work in industries like food, pharmaceuticals and/or chemicals; following the rules for labelling is very important. Not ensuring that your label printing software meets legal requirements can lead to fines, product recalls, and damage to your business.

Make sure your software meets all the necessary regulations, like EU CLP (Classification, Labelling and Packaging) rules or FDA standards. The software should help you create labels that include the correct symbols, warnings, and codes.

Conclusion

Integrating label printing software into your business can make things easier and more efficient. But to get it right, avoid common mistakes like ignoring compatibility, skipping training, or not checking for compliance. By planning carefully and using the right tools, you can improve your processes, reduce errors, and save time.

To make your label printing integration as smooth as possible, download our free checklist or get in touch with us. Proper planning now can save you time and trouble in the future.

Updated on September 23, 2025

Useful Links:

GOV.UK – Product Labelling Guidance

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/product-labelling-the-law

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