How often do you make your own labels vs. purchasing them?

[btuck32]

As a new vendor, I've discovered the many routes to go in labeling your product. I've bought labels online, both for bulk vending and flavor strips for soda vending. I've also made my own flavor strips and bulk vending labels. I've seen pros and cons to both method. I've even seen some vendors that don't label at all. Just curious what other people do.

[Hillbilly]

I do both. I thought making my own would be cheaper but after doing it for a year and a half, I've realized it really isn't I basically make candy labels now. Most of the toys I just buy a couple. I seem to sell more when I use a good looking label.

Some stuff I make my labels. Like Treasure Chest. I buy a flat label from A&A and then put foam behind it and glue some toys to the front with the hot glue gun.

[JEREMYTINA]

We pretty much do the same as Hillbilly. I buy the toy displays, but I print out my own candy labels. I also print my own soda flavor strips. We just print out as many that will fit on a page, laminate, and cut them out. I have them all in a handy accoridian type file box ready to go.

[Hillbilly]

I forgot to mention that I laminate all mine as well. As of right now, I have no organization to mine. I keep them all in a pile and look for the one I need when I need it. Maybe I should move that up on my list. Or at least put it on the list.

[btuck32]

I also laminate the ones I've made. In some cases, they look just as good as some I've purchased.

[btuck32]

Anybody ever use the DVD that CHI sells?

http://www.chicompany.net/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=4&products_id=2&zenid=837307980043d79c5508d55d546de2d2

I've seen this question pop up a few times on these boards but never found a good answer.