Starting a sticker business can be an exciting venture, but it also comes with its own set of challenges, especially when you’re on a budget. One of the most crucial investments you’ll make is in a reliable printer that can produce high-quality stickers without breaking the bank. If you’re searching for the perfect “Printer For Stickers,” look no further. Based on my personal experience and in-depth cost analysis, I highly recommend the Epson EcoTank ET-2800. Let me share my journey and explain why this printer has become an indispensable tool for my sticker shop, Sleepy Unicorn Studio.
My Printer Journey: From Printer Graveyard to Epson Success
Over the years, my relationship with printers has been… complicated, to say the least. Let’s just say I’ve accumulated a graveyard of defunct printers in my garage, each with its own tale of woe and premature demise. This history of printer failures is why I consider myself a seasoned expert – not in fixing them, unfortunately – but in identifying a printer that truly stands the test of time and the demands of a sticker business.
When I launched Sleepy Unicorn Studio in September 2021, inspired by my friend Dani from Watercolor and Sarcasm, I knew a reliable printer was paramount. I started with a couple of popular models, each with its own set of pros and cons.
Brother MFCJ497DW: The Beautiful Disaster
Initially, I opted for the Brother® International Compact MFC-J497DW Wireless Color Inkjet All-In-One Printer. I was immediately impressed with the sticker quality it produced. The colors were vibrant, and the lines were crisp – truly some of the best stickers I had seen, even compared to those I ordered from other shops.
However, the honeymoon phase didn’t last long. Despite the excellent print quality, the Brother MFCJ497DW had some critical drawbacks that ultimately made it unsustainable for my growing sticker business:
- Ink Consumption: This printer was an ink guzzler, especially when it came to yellow. My monthly ink expenses quickly ballooned to $30-$50, even when my sticker production was relatively low.
- Printing Speed: The advertised print speed of “up to 3 pages per minute” in color was a significant exaggeration. In reality, printing was painstakingly slow, hindering my productivity.
- Durability for Business Needs: This model is clearly designed for occasional home use, not the high-volume printing required for a sticker business. It simply wasn’t built to handle the workload.
Eventually, the Brother printer gave up on me, struggling to feed sticker paper. Despite its flaws, I considered repurchasing the same model, hoping for better luck. Unfortunately, the replacement I received was refurbished and exhibited the same paper feeding issue. It was time to move on and explore other options.
Canon PIXMA G6020: Glossy Paper Darling, Matte Paper Blues
The Canon PIXMA G6020 All-in-One Supertank came highly recommended within the sticker maker community. And to be fair, it’s not a bad printer. However, I soon realized it wasn’t the right fit for my preferred sticker materials.
If you primarily print on glossy printable vinyl, the Canon PIXMA G6020 might be a viable option. But, like me, if you favor matte printable vinyl and cardstock (I’m a loyal fan of AIVA Matte Printable Vinyl), there are better choices available.
Here’s why the Canon PIXMA G6020 didn’t quite meet my needs:
- Print Quality: Compared to the Brother printer, the print quality was noticeably grainier, even after meticulous setup and driver updates. The crispness I desired was simply missing.
- Compromise on Quality: It felt like I was sacrificing print quality for the sake of cheaper ink. While ink cost is a major consideration, quality is equally important for customer satisfaction.
- Color Vibrancy: I could achieve reasonably close color vibrancy and saturation to the Brother, but the lack of print quality remained a significant drawback.
- Glossy Paper Performance: The Canon did perform better on glossy paper, but it often left “pizza cutter marks” – small indentations from the paper feeding mechanism – which were undesirable.
Reluctantly, I returned the Canon PIXMA G6020. Time was of the essence, as orders were piling up, and I desperately needed a reliable printer solution.
Epson EcoTank ET-2800: The Sticker Shop Savior
In a moment of desperation, I sent my husband to Best Buy to pick up the Epson EcoTank ET-2800. You can also conveniently buy it via Amazon if you prefer to shop from home. After the Canon experience, I was apprehensive, but the Epson EcoTank ET-2800 turned out to be a game-changer.
Here’s what impressed me:
- Print Quality: The print quality is comparable to the Brother printer – sharp, vibrant, and exactly what I hoped for. It met and even exceeded my expectations.
- Ink Efficiency: The ink efficiency is incredible. My monthly ink costs plummeted from $30-$50 to a mere $60 per year. Yes, you read that right! The EcoTank system is a revolution in ink cost savings.
- Vibrant Prints: With the right settings, the prints are beautifully vibrant and accurately reproduce my designs.
- Minor Magenta Tint: My only minor issue is a slight magenta tint in the prints. However, this is easily corrected by adjusting the magenta levels in the color settings, and it’s a small price to pay for the overall benefits.
In January 2023, I invested $203 in the Epson ET-2800, plus an additional $50 for a 4-year warranty (printer killer, remember?). Keep an eye out for deals, as you might find it for even less!
Why the Epson ET-2800 is a Smart Investment for Sticker Businesses
I understand that the initial cost of the Epson ET-2800 might seem significant, especially when you’re also investing in other sticker-making supplies. However, let’s delve into the numbers to demonstrate why this printer is a truly worthwhile investment that pays for itself surprisingly quickly.
To illustrate the cost-effectiveness, let’s break down my average sticker production costs:
- AIVA Matte Printable Vinyl: $0.56 per sheet
- Oracle 215 Glossy Laminate: $0.32 per sheet
- Total Material Cost per Sheet: $0.88 per sheet
For simplicity and to account for ink costs, let’s round up the total cost per sheet to $0.90. The number of stickers I can fit on a sheet varies, but for this example, let’s assume a conservative estimate based on a 2×3” sticker:
- -$0.10 Production Cost (average for a 2×3″ sticker)
- -$0.48 Packaging Materials (Envelope, Thank You Card, Backer, Cellophane Bag, Logo Sticker)
- -$0.63 Domestic Shipping (Etsy’s calculated cost)
- -$0.20 Listing Fee (Etsy listing and renewal fee)
- -$0.26 Transaction Fee (Etsy’s product sale fee)
- -$0.06 Transaction Fee (Etsy’s shipping fee)
- -$0.40 Processing Fee
$2.13 is my total cost to produce, package, and ship a single sticker order priced at $4.00.
Here’s the revenue I receive from a single sticker order without any discounts:
- $4.00 Sticker Price
- $0.85 Shipping*
$4.85 is the total customer payment (excluding taxes, which Etsy handles). Therefore, my profit per sticker order is $2.72, representing a healthy 56.27% profit margin.
I discuss pricing strategies and profit optimization in more detail in my blog post, How to Use Etsy Promo Codes to Increase Sales. This example represents the minimum profit per sticker; multi-sticker orders significantly boost profitability.
* My shipping pricing is structured at $0.85 for the first sticker and an additional $0.10 for each subsequent sticker in the order. This approach covers shipping costs while keeping single sticker prices attractive. The small additional charge for extra stickers ensures profitability even on larger orders that might require upgraded shipping.
It Will Quickly Pay For Itself
Let’s assume a printer cost of $225 for the Epson ET-2800 (this is an estimated average, and you might find it for less). Based on my cost analysis and profit margin, you would only need to sell approximately 83 stickers to recoup the printer’s cost. In the grand scheme of a sticker business, that’s a relatively small number!
Even in my initial months of business (September and October 2021), when I was selling stickers for just $3.00 each, I could have almost paid for the Epson ET-2800! The return on investment is remarkably fast.
Consider the ongoing savings on ink. Remember the exorbitant monthly ink cartridge costs with the Brother printer? With the Epson EcoTank ET-2800, those expenses become negligible. These savings directly contribute to faster business growth and increased personal income.
Ink is So Inexpensive
Since switching to the Epson ET-2800 on January 3, 2023, through October 14, 2023, I printed over 511 full-color, high-quality prints without needing to replace any ink from the initial tanks! And when it’s time to refill, a complete set of four Epson brand ink bottles (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Black) costs around $60.
This means the effective cost of the $225 Epson ET-2800 printer is actually closer to $165 (printer cost minus the value of included ink). That’s an exceptional value proposition for a printer that will be a workhorse in your sticker business for years to come. The numbers truly speak for themselves.
On October 14th, I finally ordered replacement ink because the black ink was running low. But as you can see from the ink level screenshot, the color inks are still considerably full even after extensive use. I opted for a full set of four colors for convenience, but realistically, I could have just purchased the $15 black ink bottle.
Comparing this to the Brother printer, where I averaged $40 per month on ink, totaling $480 annually, the savings are staggering. The annual ink cost savings alone could almost pay for the Epson ET-2800 itself! Again, the math is undeniable.
To maintain your printer warranty and ensure optimal performance, I highly recommend using genuine Epson brand ink. I prefer ordering directly from Epson’s website to guarantee authenticity and potentially secure the best pricing.
It’s Ideal for Stickers: The Rear Feed Advantage
One often-overlooked printer feature, crucial for sticker printing, is the rear paper feed. Printers with bottom cassette paper trays are prone to paper jams, especially with thicker materials like sticker paper. Even some Epson models with bottom trays can struggle.
The Epson EcoTank ET-2800, with its rear paper feed, handles printable vinyl exceptionally well. For even greater peace of mind, consider using Buttercrafts matte printable vinyl, specifically designed to be anti-jam and Epson printer compatible. I’ve had great success with it.
Buy the Epson EcoTank ET-2800
The Epson ET-2800 printer has truly revolutionized my sticker-making process. Its affordability, combined with its ability to produce beautiful, high-quality stickers, makes it the perfect “printer for stickers” and an ideal starting point for anyone launching a sticker shop on a budget.
If you’re excited about the potential of the Epson ET-2800 or have any questions about starting your own sticker business, please don’t hesitate to reach out! I’m here to help you navigate your creative journey. Feel free to ask your questions in the comments below, and let’s embark on this sticker-making adventure together!
