Quality and quick turnaround times are key to Overnight Labels’ success—but so are its flexibility and expansive capabilities, including full color custom labels, shrink sleeves, flexible packaging and packaging prototypes.
Here, Don Earl, president of Overnight Labels, Inc., tells Beauty Packaging how the company went from printing simple black-and-white bar codes to producing over 400,000,000 printed units per year, how they’ve advanced the industry—and why they like it when people say ‘it can’t be done.’
Jamie Matusow: Please provide a short history of Overnight Labels.
Don Earl: I started the company in 1987 with one press in my garage, which printed black-and-white bar codes. I was able to get them done overnight, hence the name. Eventually, we expanded our capabilities to full color custom labels, shrink sleeves, flexible packaging, and packaging prototypes. Today, we produce over 400,000,000 printed units per year out of a 35,000 square foot facility in Deer Park, NY. We continue to see growth, and just added our 15th press.
JM: Why do you think Overnight Labels has had such success in the beauty industry?
Don Earl: We excel at several areas of great importance to the beauty Industry.
First and foremost is quality. We have numerous QA measures in place to meet our high standards and only purchase high caliber, domestically sourced materials. Our focus on quality has also allowed us to achieve several prestigious certifications like GMI, which requires strict protocols to pass their auditing process.
Second is flexibility. Because of our size, structure, and planning process, we work with any size brand, as well as contract packagers and private label companies. Although we don’t typically print things overnight anymore, our turnaround times are lower than industry averages.
Lastly is our emphasis on innovation and an expertise in specialty finishes and foils. We’ve made early and ongoing investments in the latest printing technologies. We maintain close relationships with industry suppliers and regularly partner with them to beta test new substrates, inks, coatings and adhesives.
JM: There has been increasing demand for labels as a decorative tool for cosmetic products. What are the advantages for the industry—from small brands to global ones?
Don Earl: The advantages of using labels versus printed containers are many. Lower MOQs allow start-ups to enter the business relatively inexpensively, and larger brands can work out the kinks before they commit major dollars on packaging. Labels also offer a tremendous amount of decorating and substrate options. Since Covid, versatility is a big factor. Because of supply chain issues with raw materials, our customers are constantly revising labels due to ingredient changes.
JM: What about sustainability? Does Overnight offer sustainable solutions?
Don Earl: As a certified member of the Sustainable Green Printing Partnership, we follow best practices, including going beyond regulatory compliance to reduce our environmental impact. We are constantly on the lookout for the newest eco-friendly packaging options and currently offer tree-free stock, compostable flexible packaging, recyclable shrink sleeves and water-based inks, CleanFlake label technology.
JM: What would the Beauty industry be surprised to learn about Overnight Labels?
Don Earl: We share a similar philosophy with many successful beauty brands: ‘If you can dream it, we will try it.’ We are often first to market with innovative techniques, specialty effects and finishes, and new materials. For example, cold foil on shrink sleeves has been available for about ten years, but we were actually the first to successfully try this effect. Over the years, we have contributed a number of advancements to the printing community. Currently, we are one of the only U.S. printers to offer metallic inks with digital printing. We like it when people say it can’t be done. It makes us prove them wrong!
