Gravure printing is an excellent choice for high-volume printing, offering sharp detail, rich colors, and durability across millions of impressions.
But is it always the best option? For extremely long print runs, yes—but for short runs, no. The high setup costs, long production times, and need for engraved cylinders make it impractical for businesses that require flexibility, small batch production, or quick turnarounds.
For companies that need custom equipment labels in smaller quantities, Maverick Label provides short-run printing alternatives, delivering high-quality results without the limitations of gravure.
What Makes Gravure Printing Ideal for Long Runs?
Gravure printing, also known as rotogravure, is a high-speed printing method that uses engraved cylinders to transfer ink onto materials like packaging, labels, and magazines. It’s widely used because it offers:
- Unmatched image clarity and color depth
- Durable printing plates that last for millions of impressions
- Consistent quality across large print runs
While gravure is perfect for large-scale production, it’s not efficient for short-run printing.
Why Gravure Printing Isn’t the Best Choice for Short Runs
For businesses that need smaller quantities, gravure has some major downsides:
1. High Setup Costs
Gravure requires custom-engraved cylinders, which are expensive and time-consuming to produce. This drives up costs for short-run jobs, making alternatives like digital and flexographic printing more economical.
2. Long Production Lead Times
The engraving and preparation process can take days or weeks, making gravure too slow for fast-turnaround projects.
3. Limited Customization
Gravure is designed for repeatable, high-volume jobs, but it lacks the flexibility to easily update graphics, text, or branding between runs—something digital printing handles with ease.
4. More Waste, Less Sustainability
Gravure requires large material quantities, resulting in higher waste levels compared to on-demand digital printing, which is more eco-friendly.
Better Printing Options for Short Runs
For businesses needing low-volume, high-quality printing, digital and flexographic printing are better alternatives:
Digital Printing
- Perfect for short runs and custom jobs
- Lower setup costs, faster turnaround
- Easily adaptable for different designs
Flexographic Printing
- Best for mid-sized print runs with high-speed production
- More cost-effective than gravure for small batches
- Works on a variety of materials, including labels and packaging
Why Maverick Label Is the Best Alternative to Gravure
For businesses that need custom labels or packaging in smaller quantities, Maverick Label offers cost-effective, high-quality printing solutions with:
- No expensive setup fees
- Fast production times
- Custom printing options tailored to your needs
- Eco-friendly, on-demand printing
If you’re looking for affordable short-run printing, Maverick Label is the smarter choice.
Is Gravure the Best Choice for Your Business?
Gravure printing is the best choice for extremely long runs, but it doesn’t make sense for short-run printing due to high costs and long setup times.
If you need custom equipment labels in smaller quantities, Maverick Label provides affordable, high-quality digital and flexographic printing solutions tailored to your needs.
Gravure Printing for Long Runs FAQs
Gravure printing is popular for packaging, labels, wallpaper, magazines, and security printing because of its high durability and sharp image quality.
Gravure is great for large-scale production due to engraved cylinders and high-speed printing, while digital printing is better for short-run, customizable jobs.
Gravure has high setup costs, slow production times, and limited flexibility, making it inefficient for businesses with smaller printing needs.
Digital printing is the best option for short-run, fast-turnaround printing because it allows for cost-effective, customizable solutions.
If you need millions of identical prints with the highest image consistency, gravure is the best option due to its long-lasting engraved cylinders.
However, if your business requires smaller quantities, quick turnaround times, or frequent design changes, digital printing is the more cost-effective and flexible solution.
