Seems crazy when you see people just giving stickers away that end up in trash, Depends on how they are printing them. I know the set up for the way we print at work would be even higher. They have to make a 'plate' for each color. But then most runs are 100s of 1000s of labels. So individually they probably cost pennies each. At least it is a one color job. Not sure if they can be printed digital like a home printer that will hold up to sunlight etc for outdoor exposure. Our labels get tested in a 'sun machine' (not the kind you have lol} to simulate long term exposure. So, you can read the label on your dish soap that has been sitting by the kitchen window for a while. LOL