In this guide, we break down everything BC pharmacies need to know about printing prescription labels, from choosing the right paper stock and format, to making sure your setup works seamlessly with Kroll and WinRx. We also show you why more local pharmacies are partnering with AllLabels, a Surrey-based label manufacturer serving pharmacies across British Columbia and Canada-wide.
Why the Way You Print Prescription Labels Matters More Than You Think
Pharmacies operate in a fundamentally different environment than chain pharmacies. You do not have a national procurement team negotiating your supply contracts. You are not ordering labels by the truckload with built-in quality guarantees. What you do have is direct accountability to your patients and your community, and that means every label that comes off your printer needs to be right.
When a prescription label fails, whether because the adhesive peels off the bottle, the barcode does not scan, the text smears after handling, or the roll jams mid-shift, the consequences are not just operational. They are clinical. A dispensary team working around a label problem is a team not focused on patient care.
Here is what most pharmacy owners in BC eventually realize: the problem is rarely the printer. It’s the label stock. That realization is exactly where AllLabels comes in.
AllLabels is a Surrey, BC-based label manufacturer that has built its pharmacy label offering specifically around the operational realities of Canadian pharmacies. From paper stock weight and adhesive specification to software compatibility and turnaround time, every decision in how we produce labels is made with your dispensary environment in mind.
Sheet Labels vs. Roll Labels: Which Format Should You Use to Print Prescription Labels?
The first decision every pharmacy makes is format. In BC, most pharmacies are running one of two setups: laser sheet printing or roll-fed dispensing systems. Understanding which one fits your operation is essential before you order a single label. AllLabels produces both, and our prepress team can help you confirm the right fit based on your printer or dispenser model.
Laser Prescription Sheet Labels
Sheet labels are designed for pharmacies that use standard laser printers as part of their daily dispensing workflow. If your team prints labels through a laser printer and applies them manually, sheet labels are your format. They come in Letter or A4 sizes and can be configured with single or multiple label layouts per sheet, depending on your volume and workflow.
The quality of the paper stock matters significantly here. At AllLabels, we use high-quality bond paper for our sheet labels. This ensures smooth feeding through laser printers, crisp and readable text output, and consistent adhesion to prescription bottles. Lower-grade paper stock commonly used by other suppliers causes misfeeds, smearing, and unreadable barcodes, which cost your team time every single day.
AllLabels sheet labels are available in 1-colour, 2-colour, 3-colour, and full CMYK formats. You can match your pharmacy branding or keep it clean and simple with black-on-white output. There are no plate charges and no artwork fees, so custom-branded options are accessible regardless of your order size.
Pharmacy Roll Labels
Roll labels are the right choice for pharmacies running high-volume dispensing environments or automated dispensing systems. If your pharmacy uses a roll-fed label dispenser, you need labels built to feed consistently through that equipment without jamming, misfiring, or leaving adhesive residue in the machine.
AllLabels roll labels are manufactured with consistent feeding in mind. Every roll is produced with clean edges, even tension, and strong permanent adhesive. They are available in 1-inch, 2-inch, or 3-inch core sizes, with inside or outside wind configurations depending on your dispenser requirements. When you contact us, share your printer or dispenser model and we will match the unwind direction and core size to your exact setup.
→ Not sure whether sheet or roll labels are the right fit for your dispensary setup? Contact the AllLabels team in Surrey today and we will match you to the right format based on your printer and dispenser model.
How to Print Prescription Labels That Work with Kroll and WinRx
Software compatibility is the most common source of label frustration for BC pharmacies. Your label stock needs to align precisely with the output specifications of your pharmacy management system, and the two most widely used systems among pharmacies in British Columbia are Kroll and WinRx. AllLabels produces labels tested and confirmed compatible with both.
Kroll-Compatible Labels from AllLabels
Kroll is one of the leading pharmacy software systems used by pharmacies across Canada. When you print prescription labels through Kroll, the label dimensions, layout, and alignment need to match exactly what the system is configured to output. Even small variations in label size, margins, or paper weight can cause misalignment, wasted labels, and reprinting delays.
AllLabels produces both sheet and roll labels specifically tested for Kroll compatibility. Our prepress team works with your existing layout and Kroll configuration to make sure every label feeds, prints, and applies exactly as intended. We support pharmacies running Kroll dual web sheet systems and standard Kroll roll configurations across Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, and throughout the Lower Mainland. If you are switching from another supplier, we can work from a sample label or your existing Kroll print specifications.
WinRx Roll Labels from AllLabels
WinRx pharmacies typically operate with roll-fed dispensing systems, which means the specifications go beyond just the label dimensions. Core size, unwind direction, roll tension, and adhesive type all need to match your specific WinRx dispenser model. Getting any of these wrong means your dispenser jams, misfires, or produces labels that will not adhere properly.
AllLabels manufactures WinRx-compatible roll labels built to precise specifications for your equipment. When you place your order, share your dispenser model with us and we will confirm the unwind direction and core configuration before we go to press. This is not a generic roll label sold as WinRx-compatible. It is a label produced specifically to your dispenser’s requirements, backed by our prepress team’s hands-on knowledge of WinRx setups across BC.
For guidance on pharmacy operations and compliance standards relevant to BC pharmacies, the Canadian Pharmacists Association is a useful reference for understanding how labelling fits into broader dispensing workflows and patient safety obligations.
What Makes a Prescription Label Printer Setup Fail (And How AllLabels Fixes It)
Many BC pharmacies come to AllLabels after months of dealing with label problems they assumed were prescription label printer issues. In most cases, the printer is fine. The problem is the consumable going through it. Here are the most common failure points we see, and what AllLabels does differently.
Paper Weight and Stock Quality
The single biggest driver of label printing problems in pharmacies is paper weight. Many budget label suppliers use light stock that was never designed for the stress of a pharmacy environment. Thin paper jams more easily, smears under toner, and does not hold up when bottles are handled repeatedly throughout the day.
AllLabels uses 80lb bond paper for our prescription sheet labels, compared to the 24lb stock that many competing suppliers rely on. The difference in handling, feed performance, and label durability is significant. Pharmacies that switch to AllLabels report fewer jams, fewer reprints, and consistently cleaner output from the first label to the last.
Adhesive Failure
A prescription label that peels away from the bottle is a patient safety issue. The adhesive on your label stock needs to bond securely to prescription bottles, including curved surfaces, in environments where bottles may be refrigerated, handled frequently, or exposed to moisture. AllLabels uses permanent adhesive as our standard specification, which provides strong and reliable bonding across typical pharmacy bottle surfaces. If your current labels are peeling, lifting at the edges, or leaving residue, the adhesive specification is almost certainly the issue.
Barcode Legibility
Pharmacies rely on barcodes for dispensing accuracy and inventory control. If your label stock produces barcodes that scan inconsistently, your team is manually entering data that should be automated. This slows dispensing and introduces transcription risks that no pharmacy can afford.
AllLabels is Lexmark, Canon, and HP certified, which means our labels are tested for compatibility with the printers most commonly used in BC pharmacy environments. Combined with our high-quality bond paper and precise print specifications, consistent and scannable barcode output is standard, not something you have to chase.
Inconsistent Quality Across Orders
One of the quieter frustrations for pharmacies ordering from large online distributors is variation between orders. The labels that worked perfectly in one month can cause feeding issues in another month, because the stock has changed without notice. AllLabels operates brand-new press and tooling, which means every run produces consistent output. You are not dealing with an aging press or variable stock. What you receive in your first order is what you will receive in your tenth.
→ Is your team reprinting labels every day because of smearing, jams, or scanner failures? Talk to the AllLabels team in Surrey, BC and find out what consistently reliable prescription label printing actually looks like.
Why Pharmacies Across Canada Choose AllLabels
AllLabels is part of the Allegra network, manufacturing labels from our facility in Surrey, BC. We supply pharmacies across the Lower Mainland, including Vancouver, Burnaby, Richmond, Abbotsford, Langley, Delta, and Coquitlam, as well as pharmacies across Alberta and Canada-wide. Here is what makes working with us different from ordering through a national distributor or online commodity supplier.
Local Production and Fast Turnaround
Since we manufacture locally in Surrey, BC, our turnaround times are significantly faster than suppliers shipping from central Canada or the United States. For pharmacies that run tight on label inventory and cannot afford long waits on reorders, local production is a real operational advantage. Rush service is available when you need it.
No Hidden Fees
Many label suppliers charge separately for plate setup, artwork creation, and minimum order overruns. At AllLabels, there are no plate charges and no artwork charges. What you see in your quote is what you pay. Custom-branded pharmacy labels with your pharmacy name, logo, and contact details are available in 1 to 4 colour printing at no additional setup cost.
Prepress Support That Understands Pharmacy
Our team has worked with pharmacy clients long enough to understand the specific requirements of Kroll layouts, WinRx roll specifications, and the practical realities of a high-volume dispensary. When you reach out with a question about your label setup, you get someone who can actually answer it, not a general customer service agent reading from a script.
A Label Partner, Not Just a Supplier
Pharmacies in BC do not need another faceless vendor. They need a label partner who understands their environment, responds quickly, and gets the spec right the first time. That is what AllLabels has built its pharmacy label practice around. Whether you are ordering for the first time or switching from a supplier that has been letting you down, our process is designed to make the transition simple and the ongoing relationship reliable.
AllLabels also serves a wide range of other industries beyond pharmacy, including food and beverage labels, health care labels, and cannabis labels. Our cross-industry experience means we bring proven production standards to every pharmacy order.
If you are thinking about how label quality connects to your pharmacy’s overall brand presentation, our post on 10 Label Design Mistakes That Could Be Hurting Your Sales covers practical design principles that apply just as much in a dispensary context as they do in retail.
→ Ready to stop dealing with label problems and work with a local BC supplier who knows pharmacy? Request a quote from AllLabels today and get labels built to your exact Kroll or WinRx specifications.
Ordering Prescription Labels from AllLabels: What You Need to Know
Getting started with AllLabels is straightforward. To request a quote for prescription labels, have the following information ready:
- Label format: sheet or roll
- Label size: your current dimensions or the dimensions your Kroll or WinRx system outputs
- Sheet size or roll specifications: core size, wind direction, roll length
- Colour option: 1-colour through full CMYK
- Quantity: AllLabels accommodates custom quantities with no overrun charges
- Printer or dispenser type and model: this allows us to match wind direction and core size correctly
For pharmacies switching from a current supplier, we can work from a sample label or your existing specifications. Our prepress team will review your setup and flag anything that needs to be adjusted before we go to press. The goal is zero surprises when your labels arrive.
Talk to a Local Pharmacy Label Specialist Today
AllLabels has been supplying labels to pharmacies across British Columbia and Canada from our production facility in Surrey, BC. We understand the operational realities of running an independent dispensary, and we build labels to the specifications your Kroll or WinRx system actually requires.
No plate charges. No artwork fees. No overrun costs. Just clean, consistent, locally produced prescription labels delivered fast.
→ Is your current label supplier causing more problems than they are solving? Find out what it looks like to work with a local BC label manufacturer who gets it. Contact AllLabels today
Frequently Asked Questions: Print Prescription Labels in BC
Can I print prescription labels through Kroll using AllLabels stock?
Yes. AllLabels sheet and roll labels are tested for compatibility with Kroll pharmacy software. We produce labels to your existing Kroll layout specifications, including dual web sheet formats and roll configurations. Pharmacies across Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, and the Lower Mainland use our labels with Kroll daily.
Does AllLabels supply WinRx-compatible roll labels?
Yes. We manufacture WinRx roll labels to match your specific dispenser model, including core size and unwind direction. Share your dispenser model with us when you request a quote and we will confirm compatibility before production.
How quickly can you supply prescription labels?
We manufacture locally in Surrey, BC, which means turnaround times are significantly faster than ordering from out-of-province suppliers. Rush service is available when you need it. Contact us with your timeline and we will let you know what we can do.
Do you charge plate or artwork fees for custom pharmacy labels?
No. AllLabels does not charge plate setup fees or artwork fees. Custom-branded pharmacy labels with your pharmacy name, logo, and contact details are available in 1 to 4 colour printing with no hidden charges.
Can AllLabels ship prescription labels to pharmacies outside Vancouver and Surrey?
Yes. While we are based in Surrey, BC, we ship pharmacy labels Canada-wide. We regularly supply pharmacies across British Columbia including Burnaby, Richmond, Abbotsford, Langley, Coquitlam, and Delta, as well as pharmacies in Alberta and other provinces.
What other label services does AllLabels offer?
In addition to pharmacy labels, AllLabels produces food labels, beverage labels, health care labels, cannabis labels, blank labels, and a full range of custom packaging including pouches, display boxes, and custom tape. Our full product and service list is available on the AllLabels website.
I have been having barcode scanning issues. Can AllLabels help?
Yes. Barcode legibility issues are almost always related to paper stock quality, toner compatibility, or label dimensions. AllLabels is Lexmark, Canon, and HP certified. Our labels are produced on high-quality bond paper and tested for consistent print output. Contact us and describe the issue and we will help diagnose whether the problem is the label stock, the layout, or the printer settings.
