Selling Labels into the Government Market

Are you selling labels into the government sector? If not, you’re missing a huge opportunity. Federal, state, and local governments collectively spend more than $1 billion on printing annually. This includes high-quality labels of all types, from office and security applications to asset management and ID cards. Given the size and scope of this market, distributors have a tremendous opportunity to build lasting and highly profitable relationships.

What’s important to understand about the government sector is that we are talking about far more than office labels. Sure, government agencies are known for their paperwork, and paperwork = organization = labels. But “labels” can include far more. Beyond office labels, oet’s look at a variety of types of labels that are needed by government agencies at all levels:

Types of Labels Used in the Government Sector

Asset Labels: Labels used for identifying and tracking government-owned assets, including equipment, vehicles, and property, to ensure efficient management and control.

Barcoded Labels: Labels used to enable automated identification and tracking of government assets and inventory, streamlining inventory management and facilitating quick and accurate data retrieval.

Shipping and Logistics Labels: Labels used for efficient and organized shipment and logistics management, ensuring proper handling, delivery, and tracking of goods and materials.

Employee ID Badges: Identification badges issued for identification, access control, and security purposes, allowing for easy recognition and authorization within government premises.

Visitor Passes: Temporary identification passes issued to visitors for security and access control, allowing authorized access for designated periods while maintaining a secure environment.

Security Labels: Labels designed with security features to prevent tampering, counterfeiting, or unauthorized access, ensuring the protection of sensitive information and assets on government premises.

Asset Control Stickers: Stickers used for effective control and monitoring of government assets, providing visual identification and management of valuable resources and equipment.

HazCom Labels: Labels used for communicating hazardous material information, including potential risks, precautions, and handling instructions, ensuring compliance with safety regulations and standards.

Warning Labels: Labels conveying cautionary information about potential hazards or risks associated with specific products, equipment, or environments, promoting safety awareness and risk mitigation within government facilities.

Safety Labels: Labels used to promote safety awareness and provide instructions for safe handling, usage, and maintenance of equipment, materials, and facilities, fostering a secure work environment and preventing accidents.

Equipment Labels: Labels affixed to government equipment to provide identification, operational instructions, maintenance schedules, and safety guidelines, facilitating efficient equipment management and ensuring operational compliance.

Environmental Labels: Labels used to convey information about the environmental impact, sustainability, and ecofriendliness of products, materials, or facilities used, promoting environmental awareness and responsible practices.

Barcoded ID Cards: Identification cards embedded with barcodes for secure and efficient identification and access control of individuals on government premises, ensuring streamlined authentication and secure entry.

Agencies That Purchase Labels

The potential customer base for government labels is vast. It’s not just agencies at the federal, state, and local levels, but also covers the full spectrum of sectors for which government agencies are responsible and the full array of departments within each agency—federal, state, or local.

Let’s take a look at a few:

• Government Procurement Departments
• Government Agencies
• Government Contractors
• Government Compliance and Records Management Professionals
• Government Print Management Teams
• Government Office Managers/Administrators
• Departments of Motor Vehicles
• Departments of Social Services
• Departments of Health
• Departments of Education
• Departments of Environmental Protection
• Departments of Labor
• Departments of Revenue
• Departments of Transportation
• Departments of Agriculture
• Departments of Corrections
• Departments of Veterans Affairs
• Departments of Economic Development

Within these departments, you can look for procurement officers, department heads (or managers), budget managers, records managers, compliance officers, and office managers and administrators. All of these titles are responsible for purchasing labels of various types.

Build a Profitable Pocket of Business

So consider selling into the government market, if you aren’t already. By delivering high-quality, customizable solutions that meet the government’s diverse requirements, you can establish enduring partnerships and build highly profitable pockets of business.

Need help getting started? Contact your RSM. At Wise, we specialize in labels for the government sector, including fully custom labels and tags for specialized applications and needs.