25 years ago, Guru Labels started with a belief: there was a better way to deliver labels. Founder Nicholas Lowe made the decision to leave his job and start from scratch.
Back then, it was just a phone and persistence – cold calling businesses out of the Yellow Pages, introducing a company that didn’t yet exist. “It was telephone sales… cold calling customers… 18-hour days… no one does that anymore,” he adds.
Starting from scratch gave Guru Labels a rare advantage: a completely clean slate. There were no legacy systems, no outdated equipment and no bad habits to inherit. That freedom allowed the business to think differently – not just about labels, but about how the entire operation should work.
A culture that never changed
Today, Guru Labels supports nearly 14,000 customers – but the mindset is the same as day one: every call matters; every job matters; and every customer experience matters.
The team is built around a culture of seeing things through – whether that’s answering the phone, sending samples, or making sure the final result is right. It’s also why Guru Labels has become a trusted partner for trade customers. Because when other printers trust you with their customers, it means one thing: They know you won’t let them down.
Every member of the team works to this standard: No label leaves the premises without passing the Guru test; it has to be the best. That mindset comes from understanding how labels are actually used in the real world — not in ideal conditions.
From self-laminating test tag labels that protect critical information from wear, to a durability testing process where labels are applied and monitored over time in real conditions – and even rethinking how industries order, with on-demand nursery labels developed after seeing growers forced into bulk orders and unnecessary waste — every solution is designed to perform where it matters. These aren’t just products. They’re practical solutions to real customer problems.
With continued investment in technology, people, and processes, Guru Labels keeps pushing forward — focused on innovation, service, and delivering better outcomes for customers.
Caption:
Nick Lowe, owner, Guru Labels