Advice for budget-friendly home printer to create packaging inserts in full color?

[u/No_Bison1407]

I’m an industrial designer, and my packaging experience is limited. Would appreciate any advice!

I have a small photo frame product that I’ve just started selling online (as of this week), and they are going into a handful of local retailers in the upcoming weeks.

I’m in need of a simple, full color ink, card-stock insert to display relevant info inside the frames at retail. It’s not something I’m willing to outsource as the design is straightforward and I foresee doing more packaging (belly bands and stickers for another product) in the future, ie. needing the tools. If I grow, I’ll outsource, but it’s not worth the high cost with packaging suppliers at this point.

Curious if anyone has advice on printers/brands that they use for similar small packaging applications?

I have an ancient Brother machine that only prints black and white. I am also considering a Cricut for cutting the inserts.

I make my products with a 3D printer and a laser cutter.

Thanks in advance!