Electronics, pharmaceutical, packaging and shipping, agriculture, food and beverage and chemical and medical industries, among others, frequently employ fully integrated
labeling systems. These systems may include
label printers or
label makers,
label dispensers and
label applicators, which work together in a unified assembly or as individual components. Although this is not always so, most multifaceted systems utilize microprocessors or computer software to ensure the synchronization of each individual device. This software and the
labelers they help to operate are not limited to use in large industrial facilities. In fact, several
label machines are designed for hand held and customized label printing, embossing or engraving. It is exceedingly important to consider the specific requirements of a
labeling machine with regards to its intended use, which may be singular or comprehensive.
Print and apply labelers and other
labeling equipment may be employed as
bottle labelers or even used for
barcode labeling, depending on the specific application. This diversity illustrates the need to consider not only the mechanics involved, but also the substrate to which the label must adhere as this may include glass, plastics, fibrous materials or even metal. Because labeling encompasses such a broad range of possibilities, manufacturers should be consulted if any uncertainty persists when selecting a specific system to avoid costly mistakes or mechanical malfunctions.
There are three basic configurations for labeling machinery. Large industrial or heavy duty use label printing and applying devices are floor mounted and constructed of long lasting and durable materials such as stainless steel. Often times these machines are fully or partially automated and equipped for continuous processing. A photo eye or sensor may be employed to detect products as they move through assembly, thus ensuring accurate label placement. Intermediate models may also have this feature, but are much smaller. Like industrial models, these may print, dispense and apply labels. While some machines are designed to produce only one type and size of label, most are easily programmed to suit multiple labeling needs. Rather than floor standing, these are most often mounted on a bench or table allowing some mobility, though not as much as hand held options. Manual hand held options are used where imprecise label placement is allowable and are often very small as compared to both floor and bench mounted devices. While do-it-all hand held models are available, it is not uncommon for these to offer singular labeling provisions. Label makers allow users to design the graphics or lettering for a label as well as set the size limitations and select material construct. Printers are the machines that actually produce the labels that may be printed on a variety of printing stock, though it is essential to check compatibility before printing. While some printers can handle metals, foils and thermal transfer materials, others may be more limited to include only paper. Label dispensers may be manual or automatic and serve to ease selection and removal of the actual sticker or glued label from the webbing on which it was printed. Dispensers may be an integral part of automated applicators, which not only remove the label from its backing, but also compress, seal or heat labels as needed to allow them to adhere to the intended substrate.
The substrates to which labels are applied are numerous. The surface material and form is one of the most important considerations when selecting labeling machinery. While some machines are compatible only with flat or squared surfaces, others are specifically designed to label edges, curves, bottles and other three dimensional objects. Medical labelers, for example, often provide tamper proof seals that must move along the edge of the vial or container. Labeling machines not suited to this or other irregularities such as round or tapered surfaces will not provide accurate printing or application. Common options for printing include vertical or horizontal wrap labeling, which are used when labels must circumnavigate the entirety of the container or package. Flat labels can be top, bottom, front, back or any combination. No matter the placement, it is essential that the label material, adhering mechanism and surface material be compatible. Corrugated cardboard, papers, plastics, fibrous materials, foils, films and metals are all commonly labeled. Hot glue, pressure sensitive, thermal transfer, stamping and even simple ink transfer may all be used by label applicators or print and apply labelers. These materials may be part of the label material or backing, but may also be applied to the reverse side of the stamp or sticker just before application.
Labels are used and even required in many applications, to provide variable information about the objects to which they are adhered. Independent and government bodies such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), often dictate what information must be recorded on individual object labels to ensure standard identification as well as protect the health and safety of consumers. Nutritional facts and product warnings are commonly found on food and beverage labels, which also include brand name labels and decorative embellishments, as do most other retail items. Commercial merchants use barcode and pricing labels to provide both the consumer and clerk with pricing information and viability. Additionally, many companies include important information for product care. Far from limited, labels can also be used as signage and organizational tools in addition to product components. One of the most common applications in industrial, commercial and residential settings alike is packing labels, which direct the shipping and handling of items. The versatility of labels and the machines that produce, dispense and apply them should be taken into account when purchasing or using any labeling system. In addition to all aforementioned considerations, manufacturers should be concerned with both machine and label size, label inks, adjustability, accuracy, production speeds and triggering mechanisms.
Types of Labeling Machinery
- are
used for high volumes of labeling to label containers and other products.
As the conveyor moves the product or container into
position, a photo eye senses it and activates the application of the
label.
- Barcode labeling entails the production and application of concise encoded tags which allow manufacturers to acquire vast amounts of information about a specific product or container without the use of large or cumbersome labels.
- Bottle labelers make up a large portion of all labeling machines as they are utilized in several industrial and commercial applications for both informative and brand labeling of bottles, jars and vials of varying shapes and sizes.
- Label applicators are machines that automatically apply printed labels to products.
- Label dispensers are used in conjunction with label printers and applicators to facilitate the easy removal of the tags, tickets and stickers from the protective backing on which they are printed. Dispensers only partially remove the backing which is then fully removed by hand or other automated device.
- Label machines can dispense, print, or apply labels to packages.
- Label makers refer to stand alone labeling systems that simplify the production of tags, tickets, stickers and seals for ease of use and customization in many home and office environments. Although the term is more often applied to small hand-held devices, larger labeling machinery may also be referred to as such.
- Label printers are specially designed machines used to print labels or adhesive stamps on such variable materials as tape, ribbon, paper, metal, plastic, film, ceramics or fabric.
- Labeler is a term that can be applied to any number of labeling machinery, or machinery designed to create or apply tags, tickets or stickers which provide information or decoration for the products and materials to which they are applied. A labeler might include complete labeling system or individual parts such as printer, dispenser or applicator.
- Labeling equipment includes the machines used to print and apply labels.
- Labeling machines dispense, print, and apply labels to products.
- Labeling systems are used in the packaging process and can print and apply labels to final products.
- Print
and apply labelers print labels when
needed and apply them. An operator positions the product and activates
the unit for label application by depressing a foot switch or a proximity
switch, palm button or hot eyes; the operator then removes the product
and continues the sequence again.
Labeling Machinery Terms
- utilized with laser labels that is sensitive to pressure derived from
high-strength acrylic polymers
- A bond created when two
surfaces come in contact; usually needs at least twenty four hours for
ultimate adhesion
- An apparatus that automatically
runs labels through and applies them to products
- A binary coding system in
optical reading utilizing bars of differing thickness or position in the
encoded field; theses codes are printed by machines
- Paper with a coating
on the surface that results in a smooth finish; these surfaces range from
eggshell to glossy
- an adhesive
that bonds to frozen or refrigerated typically colder than thirty five
degrees or less
- A procedure that presses
an image down into the paper surface; varies from embossing, which produces
a raised image.
- square cut or die
cut label that does not have waste or matrix between labels removed
- labels on continual
backing that are pressure sensitive and have alternating folds along perforations
resulting in a type of flat pack.
- The purpose
of this adhesive is for labeling in environments where the heat exposure
is to temperatures exceeding four hundred fifty degrees
- the practical side of a pressure
sensitive assembly, consisting of a face and adhesive; consists of a variety
of shapes
- A label edge not covered
with adhesive for ease of removal; the coating of the adhesive used is
known as patterned gum
- the ability of
a label to be read through scanning barcode with a laser scanner or similar
apparatus; also known as Scannability
- adhesive
coating that varies bands of non-adhesive going parallel with the direction
of the machine with bands of adhesive; frequently utilized with a lift
tab
- typified with
a high ultimate adhesion since the label cannot be removed whole, or needs
a lot of effort to remove
- This adhesive is constantly tacky
and adheres to a wide range of surfaces it meets in conjunction with hand
pressure; the adhesion value determines whether it is removable or permanent
as well as the particular surface it bonds to
- The process of removing
a pressure sensitive label from the carrier or liner; this is interrelated
to the degree of tension required to release the label
- the pressure or state
that pressure sensitive labels can be detached from a surface
- this label sticks
to a substrate through static electricity without adhesive
- The pressure sensitive label's
preliminary bonding to a surface with the least amount of pressure and
contact time; also a description of the sticky feeling from physically
contact with adhesive
- A continual roll of label stock
that differs from sheets that are run through printing presses
