Post-press

Adding intelligence to labels – barcodes, RFID and beyond

Feedimporter — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 11:37:00 +0000

Posted date

5 years 9 months ago

Publication type

Chapter

Randomize

Featured article

Short title

Adding intelligence to labels – barcodes, RFID and beyond

Short summary

Intelligent labels and smart packaging are designed to deliver valuable additional product information to us at point of purchase or point of use

Teaser image

Display section

Post-press

Chapter section

Labels that react to environmental changes are mostly encountered in the food and drink sector, although color changes can also provide useful indications of product condition for some pharmaceuticals and electronic components too.

These labels inform about temperature change and advisable serving conditions, as well as ripeness condition and in some instances they can delay the effects of product deterioration such as in fresh packed meat and fish.

Most products carry some sort of code. This code can be simple or complex, dependent upon how much data needs to be carried and how important such information is to those in the supply chain and beyond.

In cases where data is used to deliver more complex messages - that may be visually read – this will require the aid of a barcode scanner, smart phone or tablet computer.

Product security is a process rather than an isolated event and in order to deliver a safe outcome it is necessary to capture status information at choke points within the supply chain as well as at the location of purchase and up to the final point of consumption.

Status information may include some, or maybe all of the following:

What is the ‘sell-by’ and ‘use by’ date for the product?

Where was the product manufactured and which production batch did it come from?

Does the product carry a unique identification number and if so is the product still in the correct distribution channel?

Has the product been exposed to environmental factors that are outside a safe temperature range?

Is the product still fresh or has it been exposed to unsafe conditions during transit?

Is the product authentic and has it remained unopened before use?

LABELS AND PACKAGING THAT INFORMS ON ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECTS THROUGH VISUAL PROCESSING

As mentioned previously, unwanted or unsafe environmental exposure can be reported visually with a color change. Likewise, the best time to consume a product can also be communicated visually with a color change ink as can the best serving temperature for hot and cold drinks.

It is fairly commonplace now to see color change inks on beer labels that change from clear to blue when the correct levels of coolness are reached before serving. Also warnings can be displayed on hot beverages such as coffee and tea that caution that the beverage may be too hot to consume and needs to cool further before drinking.

Other popular applications for such informative labels include ripeness indicators that ‘sense’ a change in the chemical compounds surrounding fresh fruit in a clear PET carton and indicate where the fruit is firm, juicy or overripe.

In meat products the ingress of oxygen into containers sealed or flushed with nitrogen can lead to deterioration in the product, making it unsafe or unappetizing to eat. Such labels are useful to warn shop staff as well as consumers that such foodstuffs are past their best and need to be taken off display or thrown away.

Labels can also be used to accurately inform of water contamination in the field of consumer electronic goods and components.

Water contamination is a common occurrence in the FMCG electronics sector. Products such as cell phones, tablet computers and such can accidentally be dropped into water or exposed to rain or snow during use. This invalidates their guarantee, but repairers may not be aware when a product is returned for service that water ingress is the cause of the malfunction.

Often it is in the interest of the user not to disclose that a broken cell phone has been dropped into a drink or a sink full of water by mistake.

Water contamination indicators (Figure 8.4 ) are supplied in label form and irreversibly change colour alerting to the fact that water damage has occurred. This technology is useful to both the user and the original equipment supplier since it prevents misunderstandings occurring when malfunctioning products are returned for replacement or repair.

Most of the above illustrations apply to safety and provide advice on the recommended best conditions and time to consume a product. Whist not considered directly as anti-counterfeit solutions in their own right; they add a degree of complexity to the packaging and therefore act as a barrier that counterfeiters can find obstructive if they are unable to obtain the same degree of quality information delivered by these proprietary devices.

LABELS AND PACKAGING THAT DELIVER ‘QUALITATIVE’ STATUS DATA IN DIGITAL CODING FORMAT

Unwanted or unsafe product condition can be communicated through color change chemistry that requires the use of specially formulated inks that change their state dependent upon exposure to pre-set environmental conditions.

These solutions, however, can only inform on the current status of a product at any specific moment is time.

They cannot identify other critical information that a user or supply chain manager would find useful, such as whether the product packaging confirms authenticity or that the correct distribution path has been taken which would confirm that diversion or parallel importing had not taken place.

Furthermore, data on the source of the product, together with manufacturing information such as lot number, serial number and expiry date are also essential pieces of information that need to be acquired at various points in the supply chain.

Very basic coding systems such as those that only provide an expiry date and lot number or product reference still require protection from alteration fraud since once a product has passed its sell by date it loses value. Therefore some means of preventing alteration or identifying that alteration has taken place is necessary.

This may involve over-laminating with a clear destructible label or debossing using a hard metal die to impress the data into the carton substrate
(Figure 8.5).

Alternative approaches could involve the use of hot or cold stamping foil to apply the variable information to the label or pack at the same time as pricing or the Universal Product Code (UPC) is added. A more practical approach for large batches of product is to pre-print this information.

Many producers choose to add this basic data through the use of inkjet printers or laser marking systems. Whatever process is chosen there is a basic requirement to ensure that alterations cannot easily be made, otherwise product integrity may be compromised.

Alteration protection may involve lamination, the overlay of a de-metalized holographic label or the addition of a clear optically variable varnish.

Whilst it is commonplace to see the UPC barcode on many products, this code is static and only applies to a specific product type, size and other common attribute such as color or style. A fixed code will always be displayed on every item through the range produced.

In order to identify a specific item within this range it is necessary to provide every article with a unique reference number so that it may be identifiable and thereby traceable. We see numbers on banknotes, passports and identity documents so it should not be out of the ordinary for us to see them appearing on products too, especially as we move further towards the internet of things (IoT ).

Barcodes are useful since they allow us to acquire relatively long and complex reference numbers that may contain letters and symbols as well as numbers. Such codes provide almost instant machine readability when placed in front of a barcode reader or smart phone camera.

The main driver in the process of tracking and tracing products in this way is the ubiquitous cell phone. It should be recognized at this point that track & trace systems in isolation do NOT deliver authentication. However they can be modified to provide both real-time supply chain information and product verification if designed correctly.

First, let’s look at some interesting fairly recent history. With the introduction of digital telecommunications systems in the 1990s it was possible for users to send each other text messages, given that they were equipped with the necessary 2G phones and a suitable key pad.

Very basic authentication systems grew up that took advantage of this capability and it was possible to ‘text’ a short message service (SMS) alpha-numeric code to a given telephone number and receive a simple reply confirming or refuting authenticity.

This process, however, was pretty insecure since a database containing the information on the range of serial numbers used could be hacked. If a counterfeiter purchased several genuine products and took note of their codes it was not difficult to predict how the coding structure worked and then introduce copies of the code or predict future reference numbers that had yet to come into circulation.

The benefit that such codes delivered was the ability to check that a pack or label bearing the code was authentic. This could be achieved via a suitably equipped cell phone with Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) or through a laptop or desktop computer linked to the internet. The latter process often required the keying of a lengthy alpha-numeric code and this process in itself limited the flexibility of the system because keying such extended code often led to keying errors which caused frustration and annoyance.

The process has evolved over time and was refined in order to overcome these obstacles. By the turn of the century structured encrypted codes that were not reliant upon a database for checking had been developed. These codes were randomly generated and sent by the user via text message to a server where they were decrypted and verified, removing the hacking vulnerability. In order to protect such codes from copy attacks they were often hidden beneath scratch panels (Figure 8.6) or perforated opaque over-laminates similar to those used by the banks to advise a new PIN for credit or debit card activation.

In some cases the unique reference was also provided as a barcode so that keying was not required and early applications relied upon the camera within the phone for a communication tool. A picture was taken of the barcode and was sent by multi-media messaging (MMS) to a server where the code was decoded and a return message delivered by SMS confirming or denying authenticity.

Despite some of these drawbacks the process of ‘serialization’ or adding exclusive identifiers was adopted by many brand owners who recognized the benefits that unique item identification provided, especially within the closed supply chain where it became easier to track and trace items on an individual level.

QUANTITATIVE + QUALITATIVE = TOTAL PRODUCT VISIBILITY IN TRACK & TRACE

Today, the practice of track and trace has advanced enormously, with complex coding structures being developed that are able to carry sufficient information to embrace all the critical data needed to identify an item, where it originated, when it should be used and whether it is in the correct supply channel, to pinpoint just a few of the attributes such codes deliver.

Sophisticated coding systems using inkjet or laser ablation marking can be mounted on packaging machinery and any number of ancillary devices that are required for fast filling, sealing, lidding, and capping. Running such systems requires a database-driven encoding process that delivers the required information at packaging line speeds, often onto a curved surface that can deform the code significantly unless compensated for in software.

Such software must also drive quality inspection tools to ensure that readable codes are being produced.

This requires the use of scanners that read every code produced and ensure that it meets the requirements of the barcode symbology being generated. (Interleaved 2 of 5, Datamatrix, QR Code etc.)

For perfect ‘first time read rates’ there will be a requirement to meet edge definition standards, print contrast and dimensional stability in every code produced. If these standards are not met then poor reading performance may well nullify any of the expected benefits that automatic code acquisition may deliver to the track and trace environment.

At this juncture it should again be noted that track & trace in itself is not authentication. Whilst track and trace data provides an essential measurement as to the status of a correctly coded product, it can only provide an indication of origin or veracity.

To ensure that the code is trustworthy it must be encrypted and contain a unique (ideally) randomized reference that can be verified using the digital tools that are now available, such as cloud computing which can be reached through wi-fi or mobile connections and a connected intelligent (learning) network that works dynamically to identify fraud as it happens in real time.

This whole process is being driven by what are considered to be the five major digital enablers of authentication and product security.

With the introduction of smartphones such as Apple’s iPhone and Samsung’s Galaxy series amongst others, the ability of such devices to run powerful apps in conjunction with 3G, 4G (and next Big Data 5G) telephony, plus wi-fi connectivity means that more than a quarter of the world’s population has access to a barcode reader and the ability to interrogate a product’s genuineness and origin through a barcode acquired through the phone’s inbuilt camera.

Barcoding is becoming synonymous with security in both pharmaceuticals and tobacco markets as alliances and government directives encourage the use of track, trace and authenticate systems to ensure product integrity and protect against counterfeit products reaching the consumer.

In the pharmaceutical sector in particular there are a number of government mandates already in force; or about to be activated. For instance in Europe the EU Falsified Medicine Directive will come into force in 2018.

This means that cartons of prescribed medicines will be required to carry a 2D Datamatrix code (Figure 8.8) and corresponding clear text on every pack to enable serialization and traceability.

Many predict that in the pharmaceutical market protection of the secondary packaging is not enough and primary packaging such as blisters should also carry the code. Taking this a stage further some suppliers of coding systems are providing the ability to code each tablet, capsule and vial with its own protective code.

By consolidating codes in this way, and by supplying a master number to every case that leads to subsequent cartons and eventually dose level, a powerful barrier is placed in front of any counterfeiter or perpetrator of fraud such as those that may choose to ‘seed’ fakes amongst legitimate consignments.

Ideally, to improve efficiency, such systems require the aggregation of the coding structure which is illustrated below and shows how a tertiary case would be marked with its own unique identifier and then how each subsequent pack and sub-pack in the case would be marked so that each individual primary pack carries a hierarchical reference which includes its unique reference/position/identifier amongst others in the consignment.

Another market where track & trace is finding ground is that controlled by the major tobacco companies. Alliances formed by the chief tobacco players in the global market are designed to defend and identify cigarettes which are constantly under counterfeit attack across the globe.

The tobacco market has always been an attractive target for counterfeit activity, mainly because of the high excise duty that is levied by governments in an attempt to control consumption and also to raise income to pay for defense, social services etc.

Coding technology offers opportunities for tobacco companies to discover where their products are finally consumed, since the distribution chain can be highly extended and there are a number of opportunities for this to be compromised by inserting fake (or diverted) products at various points within the chain.

The challenge posed for the tobacco industry is that cigarettes are a mass consumer product and universal coding needs to be applied in as many markets as possible, since it is difficult to control the product effectively once it has left the factory. In order to address this weakness the industry has developed a code verification system (CVS).

CVS is a 2D barcode that uses a unique encrypted 12-character number to identify and authenticate a cigarette pack. The number, when linked to a database, can be verified and can be read by a human or by a computer-driven barcode scanner.

By entering the number in the database or scanning the code, a code-verifying computer program will determine whether the code is authentic
or not. The code has information about the place of manufacture, the machinery, the date and time of production, and the brand.

CVS is a part of the PMI Codentify system. Philip Morris International reports that the application of the codes to product packaging has a minimal impact on the manufacturing process.

PMI has licensed the technology to its three main competitors: British American Tobacco, Japanese Tobacco, and Imperial Tobacco.

Together, they will use and promote this system to governments to ensure a single standard for product verification and identification of non-conforming, tax evading stock.

A similar system is also used for checking the authenticity of cigar boxes. The code is placed on a cigar box before it is sealed and a paper wrapper placed on each cigar.

From these two illustrations it will be appreciated that track & trace in isolation does not automatically deliver satisfactory confirmation of authenticity. A further process is required and this embeds a unique serialized reference to the code that when encrypted supplies the necessary robustness needed to protect both the code and the database from compromise or copy attacks.

It is also important to recognize that such coding technology often exists alongside other more formal methods of overt and covert authentication, since not everyone outside the industry will have access to the code verification system. Therefore it may be observed that holograms, invisible inks and forensic markers (amongst other authentication features) may also be in widespread use in both tobacco and pharmaceutical packaging.

RANDOMIZATION – CODING THAT IS PRACTICALLY IMPOSSIBLE TO COPY OR DISRUPT

In the importance of printing substrates in brand security article it was discovered how randomization provided a useful method of protecting materials from copying and replication assaults.

The combination of randomly distributed colored fibers and planchettes in security label substrates and papers provides the designer with a tool that is practically impossible to copy. This is because to replicate such random occurrences and features within a substrate is an impractical proposition for any counterfeiter. Mimicking these features is just too time consuming and costly to justify the effort.

The developers of coding systems have also recognized the value of randomization in providing a barrier to the imitation of track, trace and authenticate codes.

In order to capitalize on this attribute a number of security solution providers have introduced various proprietary systems that depend on randomization as a kernel to their serialization and authentication systems.

The process relies on artificial randomization and can embrace unsystematically placed dots, lines or other visually identifiable features such as colored pellets that can be added to a label during the printing process or to the substrate during manufacture.

To demonstrate how artificial randomization works it is necessary to imagine holding, say, six match sticks in your hand. If you throw these lightly into the air they will drop and form a pattern when they finally come to rest on the surface of a table for instance.

Every time you do this a different pattern will be formed. Some match sticks will lie in isolation, others will fall across each other forming a series of intersections. Finally, if the pattern produced is contained within a specific area, all points created by the crossing of the matchsticks as well as the position of each matchstick can be plotted. It will be noted that each time the process is repeated a different (random) pattern will be formed.

Such a procedure will generate millions of different (position) combinations, all of which can be stored in a database as a numeric code. Adding such a code to a label immediately introduces a unique artificial feature that can be authenticated and that is impossible to copy easily.

By linking this visual, randomly created code to a serialized barcode that is encrypted, it is possible to provide a useful link between the random visual code and the stored image in the database.

Codes produced in such a way can be read with smartphone apps and verified using software residing in the phone and also in the database (Figure 8.12).

Attempts to copy, say, one code and replicate it many times will be immediately evident since each barcode is unique (as is its accompanying randomized feature) and can be designed to reveal other attributes such as its position within the supply chain, whether it has been read before, and if so how many times.

RFID AND NFC: AUTHENTICATION SYSTEMS OF THE FUTURE?

This sub-title may seem somewhat confusing since RFID and NFC have already been chosen and proven as ideal authentication systems for incorporating into packaging and labeling.

However this choice is measured against the cost of such systems, which require a complicated infrastructure of readers and also a heavy investment in RFID tags that need to be placed on all the articles within the supply chain that are to be protected from counterfeiting.

RFID is an abbreviation for radio frequency identification and as this title suggests, each tag can be identified by a unique number embedded within the tag that can be acquired through a wireless connection. These ‘radio barcodes’ consist of a silicon chip, an antennae through which data passes and is stored, and a carrier which is usually a pressure sensitive label.

Dependent upon their construction, tags can be read from a distance (Figure 8.13) and can be designed to deliver both reading and writing functionality. Power is delivered to the chip in the tag by the incoming radio signal which also carries a command for the tag to deliver its data payload to the reader.

Such tags can be designed to provide tamper detection by adding a perforation to the label substrate that carries the antennae. If such a label is used as a seal, once the seal is broken so is the ability of the tag to communicate.

Even in their most simplified format, such as a radio tag that carries only an identification number, these tags can cost a number of US cents each, even when purchased in large quantities. In small quantities such items require an investment of ten or fifteen cents depending on their format.

Therefore until the price of such devices falls significantly their widespread use in brand protection is limited to applications where such an investment is only a small part of the cost of the item carrying the tag.

Therefore such RFID solutions have so far mainly been focused on high price designer goods such as ladies’ handbags, shoes and clothing where price tickets can absorb the cost of such devices and counterfeiting is an ever present threat.

RFID is widely used in a number of other applications such as transport (contactless) ticketing, access control, industrial asset management and logistics.

Manufacturers of RFID tags promote the return on investment (ROI) such devices may provide in brand protection, especially in a well-designed system that leverages on the various attributes of a tag such as providing hands free reading, tamper evidence, authentication, anti-theft protection and supply chain information such as product origin, destination and route to market.

These elements when taken in their entirety can all be added to the functionality of a tag, but the incremental additional costs of each performance enhancement feature needs to deliver more in return to make the ROI worthwhile.

For instance EAS, (Electronic Article Surveillance) allows retailers to protect their stock from theft both from display and from within the stockroom.

Therefore in such applications combining EAS functionality with authentication will deliver benefits for the retailer and the brand owner who may wish to use RFID as a feature to engage with consumers as well as deliver protection against fake products reaching the consumer through legitimate channels.

Nowadays RFID tags can be made with safety features that also protect them from counterfeiters. Just like holograms and color change inks, where RFID tags were useful in brand protection applications there was a demand for fake tags in order to confer authenticity onto phony product.

This weakness was previously considered an inhibitor to market acceptance of RFID for brand protection, but developments that add physically un-clonable functions (PUF’s) to the tag have removed this obstacle.

The role of PUF’s in protecting RFID tags from counterfeiting involves the recognition of tiny imperfections in the chip carried by the tag. These imperfections act as a material biometric and are written into the tag memory as a self-checking feature.

The evolution of RFID over the last two decades has delivered a trustworthy product that promises to become more widely used in packaging security as manufacturing methods change and printed electronics replaces the more expensive manufacturing processes of the past.

The development of NFC (near field communications) is an important trend in widening the scope for RFID adoption. The growth of this technology, which has a smaller form factor than RFID, but functions in the same manner, has been proven in transport ticketing and in contactless payments.

Contactless payment technology has been previously hindered by a dearth of infrastructure, but with the recent introduction of NFC applications on Android and now iOS platforms the use of contactless payment methods in stores, coffee shops, newsagents and on public transport has reinvigorated the banks and business as a whole to provide the infrastructure necessary to drive the process further and faster.

Encouraged by the simplicity and speed of the process, as well as the security offered by fingerprint authentication at point of transaction, smartphone users and brand owners are recognizing the power of this solution for brand protection applications.

Again, it is important to highlight the need for delivering a firm ‘business case’ for NFC in this consumer (not payment) environment. Systems that leverage the attributes of NFC such as secure authentication, tamper evidence and consumer engagement functions will be covered here.

Intro section

The word ‘intelligence’, often used as a prefix to labels and also packaging, is rather a misnomer since true intelligence requires thought, analysis and intellectual processing. However, intelligent labels and smart packaging are terms we all recognize and associate with systems and devices on packaging that are designed to deliver valuable additional product information to us at point of purchase or point of use.

This additional useful information may be acquired visually as a color change indicator for instance, or for more complex information exchange the use of a smart phone may be required.

Migrate nid

89680

Migrate path

/label-academy/article/adding-intelligence-labels-%E2%80%93-barcodes-rfid-and-beyond

Article main topic

Interactive technology

redirected

Article slug

/label-academy/article/adding-intelligence-labels-%E2%80%93-barcodes-rfid-and-beyond

Foiling, embossing and 2D, 3D holographic solutions

Feedimporter — Thu, 26 Nov 2020 11:04:00 +0000

Posted date

5 years 9 months ago

Publication type

Chapter

Randomize

Featured article

Short title

Foiling, embossing and 2D, 3D holographic solutions

Short summary

Qualities such as uniqueness, application of skilled technology and processes, together with other barriers such as high investment in plant and equipment and proprietary processes, are all obstacles to counterfeiters

Teaser image

Display section

Post-press

Chapter section

To be effective, and in order to act as a warning or precursor of the possibility that a product may be counterfeit it needs to carry easily recognizable, but secure characteristics, that can be identified as genuine by purchasers and those policing the distribution chain in order to root out fakes and diverted product.

In well balanced, secure counterfeit detection and deterrence systems, there will always be the presence of overt, covert and forensic technologies that are tasked with initial identification, secondary confirmation and finally forensic proof that may be used in legal challenges that require court action.

FOILING AND EMBOSSING

Foiling and embossing are both supplementary operations that are provided by printers to enhance a products appearance through its packaging or wet glue labeling.

Though it is not usual to see embossing on pressure-sensitive labels because the base material is not conducive to high degrees of pressure, it can be delivered through intaglio printing with the right material present and even simulated by silk screen processes that mimic the relief and tactility that makes embossing an attractive presence.

However, most embossing is carried out through the use of engraved dies (in male and female formats) that press (force) the paper from the front or back into shape.

The process is more effective on carton board than it is on paper and produces a cleaner edge to each design or letter of type that is transferred.

Embossing is a popular form of application for mandatory braille that is used on pharmaceutical product packaging to assist sight impaired citizens in identifying their medication. In these instances adding a further embossed verification decal simultaneously is a no-cost benefit.

TYPES OF EMBOSSING

There are different types of embossing process depending on the particular effect, image or design required and whether the embossing requires to be registered to prior letterpress, litho, flexo, screen or digital printing, or to hot or cold foiling. These different types of embossing process are summarized in Figure 7.2 and under the subsequent sub-headings:

Blind embossing. A blind emboss is embossing which has not been stamped over or registered with a printed image or with a foil. The color of the blind embossed image is the same as the color of the substrate surface. It can also be called a self-emboss or same color embossing.

Quite simply, by creating a raised area using a die, blind embossing is able to create a subtle paper colored image that can be felt as well as seen, offering both visual and tactile appeal. It is especially effective when a subtly elegant, three dimensional image is desired.

Different label materials, such as paper, film and foil, create different effects. So embossing can be a versatile option for creating a standout label.

Debossing. In this process, the substrate surface is depressed instead of raised as in conventional embossing.

De-bossing uses the same techniques as embossing to create the necessary indentation, except that the process involves the application of pressure to the face side of the substrate, forcing the material downwards into the female die so as to create the recessed profile. This can be as emphatic or delicate as the graphics or words dictate, and careful choice of substrate (avoiding bright whites and very smooth materials) will undoubtedly enhance the effect.

Registered embossing. Registration of one or more printed colors across the embossed area enhances the process further and makes it even more difficult to copy, replicate or scan.

Therefore embossing and registered print are seen as a basic defense against counterfeit attack and can be widely observed in use on the labels and cartons of wines and spirits seen on the shelves in supermarkets, liquor stores, duty free shops at airports and in bars worldwide.

Combination embossing. Taken a step further, the addition of a hot or cold stamping foil in register with the embossed image is an effective method of deterring counterfeit attacks since the foil is impossible to replicate through copier attacks and scanning.

Combining the embossing with the foil means that any replication attempts that use a traditional print approach require the skills and the tooling to enable the attack to succeed.

The process of foil stamping (Figure 7.6) can be carried out either off-line (usual in sheet fed applications) or on-line (reel fed processes). In on-line applications this requires a special foiling station to be installed on the press that works in combination with the other printing and die-cutting units.

Tint embossing. A relatively new method of embossing in which pearl or pastel foil is used in the embossing process. The methodology is the same as other types of embossing but the technique has become increasingly in demand. For tint embossing it is generally best to use white stock because pearl and pastel foils are transparent.

Micro embossing. This is where the effect is achieved with minimal depth but using intricate and complex designs. The process has become increasingly attractive in security applications such as event ticketing, anti-counterfeiting and legal documents. Indeed, embossing may be used for a wide range of security purposes.

Embossed seals or symbols of authenticity add security features to labels, government forms, legal documents, and corporate papers. Having said that, security embossing today is perhaps considered as an older form of document or label security, as more alternatives in analogue and digital print processes, origination and pre-press, foiling, etc., continue to be developed.

Glazing. This refers to a polished emboss. Glazing is a popular technique used on dark colored stock. The heat and the pressure when pressing the die are increased substantially. This adds shine to the surface. If a very high temperature is used, light color papers can be scorched to change the paper color. This provides for great contrasting designs if done properly.

As can be seen from the above summaries, there are many types of embossing to choose from depending on the embossing design created, the nature and type of substrate being used, the embossing effect required, whether the embossing is blind and raised or de-bossed and recessed, whether it is registered to prior printing or foiling.

A further embossing variation is die stamping, a method of printing and embossing the image using the same engraved steel or copper die. In this process, flatbed male and female dies are mounted in the same way as normal embossing dies and placed in a die-stamping press.

This press usually has a letterpress roller inking system which deposits a film of ink onto the surface of the female die. The substrate to be die stamped is positioned between the two dies which are then pressed together under extreme pressure leaving a printed and embossed raised image.

COMPOSITION OF FOILS USED IN PRODUCT PROTECTION APPLICATIONS

Most stamping foils are comprised of five layers. The top layer (furthest away from the print substrate) is a polyester based film carrier. Under this top layer is a thin film of release coat which allows the release of the foil from its carrier when it is impacted by the die. Next is a lacquer or color coat that carries a pigment that gives the foil its color. This layer is transparent or translucent and provides color which can be matched to a specific shade if required.

The forth layer is the metal coat which is generally formed from metalized aluminum and this provides the reflective qualities and opacity required to prevent see-through from the material below. The final layer is an adhesive coat that provides the bond between the foil and the substrate.

HOLOGRAPHIC FOILS

Holograms have found a useful application in securing print against unwanted copying and counterfeiting activity since the early 1980’s.

This is because holograms are a very useful overt recognition technology that can be adapted to each customer’s individual requirements.

The process has progressed over the years through simple 2D/3D designs which can be viewed as ‘entry’ level through to highly complex and counterfeit resistant designs that are continually evolving to combat the developing skills of the counterfeiter.

It needs to be recognised that security in print never stands still and is in continual competition with those who wish to compromise security devices and substrates.

Whilst there were only a handful of companies capable of producing holograms initially, this figure has grown to many hundreds today as universities and the growth of packaging and labeling in China and India drive the demand for holograms as a decorative feature as well as a security device.

Holographic products today can be separated into two distinct types, diffractive embossed optically variable image devices (DOVID’s Figure 7.7) and photopolymer filmic based technology.

Photopolymer (reflection) holograms are manufactured from photographic type film and were indeed the first forms of holography developed.

However, these early filmic devices were considered unsuitable for use in security printing applications because they were film based and needed to be coated with self-adhesives in order that they could be affixed to paper and board.

The process progressed further with the introduction of embossed holography which was more adaptable and could be applied in the same way as a traditional stamping foil.

Since the printing industry was more familiar with this type of application technology and photopolymer holograms at that time were considered unsuitable for anything other than artistic purposes, DOVID’s became the choice of many users who were faced with the challenge of protecting their labels and cartons from un-authorized coping and tampering.

Holography in embossed format relies upon the complex use of lasers and mirrors and lenses to record an image. Such images need to be originated just as conventional print requires origination too. Various origination techniques exist and some are more secure than others.

Origination of embossed holography utilizes a sophisticated computer-driven system to create images in an embossing die that can be stepped and repeated to fit a narrow (or wide) web embossing machine.

Metalized foil (see above for foil structure) is passed through the embossing process (Figure 7.8 right) and the resultant finished multi-layered material is slit and delivered in rolls ready for application to labels and packaging using either off-line application processes or specialist in-line tooling (hot or cold foil blocking/transfer).

There are basically two types of holographic foil available to the designer, holographic patterned foil which offers a ‘wallpaper’ continuous repeating design (Figure 7.9) and bespoke registered holograms (Figure 7.11) which offer images that sit in isolation and must then be picked off the foil in registered with the print substrate.

Wallpaper or continuous type holograms are offered as stock items for separate foil application by the printer or already applied to paper and carton board for immediate conversion by those printers who do not already have a foiling capability. It should be noted that in ready applied form, holographic materials are have a total surface area of holographic coverage and this again limits their use mainly to decorative applications.

These continuous holographic stock products are not really secure and are often seen in applications such as toothpaste packaging and other personal care items such as shampoo and mouthwash.

The hologram’s main function here is to act as an eye catching design feature on the shop shelf rather than a security device.

It should be noted though such holograms are also available in stock foil format and can be used successfully used as a blocking foil in combination with a company logo die or as an embellishment to a blind embossing feature (Figure 7.10 right center of pack).

Bespoke registered holograms (Figure 7.11 Mercedes Benz illustration) are considered to be the most secure since they require the use of a registration mark in order that they are registered with the printing web and placed exactly in the same place on every piece of print produced.

This type of hologram requires careful design and accurate origination as it must be transported on the polyester carrier roll and placed exactly in position on a label or carton in order to provide conformity of product. Inexactly registered, or partially released holograms lead to uncertain authentication decisions later in the supply chain.

To prevent this from happening, each discrete hologram is produced with a corresponding registration mark aligned to its position on the carrier film. This registration mark is recognized by an optical read head placed on the foiling equipment and this automatically identifies the position of the hologram and activates the foiling head accordingly so the image is always placed in the correct position.

Such accuracy of production can only be obtained through the use of web inspection machinery similar to that used to control and identify print color registration on the press. Cameras are used to inspect each piece of foil, compare this with a pre-enrolled quality image and reject non-conforming product.

Just as traditional security print can be protected from copy attacks by sophisticated design elements such as guilloche patterns and complex color registration, security holograms can be protected from unauthorized duplication by a range of in-built security design features.

CLR (Covert Laser Readable) Image – This is an invisible embossed mark that can reflect an incoming narrow laser beam (as seen in laser pen pointing devices) and project a recognizable image from the CLR source onto another nearby surface. Such images may be simple designs such as a logo or OK symbol.

Concealed Images – These are images that can only be revealed when the embossed hologram is tilted towards or away from the viewer.

Combi-Hologram – As its name implies this is a combination of origination technologies from different sources that combine to create one difficult to replicate image.

Computer – synthetized 2D/3D – Embossed holography works through creating an image on a multi-planar surface similar to a reflector lens used in tail lights on automobiles. As the angle of view changes, light falling on the surface is diffracted giving the illusion of depth and movement.

Guilloche patterns – In similar way to guilloche patterns used in traditional print origination these design devices create a complex series of intricate waves and radiating lines that change color and width when viewed at different angles.

Kinetic Images (sometimes called Kinegrams® and Excelgrams®) – These images deliver parallax movement and bright dense color even when viewed at low levels of illumination. In more secure forms they are controlled and only seen on travel documents and banknotes. Tuned down versions that are suitable for brand protection are also available.

Microtexts and Nanotexts – These act in the same manner as their analogue printing cousins. However microtext and nanotext in holographic form can change color and deliver kinetic movement from behind or from above another object such as a guilloche screen or logo.

Stereograms – These are sophisticated, three dimensional holograms that combine a ‘live’ series of frames from a movie or moving model. Various views are shot and embedded in the origination providing an illusion of movement when the hologram is tilted or turned. Such images are impossible to replicate exactly since to achieve a satisfactory copy the counterfeiter needs access to the original movie or moving model.

Security holographic foils continue to develop in the face of constant challenge from counterfeiters. This is because holograms are one of the most popular, and secure forms of authentication and provide all of the attributes necessary for accurate authentication (overt, covert, forensic). Therefore as their use widens in the fields of currency and ID protection and product security there will continue to be advances in new features and manufacturing processes in order to preserve the integrity of such devices.

More recent developments in this field include:

Ultra-high resolution imaging – This kind of technology allows the creation of surface holograms with a resolution of up to 0.1 micrometers (254,000 dpi)

Introduction of ‘pure’ white and black to white color switch – Up until recently it was not possible to deliver a ‘pure’ white to an embossed hologram. White light is a combination of all the prime colors and difficult to reconstruct using refraction gratings (which is the basis of a DOVID). Color switching from white through to black and all the corresponding gray scales between these two extremes provides a resilient, observable security feature.

Custom pixels – Using ultra-high precision control, uniquely shaped pixels are micro-positioned to optimize the optical effect and provide an image that has a highly complex and recognizable forensic fingerprint.

Security can be further improved by the introduction of track and trace numbering which is carried out using laser ablation, thermal transfer or direct permanent ink jet.

This process creates an image comprising a series of characters and/or letters making up a code that can be used to identify each unique hologram in the same way that banknotes each carry an individual number to identify each individual banknote (Figure 7.12).

The benefit of this process is that all production from each batch of holograms can be accounted for and audited to ensure there are no duplications or over runs in existence.

Further information on serial numbering and barcode application to embossed holograms is available here.

One important point though: the more complex the hologram the more difficult it is (time required) to be authenticated if multi-level overt, covert and forensic layers are introduced.

Using a few high level features at primary level so that quick visual confirmation is achieved is preferable to multifaceted hidden devices that require different tools to confirm their presence.

All that is generally required for brand protection applications is one secondary system such as an encrypted barcode or laser activating (CLR) type images. If it is necessary to move to forensic approval then a taggant type approach where a molecular marker is incorporated in the body of the hologram adhesive layer is a practical solution. This latter step is only considered necessary for items of extreme value or for financial and identification systems.

TAMPER EVIDENCE AND DE-METALIZATION

There is a trend to incorporate holographic images into tamper evident labels, and this approach has merit when a carton or flexible bag needs to be sealed in a way that protects it from tampering and provides proof of first opening.

This is achieved by making the metalized holographic films frangible and introducing a tamper evident design into the adhesive layer (Figure 7.14) shows the effects of removal of a tamper evident holographic foil label).

When a permanent adhesive is used any attempt to remove the label results in an immediate deformation of the hologram and attempts to reseal the label will be evident. If edge cuts are placed around the circumference of the label these too act as an effective indicator of any previous un-authorized opening.

Security for embossed holographic foiled images can be further increased by selectively de-metalizing the foil after the embossing process has been completed. This is a process much used in currency protection and applies a further skilled operation to the foil making it more secure.

De-metalized holograms can be seen on the UK £20 banknotes and on Euro banknotes above €50. The process allows for a much more intricate blocking configuration than that produced from a patterned blocking die and crisp images of micro-lettering and intricate border decorations can achieved that push the boundaries of successful copy attacks.

The effects of de-metalization can be seen on the image (Figure 7.15) from Holoptica. Note that the transfer of the image from the carrier web is completed without the need for a special patterned blocking die.

SLEEVES, LIDDING FILMS, BLISTER PACKS AND TEAR TAPES

As a process, embossed holography is highly resourceful and has been applied to a variety of security tamper proof sealing technologies throughout the package goods market.

The technology can be seen in use on tear tapes for cigarette pack wrappers and in this form it provides a visual check of authenticity as well as a protection against pre-purchase opening and refilling of discarded packs.

In pharmaceutical packaging the use of holography on metalized blister packs provides similar protection by delivering a secure method of verifying that tablets or capsules within the blister container are real and in pristine condition.

Shrink sleeves are a further indication of the success of embossed metalized foils as they can be combined with the sophisticated shrink sleeves (Figure 7.16 shows how holography can be combined with the tamper evidence of a shrink sleeve) found in use on whisky, brandy and other high value spirit bottles.

Here they deliver a surety that a bottle has not been refilled, diluted or the product counterfeited.

Finally, when extended to the protection of heat seal lidding films, the process also provides similar protection to products carried in blow molded bottles and tubs such as lubricating oils, pharmaceutical tablets and other vulnerable products that require induction heat sealing.

In these instances it may be necessary to further barrier coat the film to ensure that cross contamination of the product is not an issue.

INTRODUCING HOLOGRAPHIC EMBOSSING DIRECTLY ONTO PACKAGING COMPONENTS; PLASTICS, FLEXIBLE FILMS AND METALS

In certain situations it is possible to emboss holographic images directly onto packaging components such as clear reflective plastic cases and flexible packaging films as well as metal containers that are coated in a receptive lacquer that is capable of taking a finely embossed image and diffracting the incoming light in such a way that image becomes kinetic.

The process of creating a holographic image in clear plastic (Figure 7.17) is achieved by creating a specially embossed shim inserted into the injection molding tooling die used to produce each plastic component. The high pressure required to inject the material into the die results in the holographic pattern being transferred to the component during the molding process.

A similar process is undertaken to deliver an embossed holographic design to metal cans and containers where a lacquering process is used to coat the base metal after it has been printed and the coating exposed to engraved metal dies that implant the holographic image into the material creating the desired decorative/security effect.

Finally, work has recently been undertaken that moves away from the need for embossing tools to create holographic effects on clear flexible packaging films.

The images produce vibrant colors and seemingly moving images which allow observers to quickly identify the authenticity of a product to which an optical marker is affixed.

The technology works by using nano-scale ‘hole’ structures - smaller than the wavelength of light - to capture ambient light using ultra high optical efficiency and high pixel density. When such technology is applied to flexible wrapping or laminating film a bright background holographic image is produced that can quickly identify the origin of the material as secure.

PHOTOPOLYMER HOLOGRAMS

Photopolymer holograms depend on reflectance rather than refraction, (which is the process that delivers kinetic color movement for embossed holographic images). Photopolymer holograms are created in a photosensitive emulsion that is coated onto film in a similar manner to traditional photographic processing.

Reflection holography offers true color reproduction and all round 3D viewing when the device is tilted. The reflection process depends on highly complex chemistry, origination tooling in the form of special lasers, skill in setting up the holographic ‘shoot’ and the design of a suitably functioning device.

One of the main benefits of reflection holography is that there are only a small number of companies equipped to supply it as a security technology and a very limited number of suppliers of the base film used to reproduce the holographic image, which is exposed and ‘printed’ into the light-sensitive film coating in the same manner as traditional photographic films were printed before digital cameras were introduced.

This means that each image is exposed to the origination material, which is held on a clear photographic plate that is illuminated by a number of laser beams, and reproduced in a step and repeat process.

This allows each image to be superimposed with a further computer generated ‘variable’ image such as a number or other variable data (Figure 7.20 shows a clear unique reference added to each photopolymer hologram during the run of the original film) that can be used to create unique references that are able to be identified later and traced back to the original piece of film.

In the illustration above the security process is enhanced further by the addition of QR code that carries the same reference as the hologram on the tamper evident label construction affixed to the bottle and also to the carton behind.

Since every image is in fact unique and offers a true three dimensional view from each direction (front, rear, left, right) it is possible to introduce features into the design that can only be viewed from the front, rear, left side or right side of the image. This is a powerful anti-counterfeiting and authentication feature that is not available in any other holographic process.

When combined with serialization the process offers the highest levels of print-based security that exist at the moment.

The photopolymer holographic label (Figure 7.21) shows how the process can be combined with high security printing operations to offer both tamper evidence and authentication protection to a very high value computer component carton.

SOURCING SECURITY HOLOGRAMS

Holograms can be regarded as one of the most popular methods of securing labels and packaging from the unwanted attention of lawbreakers who may wish to make monetary gain by copying or diverting a brand. As has been revealed in this chapter, holograms are also useful in securing product against tampering and refilling fraud and if they carry further identification features in the form of track & trace numbering they fulfil all the security elements needed to protect and identify non-conforming product from fakes and adulterated replicas.

Because of their undoubted success in this field, holograms themselves inevitably attract the attention of counterfeiters and the sheer number of suppliers of embossed holography worldwide means that fakers are able to source similar if not exact copies of metalized DOVIDs easily via the internet. Indeed, just Googling the term ‘security hologram suppliers’ reveals 340,000 listings!

Many of these listings, and probably 90 per cent of them, are suppliers and distributors of stock holographic decals and foils that carry various misleading messages such as ‘genuine’, ‘OK’, ‘authentic’ and the like. Since anyone can purchase materials from such sites and then use these to pass off fake product as genuine, bona-fide suppliers need to offer much more secure designs that identify the brand owner and the product, as well as providing a traceable identification number for further security.

If designed and produced competently, a genuine security hologram is easy to identify when compared to a fake device. This process may not be so easy for the public to initially comprehend, but counterfeit holograms can be recognized straightforwardly by inspection teams that have been trained in distinguishing fake from real through just a few well-chosen identification features.

Note: To make the process of identifying fake holographic film suppliers easier for the industry, a register of bespoke security hologram designs was created in 1994 and this is policed by the members of the International Hologram Manufacturers Association (IHMA).

Members of this association are pledged to check with the register before taking on any new work to establish if the design they are being asked to produce already exists.

The register can’t 'police' the activities of non-members, but over the years it has contributed to the detection of copied holograms and even to the apprehension and prosecution of the criminals behind them.

Therefore there is a responsibility for everyone involved in this area of security packaging and labeling to ensure that they supply or purchase from bona-fide, trusted sources and they carry out due diligence before they enter into new supply arrangements.

If you are a packaging supplier or holographic foil manufacturer this means checking that a brand owner is who he says he is before proceeding.

Cases where criminals pose as recognized brand owners, wishing to purchase ‘genuine’ packaging and labeling supplies, for use in counterfeit scams are regularly being uncovered, so it’s not just a case of caveat emptor or buyer beware – it’s ‘supplier beware’ too.

Intro section

Qualities such as uniqueness, application of skilled technology and processes together with other barriers such as high investment in plant and equipment and proprietary processes, are all obstacles to counterfeiters who may wish to copy or replicate labels and packing in an attempt to fool consumers into purchasing fake products.

Other attributes such as the introduction of hidden anti-scan features and stealthy forensic markers are also representations of technology that may be used to identify bogus goods through their packaging and markings.

Migrate nid

89679

Migrate path

/label-academy/article/foiling-embossing-and-2d-3d-holographic-solutions

Article main topic

Finishing & embellishment

Article slug

/label-academy/article/foiling-embossing-and-2d-3d-holographic-solutions

Label application troubleshooting tips and guidelines

Feedimporter — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 10:33:00 +0000

Posted date

5 years 10 months ago

Publication type

Chapter

Randomize

Off

Featured article

Short title

Label application troubleshooting tips and guidelines

Short summary

Identifying label application problem areas and the effect on the label applicator system

Teaser image

Display section

Post-press

Chapter section

Information provided by Catchpoint indicates that almost half of pressure-sensitive quality faults resulting in packaging line downtime are related to the laminate converting process, particularly with Glassine or Kraft liners. Percentage figures for these quality faults are:

Die strike 12.2 percent

Missing labels 7.8 percent

Silicone voids in the liner 5.2 percent

Edge nicks 4.8 percent

Incorrect winding tension 4.4 percent

Bursts through substrate 3.9 percent

Label stuck onto back of liner 3.5 percent

Matrix waste not removed 3.5 percent

Inclusions in the liner 2.6 percent

Total 47.9 percent

The percentages above will obviously vary between different label application and packaging production lines, as well as over time. The critical end user question is what effect do these and other issues have on labeling production and on label line downtime?

We now examine each of these problem areas and their effects on the label applicator system.

LABEL CUSTOMER AND LABEL USAGE CONSIDERATIONS

To minimize potential application problems, it is important that the label converter obtains in advance as much relevant information from the label-user customer as possible. In particular the converter will ideally need to know:

The type of container or product that the label is to be adhered to – glass bottle, plastic bottle, paperboard carton, metal surface, tube, flexible pack, etc. Is it rigid, flexible, squeezable? Any of these can have an impact on the label face material or adhesive to be used

Is the surface being labeled rough or smooth? Rough surfaces may need a thicker or more aggressive adhesive on the label

The size and shape of the container – small, large, round, square or rectangular, contoured, indented, curved, etc. Again, important in relation to the label adhesive or face material being used

If the product to be labeled is curved, what is the curvature of the surface – the greater the curvature, the higher the adhesive tack needed to hold the label in position.

If the surface being labeled is plastic, what type of plastic? Are there any plasticizers likely to be present? Some adhesives and plastics ‘disagree’ with each other and this can deteriorate certain adhesives and cause labels to lift or fall off

Is the label to be permanent or removable? Different adhesive requirements

Where will the labels be stored and for how long before they are applied? What are the storage conditions?

Are the labels being hand or automatically applied? Containers that have been handled with bare hands might lead to labels failing

Is the surface to be labeled clean, dry (or wet) and free of debris, oil, cleaning or processing solvents or chemicals? Surface contaminations may lead to adhesion problems

What are the conditions at the point of application? Is the application environment cold, frosty, humid, damp, variable – which can mean that the label adhesive will not properly adhere to the container or surface being labeled

Are containers, labels and container contents all roughly at the same temperature at the point of application? If not, this again may give an inconsistent label performance

What happens to the labeled container or product immediately after the labels have been applied? Are they refrigerated? Are they filled after application? How are they handled and stored? What is the product distribution process? All of these may have an impact on label performance.

PRESSURE-SENSITIVE MATERIAL SPECIFICATION

Pressure-sensitive labels are a sandwich construction consisting of different layers:

The label face material itself, which may be paper, plastic, foil, or other material

The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer

A silicone release coating on a backing paper or film that is used to prevent the adhesive sticking to itself or the face material in the reel and during handling.

In general, the application of pressure-sensitive labels tends to be a simpler operation than that for wet-glue applied labels. Apart from accurate positioning, most of the problems that arise with pressure-sensitive labels are due to factors such as the incorrect matching of the label material to the specific end-use requirement, defective converting operations or bad storage, rather than the label applicator or label application process.

For this reason, some of the more important properties of the adhesives and face materials, as well as the conversion operation, are outlined in the following pages.

Pressure-sensitive adhesives. Adhesives used for the production of pressure-sensitive labels are available in a wide range of types that can be used to label almost any kind of product or surface – dry, wet, frozen, glass, plastic, paper, rough, smooth, absorbent, rigid, flexible, stretchable or squeezable, and in different conditions.

Although there are general purpose adhesives that can be satisfactorily used to label a wide range of products and in various application requirements, it is important that the label converter is able to match the adhesive to the specific end-use application if labeling problems, either during, or post application, are to be minimized or avoided altogether.

That is why some or all of the questions set-out in the ‘Label customer and label usage considerations’ section on the previous page are discussed and agreed between the converter and the user in advance of proceeding with the order.

Pressure-sensitive face materials. A wide range of papers, plastics, metallic foils, metallized and other face materials are used for the production of pressure-sensitive labels. Face material surfaces may be coated or uncoated and, during production may also be printed, varnished, over-laminated, embossed, etc. With the enormous range of face materials, as well as the printing and converting stages, the selection of face material will be based on a compromise between chemical and physical properties, economic considerations and manufacturing possibilities.

It should be recognized that the individual components of a label are not independent in their action. A change in, for example, the thickness or stiffness of the label stock can produce large variations in the properties of the pressure-sensitive layer. It is as well to bear in mind that properties such as peel adhesion or tack are properties of the whole label and not of the adhesion alone.

Factors important to successful dispensing and application of label face materials include the stiffness of the material, or its thinness and flexibility.

These will be discussed later in terms of problems that may occur on the applicator itself.

Pressure-sensitive silicone coating. A problem that may be found with siliconized liners is that of silicone voids – small spots where there is no silicone, which in turn allows the adhesive to bleed into the liner fibres. When this occurs it is a laminator issue which is impossible to detect during label printing and converting. The cause is usually dust during the silicone coating process.

Silicone voids can create a diagonal tear in in the liner at the dispensing beak where the liner is being stressed, causing the applicator to stop. Voids will not break a PET liner, only possibly have an impact on labeling accuracy.

PROBLEMS THAT MAY ARISE FROM THE LABEL CONVERTING PROCESS

Label stock is usually supplied to the converter in the form of reels of pressure-sensitive laminate which will then be printed and die-cut to shape and size in one in-line operation. The printing and the ink drying/curing operations are done on roll-label presses, using standard flexographic, offset, letterpress, screen processes – or combinations of these processes – as well as the latest electrophotographic or inkjet technologies.

Some of the most common converting problems that may arise and impact on the labeling line and label application include:

Die Strike. The most critical operation in terms of successful label application is die-cutting, in which the die must cut cleanly through the label face material and pierce the adhesive layer, but must on no account be clearly marked in the release coating and the liner – particularly with a Glassine or Kraft web – and should certainly not cut into or through the backing release liner.

Die-cutting is an operation that requires fine control which needs the laminate and, in particular, the release liner backing material to be of a constant thickness.

Intro section

While millions of pressure-sensitive labels are satisfactorily applied to all kinds of products and shapes each year there are nevertheless occasions when things go wrong: they may not dispense properly from the liner, or start to dispense in the wrong place. There may be a web break, labels may not adhere properly to a surface or shape, the labels may wrinkle or form ridges, or a label might tear or bulge. Other problems might include the label peeling, curling or lifting at the edge; even falling off.

In general, when application problems do occur these may be related to one or more of the following:

Label customer and label usage point of application issues, including label handling, reel change downtime and storage
The nature and type of pressure-sensitive material (face, adhesive or liner) being used
The label converting process, particularly die-cutting, missing labels, edge nicks, matrix waste not removed, incorrect rewinding tension, handling, storage and shipping
Problems on the applicator

Migrate nid

89648

Migrate path

/label-academy/article/label-application-troubleshooting-tips-and-guidelines

Article main topic

Brand owners & design

Article slug

/label-academy/article/label-application-troubleshooting-tips-and-guidelines

Linerless labels and their application

Feedimporter — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 10:13:00 +0000

Posted date

5 years 10 months ago

Publication type

Chapter

Randomize

Off

Featured article

Short title

Linerless labels and their application

Short summary

Linerless labels contribute to environmental sustainability, increase production capacity, reduce applicator downtime, decrease inventory space and enable the label user to cut out the stages of liner waste collection and disposal

Teaser image

Overprinting, coding and marking on label applicators

Feedimporter — Wed, 25 Nov 2020 09:42:00 +0000

Posted date

5 years 10 months ago

Publication type

Chapter

Randomize

Off

Featured article

Short title

Overprinting, coding and marking on label applicators

Short summary

Exploring the wide range of needs to add last minute product or shipping information

Teaser image

Display section

Post-press

Chapter section

The inclusion of a thermal, hot-foil, inkjet or laser printer with a label applicator head creates a labeling system that can electronically or mechanically add overprinting, coding or marking information on-demand to a pre-printed or blank label, or generate an entire unique printed label run at the point of application.

Such facilities are most often used to print barcodes, batch codes, lot numbers, time or date stamps, price and weight details, and tracking and trace information. The print and apply principle is also used widely to add unique labels to shrink wrapped traded units, chemical drums and complete loaded pallets of products, together with a whole range of turnkey applicators designed and built for specific industries or end-use applications.

HAND HELD PRINTER LABELERS

Hand held labelers with the capability of mechanically coding/printing one, two or three lines of information before applying the label are used by high street retailers, factory outlets, department stores and cash and carrys around the world for their daily price and seasonal price marking requirements, 'sell-by' or 'use-by' data, egg box labeling, simple coding, dating and batch labeling needs.

They are also found in many different industrial and manufacturing applications for SKU control, department identification, product identification, inspection, test and ISO 9001 : 2000 accreditation, coding and batch numbering operations found on production lines, in laboratory research applications or for basic job processing and sequential numbering requirements.

Another key area of application for hand-held printer labelers (See Figure 6.1) can be found in the field of distribution and shipping, warehousing, storage, packing and logistics management and control.

Durable machines and labels are also available for use in outdoor applications, such as garden centers and DIY. Virtually any retail, manufacturing or packing operation can benefit from the versatility of these simple to operate machines.

Depending on the manufacturer or supplier, and on the particular end-use application, hand labelers of this kind with print capabilities may also be known as pricing guns, label guns, labeling guns, coding guns or sequential number labeling guns (sometimes also called numbelers).

There are many different hand labelers on the market capable of adding some level of ink coding and printing. The most widely available are:

One-line label guns. These are usually capable of printing between 6 and 10 alphanumeric characters/digits in a single line on plain or pre-printed labels. One line labeling guns are ideal for the retail trade or simple coding, dating and batch labeling needs. Also used for batch numbering.

Two-line label guns. These can print two rows of up to 10 alphanumeric characters each (20 characters/digits in total) onto labels, again either using plain or pre-printed labels.

Three-line label guns. These print up to three lines of data on a plain or pre-printed label. The amount of data that can be communicated (up to 14 characters per line) allows for extremely cost-effective and complex bulk labeling solutions. Three-line labeling guns are ideal for production control and quality control purposes.

By combining, for example, three ten digit bands with up to 40 characters, the quantity of information that can be conveyed is enormous.

Alternatively, customers can have 'data bands' installed with pre-defined specific names, such as location, date or production line codes.

Sequential number labeling guns. These are much like normal labeling guns but each time the handle is squeezed the next number in the sequence is printed. A dial enables the desired print to be achieved, from a simple date to an alphanumeric part number. They typically print from 0 to 9999, and may also have a number of fixed characters.

The information that can be printed on hand labelers is dependent upon the print head bands, which can have a range of pre-set characters. Inking of the alphanumeric or numeric characters is achieved with either inking rollers or pads. A range of ink colors are available. The ink rollers and pads are easily replaced when the print quality starts to deteriorate.

Hand-held labelers with print capabilities are easy to operate and users become proficient within minutes. A simple dial enables the desired print to be achieved from a date to an alpha numeric number. Each time the handle is squeezed the next label in the sequence is printed, dispensed and applied. They are normally very robust and require minimal maintenance.

PRINT APPLY LABEL APPLICATORS

Print and apply label applicators incorporate a printer and software to print or overprint labels on demand with details that may include a batch number, production date, contents, weight, price and transit data as well as simple graphics for product branding.

Print and dispense or print and apply labels are widely used by retailers to print weight and price information at or near the point of sale onto products as diverse as meat, fresh fruit and vegetables and other products not pre-packed prior to arriving in the supermarket. Often the labels will include a bar code which will be scanned at the supermarket check-out.

Print and apply labeling equipment is also commonly found in warehousing and distribution to provide delivery, batch and other transit information which can be used to track, trace and confirm that the product has arrived where it should, on the correct date and in the right quantity.

These labels may be printed directly on to the outer transit container or onto a label which is then applied to the transit container. Information can be printed in both standard type and as a bar code.

On-demand print and apply labelers, also called 1-to-1 labelers, apply the label that has just been printed. The print engine and print head are right at the dispensing edge. These machines – whether semi-automatic or fully automatic – are used for applications where label data changes regularly, such as in distribution/logistics operations, sandwich pack labels, pharmaceutical/clinical trials applications, pallet labeling, or anywhere where products arrive in a random or non-linear order or need time and date marking for tracking purposes.

Print heads used with print and apply label applicators are typically thermal transfer with thermal ribbons suited to the label substrate, print surface or end-use application.

There are also batch print and apply labelers that feature a thermal transfer print engine located away from the dispense edge, so that the two tasks can work independently. In this case, labels are printed into a tension controlled loop, giving opportunities for high-speed direct wipe-on application which is not limited by the speed of the printing. Typical batch applications include bakeries and other fresh food labeling, outer case labeling, and price and promotional labeling.

Tracking labels may also be applied at the beginning of a manufacturing cycle, for example when tracking a complex engineered component through a fully automated machining and inspection system.

PRINTER SOFTWARE

To fully utilize print and apply label applicators, it is necessary to either transmit data to them or to create at the printer a label format and content file so that the labels can be printed with the required information and quantity.

A number of label design software packages are available, such as BarTender, LabelView or NiceLabel, which can send label information directly to the printer. This usually involves using the software’s printer driver to convert the data into a format that the printer understands.

Another common approach is to design a label file that is formatted in the programing language of the printer and send it straight to the label printer, with no label software involved. This is often used in large enterprises, where the company’s ERP software is set up to send a formatted file to the label printer when a label is required.

Each printer manufacturer has its own proprietary programing language. By virtue of having the largest market share in barcode printers, Zebra’s ZPL programing language has become very much a standard for developing label files. The other printer manufacturers have their own programing languages: DLP for Datamax and IPL (Fingerprint) for Intermec are just two examples.

For end users, getting locked into the language of one printer company makes it hard to switch brands: the aggravation of reformatting a whole lot of label files can be too much.

To try and overcome this, label print engine companies have developed emulation firmware allowing their product to work with label files designed for other brands of printer. This enables a user to send, for example, a Datamax DPL file to a Zebra printer. The printer software will then convert this to compatible Zebra language and produce the correct label.

PRINT ENGINES

A number of print technologies can be added to applicator lines to provide last-minute text, codes, date information, pricing, weight, volume, graphics or personalization. The print technology used depends on:

Label size and dimensions

Print quality

Amount of type or data to be printed

Size of print characters – very small/large

Bar codes required

Printing speed to match line speed

Type of applicator

The size, dimensions and label positioning on the product being labeled

Ease of set-up and changeover

End-usage conditions - hot, cold, outdoor, product resistance, etc.

All these factors will need to be taken into account when deciding on the most appropriate print technology. It should also be remembered that print heads and items like thermal papers, hot foils, thermal ribbons, inkjet cartridges and inks are consumable items that need to be changed or regularly purchased.

Simply neglecting to clean a print head can potentially halve its life and therefore add to print OEM print engines used on label application lines engine running costs.

The range of available OEM print engine technologies are shown in Figure 6.2.

Thermal direct uses a heat-sensitive, chemically coated label substrate into which the print images are ‘burned’ at standard printer temperature and pressure settings. Heating of the thermal material is with a print head consisting of many miniature heating elements distributed along its printing width, which turns the image areas dark to create the required printed label (See Figure 6.3).

The elements are selectively heated by pulses of energy which create points or dots of black (other colors are possible with appropriate paper) in the thermal coating, and these dots create the image held in the computer memory.

Direct thermally printed images can be variable text, bar codes, or diagrams used for frozen or fresh food labels in supermarkets, industrial bar-coded labels and tags. It may also be called chemi-thermal material.

Thermally coated substrates are of course heat sensitive, so cannot be used for applications where the label may be exposed to sun, heat or abrasion. However, there are thermally coated substrates with different reaction temperatures that can be used to minimize or overcome some types of heat sensitivity issues.

Thermal transfer printing is a very similar indirect printing process to direct thermal printing, where a heat sensitive ribbon replaces the heat sensitive thermal paper. Very smooth and receptive conventional paper, or a suitable film, is printed by means of an electronically-controlled printing head which transfers variable data – including bar codes – to the label, ticket or tag face material via a heat-sensitive printer ribbon placed between the printing head and the face material.

The thermal transfer printing head (Figure 6.4) makes use of very small resistors or elements which are arranged across the printing width, which are selectively heated and cooled. The heated elements come into contact with a thin film one-pass ribbon, which carries a heat-activated ink or coating on the underside.

By rapidly heating and cooling the resistor dots on the print-head, the required character or image is created and so transfers the selected heat-activated ink coating from the film carrier to the substrate according to the pattern or shape of the heated elements.

Thermal transfer printing is used for printing variable batch codes, date codes, sequential numbers, text, diagrams and bar codes onto pallet, carton or box end labels. Typical end uses are for warehousing and distribution, bakery labels, DIY, industrial labeling, and for a variety of tickets and tags.

Thermal inkjet printers make use of electrically heated cartridges. Each cartridge contains a series of tiny chambers, each containing a heater.

When the ink is heated by a pulse of current passing through the heating element, a bubble is formed, causing a large pressure increase and propelling a tiny drop of ink onto the label substrate. Once the droplet has been ejected the bubble in the chamber collapses, the chamber refills and the whole process repeats.

The technology offers high resolution coding for the food, beverage, tobacco and cosmetics industries and may be found in intermittent or low volume production as well as higher speed coding.

Hot foil printing is a dry printing process which uses very thin aluminum foil in a variety of metallic colors – such as gold, silver, red or blue – rather than inks from which to print. Hot foil printing is achieved by transferring the colored metallic pigment coating from a ribbon of plastic material known as the ‘carrier’ onto the surface of the label material using a hard printing plate which bears the image to be hot-foiled.

The transfer is achieved through the application of heat, pressure, and the length of time the heated coating area is in contact with the substrate – known as the dwell time.

The balance and control of these elements is critical and must be individually calculated for the surface to be printed, and the type of ribbon or foil used. In particular, accurate pressure setting is vital. Too high a pressure may lead to line downtime with glassine liners.

The hot foil process uses relatively simple equipment and can print on a wide range of surfaces. On-line hot foil coders are used to code expiry dates, product identification information, lot and batch numbers, or may be used to provide a luxury (metallic) look on many cosmetics, toiletries, health and beauty labels, on wines and spirits labels and in other higher added-value label applications.

Hot-melt drop-on-demand inkjet uses solid, wax resin-based hot-melt ink blocks that are instantly touch dry after printing. The ink blocks are solid at room temperature (and can be picked-up and handled) and are melted internally by the system as required for printing. The ink, now in liquid form, is expelled from the nozzle by piezoelectric technology. The ink solidifies and hardens immediately on contact with the label substrate.

Drop-on-demand inkjet printing ejects ink droplets from a nozzle to the substrate on an ‘as needed’ basis, instead of a ‘continuous’ basis, eliminating the need for an ink recirculation system. DOD print heads are made up of many nozzles, each capable of emitting up to 30,000 finely controlled droplets per second.

The technology provides high quality and high speed digital printing of variable data, serialization, traceability and offers fast job changeover. It is found in applications including confectionery, frozen foods, dairy, personal care and pharmaceuticals.

Laser technology is used for high-speed printing of large coding areas and can be found in the food, beverage, cosmetics, toiletries and pharmaceutical sectors. Laser printers (see Figure 6.7 for an example) print image characters using a laser and a photosensitive metal drum.

The laser imprints the image on to the drum, changing the electrical charge. Toner then adheres to the charged areas on the drum and is then transferred to the label material.

Laser printers require larger cartridges as well as the printing drum and are therefore typically larger that inkjet printers – and require more space.

INVESTMENT DECISION

Before investing in a label applicator print technology, a total cost of ownership study should be undertaken, including consumable inks, ribbons and spare parts along with an assessment of the label substrate/media. Using cheap label materials can reduce the life of print heads, for example.

The quality of the overprint information should also match the quality of the pre-printed label, while the accuracy, quality and readability of bar codes is essential and needs to be carefully evaluated before investment takes place.

If budgets are determined in separate locations, the total applied print cost and code readability evaluation may often be missed. Failure of bar code readability at the point of sale can certainly be very expensive.

Developments in print technologies are continually taking place and it is essential that application machine producers and end-users keep abreast of new technology developments.

WEIGH PRICE LABELING

Weigh Price Labeling systems are used in grocery store backrooms for the labeling of fresh meat, poultry, fruits, and vegetables, prepared meals, convenience foods, fish and cheese. Flexibility, speed and reliability are all critical factors in selecting a labeling system.

Packers and importers of foodstuffs must ensure that packaged goods are labeled with the quantity. Key requirements are that information printed must be visible, accurate, easy to read and understand; be labeled in the same field of vision as the name of the food; not be misleading; and not be able to be damaged.

The rules on quantity labeling of pre-packaged foods changed in Europe in December 2014. Businesses now have to comply with the requirements of the EU Regulation on the Provision of Food Information to Consumers (1169/2011).

This states that all packaged foods of 5gm or 5ml or more are required to comply with FIC and that the packages must display;

The net quantity (in g, kg, ml or l) directly on the package or attached label

Drained net weight and net weight for foods packed in a liquid medium.

As with the print and apply systems already discussed, weigh price labeling equipment comes in a range of manual, semi-automatic, fully automatic systems. Standard thermal label printing solutions are used.

Typically, weigh price labeling applications require input and data from an in-motion checkweigher to populate the labels with the correct information, weight and lot number. Usually, weigh price labeling is located toward the end of production line operations.

Apart from incorporating a printhead and a weighscale interface, weigh price labeling systems are commonly supplied with a touchscreen controller to control the weighing and labeling operations. The latest generation of open architecture equipment can also collect real time data on packaging line productivity and status of customer orders.

The more sophisticated weigh price application machines have systems able to recognize different cuts of meat, for example. Differential prices per kilo are calculated and five or six applicators place printed labels onto different height packs.

Intro section

Label imprinting is pretty much a standard option for today’s applicator technology and can be regarded as a key driver of pressure-sensitive labeling. A wide range of label users need to add some kind of last minute product or shipping information, and there are various ways that this can be done, depending on whether the labeler is hand-held, semi-automatic or automatic - or even on or over a conveyor or other handling system.

With hand-held labelers the requirement will be for a relatively simple, lightweight, mechanical printing unit with an inking roller or pad that can print up to three lines of limited information immediately prior to dispensing and applying the label.

Migrate nid

89645

Migrate path

/label-academy/article/overprinting-coding-and-marking-label-applicators

Article main topic

Finishing & embellishment

Article slug

/label-academy/article/overprinting-coding-and-marking-label-applicators

Integrated and 'intelligent' label application lines

Feedimporter — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 16:29:00 +0000

Posted date

5 years 10 months ago

Publication type

Chapter

Randomize

Off

Featured article

Short title

Integrated and 'intelligent' label application lines

Short summary

Exploring common product handling devices and controls used with automated label applicators in a wide range of end-use applications

Teaser image

Automating the labeling line

Feedimporter — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 16:12:00 +0000

Posted date

5 years 10 months ago

Publication type

Chapter

Randomize

Off

Featured article

Short title

Automating the labeling line

Short summary

The dispensing and application of pressure-sensitive labels can be undertaken on many different types of labeling machines

Teaser image

Display section

Post-press

Chapter section

Machines can be supplied as stand-alone units, integrated into existing production lines or installed as fully automated systems incorporating product handling, conveying and finishing units.

Note however, the difference between adding applicators to existing product handling systems and the high level of sophistication and investment in fully integrated labeling machines where the machine supplier takes full control of the customer’s container or package.

In all these cases, the basic principles remain the same. The pressure-sensitive label applicator will unwind and advance the label stock over the beak or stripper plate until a portion of the label dispenses and extends into the path of the oncoming product or package.

As this portion engages the item to be labeled, the label advances at the same speed as the web and is pressed, wiped, tamped or blown onto the product to provide the necessary adhesion. These stages can be seen in Figure 4.1.

Touch screen interfaces play an increasingly important role in industrial labeling automation, because of their inherently robust nature and ability to cope with the harsh world of manufacturing.

Microcontrollers. Touch screen and touch sensing devices are supported by microcontrollers or microprocessors, together with appropriate touch screen software. Touch screen controller solutions make interfacing the touch panel to the system electronics a simple integration issue.

Micro switches. Micro switches are a key element in today’s electronic automation and are used in a variety of industrial automation applications.

Stepper motor. A stepper motor is an electromagnetic device that divides a full rotation into a number of equal steps – converting digital pulses into mechanical shaft rotation. The position of the motor can be commanded to move and hold position at one of these steps. No feedback sensor is required as long as the motor or servo motors are carefully sized to the application.

The stepping motor automates the label dispensing operation and controls the speed at which labels are dispensed for application, Label and product sensing and control (Figure 4.5). To ensure that labels are applied accurately and consistently, the semi-automatic or fully automatic pressure-sensitive label applicator is fitted with various label sensing or product sensing/tracing control devices.

Sensors range from photocells with reflector mirrors, to transmitter/receivers, proximity switches, spot or color readers or, for certain applications, micro-switches.

Label sensors are usually photoelectric sensors because they are relatively inexpensive. They cannot be used with clear labels, however, in which case capacitive and ultrasonic sensor technologies are used.

Label sensing/tracing devices monitor the gap between the individual die-cut labels and interrupt the web feed at the end of each label. This resets the system to receive the next start signal from the product tracing devices, which include micro-switches, photocells or spot color readers. Other controls on the web may be used to detect end of the reel (Figure 4.6 left diagram), detect missing labels (Figure 4.6 right), or web breaks.

With many applicator systems the product or container trigger the application of the label through the use of product sensing/tracing/control devices. Product position sensors can be optical, optoelectrical (Figure 4.7) or ultrasonic. UV sensors may be used for ‘invisible’ sensing.

Using these various types of sensors, the application system will automatically compensate for erratic or irregular product flow and only dispense a label as required.

For semi-automatic applications foot switches may be used.

Dancer arm. As the label is threaded through the applicator from the unwind reel it will typically pass around a dancer arm, a self-braking system that is able to slow the unwind reel as demand for the label decreases and so prevent the unwind reel from spinning and unwinding all the labels from the core. When label demand increases the dancer arm again enables the free flow of labels.

Touch screen interfaces play an increasingly important role in industrial labeling automation, because of their inherently robust nature and ability to cope with the harsh world of manufacturing.

Micro switches. Micro switches are a key element in today’s electronic automation and are used in a variety of industrial automation applications.

Very high-speed labeling lines with heavy reels may incorporate powered unwinds to improve tension control of the web feed.

Limit switch/photodetector. A limit switch or photodetector is used to trigger label advancement. It detects the absence or presence of a label to facilitate dispensing. Limit switches are the original method of label detection and can be used for most types of label application.

Photo-detectors use a beam of light broken by the label as it passes between or over the sensors.

Operator alarm system. Operator alarms are common in high-volume and high-speed applicators. There may be visual/optical (flashing lights as shown in Figure 4.9), audio/acoustic (bell, hooter), or a combination of both. They are used as an alert or warning of a web break, missing label, end of the unwind reel, or - with a verifier or scanner - to notify poor bar code readability. Safety guards or optical screens may also be used.

An alarm alerting the operator to the end of the unwind reel can be included. In some cases the alarm system may also trigger a shutdown of the machine or the product handling line.

Then what are the volume requirements? Light duty, manual handling application? One, two or more sides to be labeled? A large volume, fully-automated application? High-speed requirements? Integrated into conveyor or product handling lines?

Questions need to be asked about service call-out times, telephone support, and on-line breakdown evaluation. These factors are all vital in assessing what equipment to install.

Ideally, end users should provide samples of the potential products to be labeled before making a final machine purchasing decision.

Very high-speed labeling lines with heavy reels may incorporate powered unwinds to improve tension control of the web feed.

Photo-detectors use a beam of light broken by the label as it passes between or over the sensors.

An alarm alerting the operator to the end of the unwind reel can be included. In some cases the alarm system may also trigger a shutdown of the machine or the product handling line.

CHOOSING A LABEL APPLICATOR

One of the big challenges for today’s automatic labeling machine manufacturers and users is the increasing variety of packages or products that are expected to run on a single line. This is particularly true in many contract packaging applications which may rapidly change from day to day or even run to run. Many contract packaging facilities may never know quite what items are to be labeled next. They therefore require their application machinery to be highly flexible.

Whether the requirement is for single product labeling or for maximum flexibility, the applicator may need to be custom built with specific product handling, environment, speed or volume requirements in mind. Either way it is likely to be a significant investment.

It is important for the manufacturer to know the environmental conditions around the application machine, such as dust, heat, cold, damp or humidity. Will electrical systems need to be carefully protected? Will the equipment need to be powder-coated?

Questions need to be asked about service call-out times, telephone support, and on-line breakdown evaluation. These factors are all vital in assessing what equipment to install.

Ideally, end users should provide samples of the potential products to be labeled before making a final machine purchasing decision.

Intro section

The dispensing and application of pressure-sensitive labels can be undertaken on many different types of labeling machines, ranging from small hand-applied and hand-held devices, up to large-scale major investments in large volume, high-speed factory installations and on to completely integrated packaging, bottling, filling and label application lines.

In between these extremes are a very diverse and increasingly sophisticated range of both semi-automatic and fully-automated labeling machines that between them can be used to label almost any kind of product type or shape, in almost any position or orientation, die-cut or butt-cut, and in all kinds of label sizes and shapes.

Migrate nid

89642

Migrate path

/label-academy/article/automating-labeling-line

Article main topic

Workflow, MIS & inspection

Article slug

/label-academy/article/automating-labeling-line

Manual and electric label dispensers and hand-held labelers

Feedimporter — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 15:53:00 +0000

Posted date

5 years 10 months ago

Publication type

Chapter

Randomize

Off

Featured article

Short title

Manual and electric label dispensers and hand-held labelers

Short summary

There is a wide range of economical manual or electric dispensing and hand-held labeling devices on the market

Teaser image

Display section

Post-press

Chapter section

For the very basic requirements for dispensing small labels or stickers in offices and on bench tops there are a number of companies that provide cardboard box dispensers already containing small rolls of blank or pre-printed labels, with the box top or side itself acting as the stripper plate.

Moving beyond such simple devices, there is a wide range of economical manual or electric dispensing and hand-held labeling devices on the market. Some are portable, some bench- or wall-mounted, some are purely hand-operated, others electrically powered, but with the labels applied by hand.

Hand dispensers may carry only one size or width of reel, other dispensers may hold up to five or more small reels at the same time.

These types of dispensers are the least expensive labeling machines and are usually used in relatively low-volume situations or when labels are only occasionally required. By automatically dispensing the next label to be used, they increase efficiency over the use of manual labeling from a roll of labels.

Like the larger and more automated devices, the simpler dispensing machines still need to perform the operation of pulling the liner around a stripper plate so that the label can be easily removed from its backing and then applied by hand. Depending on the application and requirement, some dispensers are able to dispense 2, 3, 4 or more labels at the same time.

There are also easy-to-operate dispenser/applicators that can be operated by the simple turn of a handle located on the side of a bench-top mechanical labeler. This is often enough for companies looking to apply a pressure-sensitive label easily and consistently to almost any round or cylindrical product at anything up to 25-30 containers a minute.

Table-top dispensers and applicators are starting to become more sophisticated. They may be semi-automatic, electrically operated, or may incorporate a mechanical sensor, photo-sensor, perhaps a micro-switch to detect the leading edge, or an optical reader/sensor for use with transparent labels. Ideal for small labels and small work areas, table-top applicators automatically peel labels from the liner and advance and apply the label.

Hand-held label applicators of course need to be fairly light in weight so that they can be easily carried and operated without any kind of strain.

They may be trigger-operated and incorporate a sensor which automatically adjusts the stroke of the trigger to the length of the label, or battery-powered. Both types are used to undertake repetitive labeling tasks in a fraction of the time required for hand labeling. In general, hand-held labelers require no special operator training or tools.

There are a number of other more specialized types of dispensing and simple application machines. One example is a wipe-on label applicator designed as a small table-top unit mounted on an in-line adjustable-speed conveyor. To use, an operator simply places the item to be labeled at one end of the conveyor where it then travels under the label head and a label is applied. The labeled item then exits at the other end of the conveyor.

Manual feed, manual place or manual push machines can also be obtained for applications such as the labeling of pouches, barrier bags, anti-static bags, vacuum bags and heavyweight poly bags. With a manual-fed bag machine for example, the operator takes a bag and places it on a plate located on the machine, pushes the bag into feed belts so as to pass through a label head which places a label in the desired location.

The labeled bag then exits at the other end of the machine.

Similar types of manually-fed table-top application can be used for applying a label or seal to small boxes or cartons. Used in the pharmaceutical, medical packaging, food and other sectors requiring items packed in small boxes, the box sealing process again requires no operator training or special tools.

Having outlined the key types of manual and electric label dispensers and hand-held labelers, we now look at each type in more detail.

MANUAL AND ELECTRIC LABEL DISPENSERS

The aim of all dispensing devices is to dispense and feed an individual label forwards so that each label can be taken by hand and manually attached to a product, container, pack or surface. They are widely available in different label widths and label reel sizes and may be specific to a particular type of label or application.

Manual label dispensers. Manual label dispensers are simply operated by hand and are designed for fairly light usage. There is no automation of the operation. With manual label dispensers – including the cardboard dispensing devices mentioned earlier - all the operator has to do is pull the liner around a stripper plate or bar, so partially releasing the label from the backing liner and making it easy for the operator to pick the label off of the liner and place it where required.

Commonly used in packaging, fast food, bulk mailing, manufacturing and beverage applications, manual label dispensers may be portable, bench-top or wall mounted and dispense single labels or, with some manual devices, up to four or five different small labels side by side.

Electric label dispensers. Like manual dispensers, electrically operated, semi-automated, label dispensers are designed to dispense individual
labels forward and enable them to be removed from the release liner backing.

However, instead of pulling on the liner byhand to move each label forward, label advancement now takes place when a trigger device or sensor on the dispenser detects that a prior label has been removed.

The sensor then immediately closes the electric circuit so that an electric motor can dispense the next label on the roll. This action is repeated each time a label is removed.

Sensors are used to detect whether a label has been removed or is missing on the roll, and are of three different types:

Mechanical sensors. When a label has been moved forward electrically for dispensing it will touch a mechanical sensor that will stop the next label from moving forward.
Photo sensors. Photo sensors can be used for the dispensing of all types of die-cut and butt-cut labels and require no tools when changing label size or shape. There is no trigger device to adjust. Photo sensors are good for opaque labels as they can sense the difference in color between each label and the backing liner.
Optical sensors. Optical sensors are the most sensitive and accurate type of sensor and are able to detect transparent, miniature, metallic and opaque labels. They are used in the dispensing and advancing of all types of die-cut and butt-cut labels independent of size, shape or transparency. No adjustments are required for changeovers.

MANUAL AND SEMI-AUTOMATIC TABLE-TOP APPLICATORS

With manual and semi-automatic table-top application machines, the product to be labeled will be manually placed by an operator into an adjustable cradle, or onto a plate or perhaps a short conveyor belt or line of rollers. The machine is operated by pushing forward the item to be labeled or by turning a handle.

Each type of product to be labeled may require a different means of manually or semi-automatically placing the product in the correct position for the label to be dispensed and applied. Some of the key types of manual and semi-automatic table-top applicators are described below.

Bottle and cylindrical product applicators. With the simplest types of bottle and cylinder applicators, the product is manually placed in a cradle and a handle on the side of the applicator turned to apply a pressure-sensitive label evenly and consistently. Such devices can be used to label almost any round or cylindrical product. Whether label application is undertaken using a manual or semi-automatic applicator, the bottle rotates during the labeling cycle.

Usually supplied as small bench-top designed devices, such machines are easy to load and use and are easily adjustable for consistent product placement. With a good operator it is possible to label up to 25 to 30 bottles or cylindrical products per minute. An example of a mechanical bottle label applicator can be seen in Figure 3.3.

It should be noted that with hand bottle labelers there may be a significant matrix loss simply positioning the labels correctly on the bottle.

Depending on the level of automation, it may be feasible to save costs if sizes can be optimized through the print and die-cutting process, particularly to exploit standard web slit widths.

Next come semi-automatic label applicators for bottles and cylindrical products, but again with the products placed by hand into a cradle.

Depending on the model, the operator will then either press a button, pull a handle down or step on a foot pedal to start the label operation cycle.

Once the product has been placed in the cradle and the cycle started, a spring-loaded overhead pressure arm is used to keep light pressure on the container for consistent and secure label placement. With some applicators it is possible to apply both a front and a back label during each cycle (providing the necessary labels alternate on the web). Some models may have a powered rewinder for liner waste collection.

2. Carton and box conveyor belt applicators. Bench-top applicators with conveyors offer higher productivity than a semi-automatic label dispenser and are easier for many label users to justify than in-line fully automated labelers.

Designed to operate as table-top units with an adjustable speed conveyor, an operator simply puts the carton or box at one end of a conveyor (Figure 3.4.) and as it travels under or past the label head a label is applied.

The box then exits at the other end of the conveyor.

Non-contact sensors are used to detect both the label and product. Simple push button controls with dwell timer functions ensure the label can be placed at a desired position on the product consistently and accurately. Some models have a touch-sensitive display screen where all settings can be made and viewed. It is also possible to purchase such machines with an adjustable height stand on wheels that can be rolled up to an existing conveyor line.

3. Bag and pouch applicators. Both manual and automated feed machines are available for the labeling of a range of different types of bags or pouches and many can place a label virtually anywhere on the bag. With manual fed machines the operator places each bag on a plate in the machine, then pushes the bag into feed belts where it is taken under a label head which applies the label in the desired location virtually anywhere on the bag.

Easy to use non-contact sensors are used to detect both the label and the bag. Simple push-buttons are used to control the dwell time, and motor speed if automated feed machines are used.

MANUAL AND BATTERY-OPERATED HAND-HELD LABELERS

These types of hand-held machines need to be fairly light so they can be easily carried and operated. They are used to undertake repetitive labeling in a fraction of the time of hand labeling.

They enable an operator to apply labels anywhere they are needed, including assembly line labeling, batch products, palletized cartons, corrugated boxes, blister packs, PLU labels on fruit and vegetables and bar code labels.

Manual hand-held labelers are usually trigger-operated and incorporate a sensor which automatically adjusts the stroke of the trigger to the length of the label.

Battery-powered hand-held labelers, on the other hand, incorporate a non-contact optical sensor to adjust for label length.

Battery-powered machines are equipped with a touch sensitive nose, enabling the operator to simply touch the front of the labeler to the product being labeled. The label then advances and is applied in one simple motion. These labelers use either a self-contained rechargeable battery pack or direct AC power.

The more sophisticated labelers will have a rewinder for the label liner waste. In general, hand-held labelers require no special operator training or tools.

Price, ‘sell by’ dates, barcodes, time or date stamps, product description and tracking information can all be added using hand-held price guns (such as the one shown in Figure 3.6) and other types of hand-held labelers that can print 1, 2, or 3 lines of fixed, variable or sequential information before dispensing an application.

Intro section

Not all businesses require sophisticated automated label applicators; many will only need simpler bench-top or stand-alone dispensing devices or basic application machines, often only hand or manually operated with little or no automation. Or may be electrically operated, and only used for light-duty applications, variable size packs, small volumes, stock office or safety labels.

Nevertheless, they still require some kind of machine or device that will assist in the process of easily removing each label from the backing release liner and applying by hand or semi-automatically.

Migrate nid

89641

Migrate path

/label-academy/article/manual-and-electric-label-dispensers-and-hand-held-labelers

Article main topic

Ancillary equipment

Article slug

/label-academy/article/manual-and-electric-label-dispensers-and-hand-held-labelers

Understanding the basics of label application

Feedimporter — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 14:22:00 +0000

Posted date

5 years 10 months ago

Publication type

Chapter

Randomize

Off

Featured article

Short title

Understanding the basics of label application

Short summary

A detailed overview of the process of label application

Teaser image

Display section

Post-press

Chapter section

Accurate die-cutting is an essential element in successful label application. The cutting die – flat, rotary or wraparound – should only cut through the face material and adhesive of the pressure-sensitive laminate (see Figure 2.2.), but not cut into or through the backing paper. The matrix is then removed to leave the desired label shapes on the web (Figure 2.3.).

The printed, die-cut and waste-stripped labels that come off the press are usually in large master reels, often with a number of label repeats across the web.

These master reels are slit and rewound into smaller, single-width, applicator-sized, reels before being despatched to the customer. This process is called rewinding and is the operation of unwinding printed die-cut labels from the press roll through a machine that slits them to the required widths, and maybe inspects them to enable faulty or missing labels to be replaced. The number of labels on each roll is counted and the labels rewound into smaller rolls of the correct size ready for end-use application, with the correct leading edge for the specific application line.

Poor or faulty die-cutting may lead to problems at both the waste stripping and application stages. Too loose or too tight rewinding of the labels and the wrong leading-edge direction can cause application line problems. If there is no gap between each label on the liner, the leading edge of the label cannot be released and peel away on the beak or peel plate.

IMPORTANCE OF REWIND AND UNWIND DIRECTION

Most label application machines will only work with one label unwind direction, which needs to be known before slitting and rewinding of press rolls takes place. Pressure-sensitive labels wound in the wrong feed direction or orientation will almost certainly cause production delays and extended down time. Figure 2.4 indicates the range of rewind options used with pressure-sensitive applicators.

Depending on the end-use application requirement, labels can be rewound on the inside or outside of a roll, and with either the narrow edge leading or the wide edge leading. Fig 2.5 shows labels wound on the outside, with the right edge leading. The diagram also shows how the terms label gap, label length, label width and label roll core are defined.

If both front and back labels are being applied then the rewinding specifications and requirements may be different for each.

DETERMINE CORRECT APPLICATOR REEL SIZE

As dispensing and application machines come in many different shapes and sizes it is also important to know the minimum and maximum outside diameter of the label reels that can be held in the unwind holder (magazine). The reel diameter measurement is also the larger the outside diameter of the unwind holder, the larger the reel size that can be accommodated.

Larger reel sizes on the application equipment will mean less changeover time and more production efficiency. However, the reel size must not be so large that it cannot be handled safely by the operator. Knowing the maximum outside diameter of the reels will allow the number of labels per roll and the size of roll to be calculated.

ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF LABEL APPLICATION

There are many different types of machines and devices for dispensing or applying labels, but they all need to incorporate a number of key features:

The Labeling Head, which incorporates an unwind reel holder or magazine that will carry the reel of labels, and a means of controlling the web path at the required speed through the applicator. The liner pulls the web through the labeling head and there are elaborate tension controls to ensure that the pull is always greater than the push.
The Applicator, with a means of peeling away the backing material (release liner) by pulling it back (see Figure 2.6.), normally over an acute metal beak, so leaving the label free to be applied to the product, either by hand or automatically, together with a means of feeding the semi-detached label forward and pressing/applying the label to the surface to be labeled.

Extensive testing has shown that with a 2mm radius on the peel tip or beak, the optimum angle to pull the liner is 7 degrees.

The labeling head and the applicator are regarded as one single unit by most equipment manufacturers.

3. The product handling system, which is designed to consistently place the product or item being labeled in the right position and speed for the applicator to do its job.

The labeling process involves unwinding a reel of die-cut labels and then pulling the web under tension around the beak (Figure 2.7).

As the backing material is taken around the sharp angle of the plate the front edge of the label peels away from the backing and the label is pressed to the surface, while the backing liner runs around the beak to be removed and rewound on the rewind take-up spindle. The aim throughout is to apply differential pressure and/or degree of wrap to achieve a consistent tension at the beak.

Many applicator systems include a separate rewind motor to maintain accurate and consistent pull tension at the beak.

UNWINDING AND CONTROLLING THE LABEL WEB

The labeling head incorporates a control module which manages the applicator functions and tells it when to stop and start.

The roll of labels to be applied is placed in the unwind reel holder or magazine, and threaded through the applicator. In many cases the label web will go around a dancer roller that helps control the unwind rate and enables a free flow of labels from the unwind and through the applicator system.

A light source and a phototransistor read the gap between labels to tell the labeler when to stop. The web path may also include an idler roller to help with a smooth passage of the web.

An adjustable tension device or shoe (Figure 2.8) is commonly located above the stripper plate or beak. This is adjusted to apply slight pressure to the label being dispensed to keep it laying flat until it reaches the plate or beak tip, ensuring an ideal pressure through a gap sensor and aiding the peeling of the label from the backing release liner.

To pull the label web through the applicator system a drive shaft roller and a pinch roller are usually located towards the end of the web path. These rollers also feed the backing liner to the liner rewind spindle.

A product sensing device is used to read the presence of products to be labeled.

REMOVING THE LABEL FROM THE BACKING

One of the commonest methods of dispensing or removing die-cut labels from the web at the point of application is by using a metal beak.

Depending on the equipment manufacturer this may alternatively be called a stripper plate, a tongue, a dispensing blade, a peeler or peel plate, a bar, or a peeling lip. In all cases the label web is bent around the beak or peel tip at a sharp angle, with the front edge of the label peeling away from the backing liner as a result of the liner pulling action. The liner continues on to be rewound.

Stripper plates or beaks are found in a variety of configurations, including fixed plates and floating plates. Both variations can be seen in Figure 2.10.

Rigid stripper plates are usually used for very uniform products, while spring-based plates may be recommended for certain side labeling applications. Floating stripper plates, either solenoid or pneumatically operated, may be used to place labels accurately into recessed areas on a pack. Powered stripper plates need to be accurately controlled by electronic timers, so that the label is pre-dispensed or maintained in contact with the pack or product for the required period.

Most systems will actually float the label onto the container surface at shallow angles. The leading edge of the label is often ‘pre-dispensed’ by a small length to help break the bond of the adhesive to the release coating. The 90 degree stripper plate design has a minor impact on release, as the liner is traveling marginally faster than the actual label around the guide pulley.

APPLYING THE DISPENSED LABEL

Once the labels start to be detached from the backing there are various ways of feeding them forward and pressing (applying) them to the pack, container or product. The effectiveness of the labeling operation is determined by the uniform application of pressure to ensure a positive contact of the adhesive with the surface of the product being labeled.

The three most commonly used methods of uniformly applying pressure to the applied label are:

Direct transfer
Tamp
Air-jet

Direct transfer application. Direct transfer, also referred to as roll-on or wipe-on, makes use of a rubber (see Figure 2.11) or foam roller and sometimes a drum applicator device to press and fix the label to the product or pack as it passes below the applicator.

May also be supplemented by a brush or brushes.

Roller or drum application devices are one of the most common methods of affixing pressure-sensitive labels to products or containers.

Ideal for flat, regular surfaces or cylindrical containers or packs, they may also be used to label concave and convex surfaces.

By employing two application heads it is possible to apply labels to the bottom and top of objects (Figure 2.12) simultaneously with only one pass through the machine.

By setting the applicator heads horizontally and facing each other it then becomes possible to also apply labels to both sides of objects (Figure 2.13).

It is important that the label being dispensed is traveling in the same direction and speed as the item being labeled during the label application process.

Direct transfer label application is widely used for primary and secondary labeling and for wrap-around applications.

Tamp application. With tamp application the label is dispensed from the release backing and sucked into place and held in position on a vacuum tamp pad or plunger before being extended to the product. When the product is in the correct position, the suction is released. The label is driven to the application position by an air cylinder and applied to the product by direct pressure. See Figure 2.14.

The result is a highly accurate labeling system. With such systems – which may also be referred to as tamp-on, pressure-pad or pneumatic plunger – it is possible to select any surface, direction or angle, up or down, simultaneously to both sides, for label application – for example to place labels at an inclination of 45 degrees.

By employing a longer plunger arm it is possible to apply labels into deep recesses or even into the bottom of something like a cup or glass. Depths up to 150mm (5.1 inches) or so may be reached. Some of these variations can also be seen in Figure 2.14.

Air jet/air blow application. This is another frequently used method of label application. The labels are stripped from the backing as usual and then, after release, are retained by a vacuum on a honeycomb grid, from where they are subsequently blown onto the product or container by applying air pressure (see Figure 2.15).

Sensors at the peel tip ensure there is no double labeling or missing labels, allowing for fast, accurate placement. Tampers or brushes may additionally be used to press the label firmly down for wrinkle-free label attachment.

Using this method it is possible to apply labels in positions that would be virtually impossible by other methods. Absolutely no damage will be done to the surface or product to be labeled.

A variation of air jet application is where the application head is built into a mechanical arm which can then be positioned to label products such as television tubes. This type of application is illustrated in Figure 2.16.

Other application options. Other methods of uniformly applying pressure to the label to ensure that it sticks with a positive contact include hybrid applicators (using two or more of the methods already described), vacuum wrap, dual-web and multi-label applicators.

It is possible to achieve great flexibility with one labeler handling a range of different products. Examples of some of the different types of dispensing and application devices are given on the next page.

With some systems it is feasible to apply labels on and around the corners of boxes, such as for medicines or confectionery box sealing, or even three panel labeling. These can be seen in Figure 2.17.

A variation of conventional roller application used on some machines is the use of rollers made of knurled aluminium rings, so allowing packs with uneven surfaces to be handled, as in Figure 2.18.

Powered rotating brushes, sometimes profiled to the corner of a product, may also be used to press the label into difficult areas. Even more sophisticated methods involve wrap-around belts or reciprocating pads.

LABEL AND PRODUCT CONTROL

To ensure that labels are applied accurately and consistently to products, pressure-sensitive label applicators may be fitted with various label or product tracing/sensing/control devices such as the one shown in Fig 2.19.

Label sensing or tracing devices monitor the gap between the individual die-cut labels and interrupt the web feed at the end of each label. This resets the system to receive the next start signal from the product tracing devices, which include micro-switches, photocells or spot color readers.

Other controls on the web may be used to detect missing labels, the end of the reel or web breaks (see Figure 2.20 and 2.21).

With many applicator systems the actual product or container triggers the application of the label through the use of product tracing/control devices.

This means that even with erratic or irregular product flow the system will automatically compensate and only dispense a label as required.

Container or conveyor speed encoders may also feed back to the applicator so that the next label is applied at the correct speed. A fully loaded in-line slat conveyor will run faster if containers arrive with big gaps.

Many different scanning/sensing technologies are available on pressure-sensitive label applicators, from photocells with reflector mirrors, transmitter/receivers, proximity switches, spot or color readers or, for certain applications, micro-switches.

For semi-automatic applications foot switches may be used.

It is also common for label applicators to be part of a larger packaging or assembly line in which they will receive the pack or product to be labeled from a previous automation stage, apply the label, and then feed the labeled item onto the next operation or stage in the process.

Sophisticated handling, product orienting, conveyor belt and other control systems or devices may then be required, as well as a means of product detection and ejection (see Figure 2.23.).

Where containers are labeled empty - before filling - there are usually feedback loops with queue sensors which will slow the labeling machine if the filler stops or the bottle feed is interrupted. Accuracy is better where systems slow rather than completely stop.

Intro section

Pressure-sensitive labels are a laminate construction made up of a label face material of paper, film or foil, a pressure-sensitive adhesive and a silicone coated backing paper or film (release liner).

The release liner protects the pressure-sensitive adhesive during handling, printing, converting, die-cutting and rewinding of the labels and right up to the point of application. At this stage, the backing is peeled away from the adhesive immediately prior to its application. This pressure-sensitive label construction can be seen in Figure 2.1.

Migrate nid

89637

Migrate path

/label-academy/article/understanding-basics-label-application

Article main topic

Brand owners & design

Article slug

/label-academy/article/understanding-basics-label-application

Introducing label dispensing and application technology

Feedimporter — Tue, 24 Nov 2020 13:20:00 +0000

Posted date

5 years 10 months ago

Publication type

Chapter

Randomize

Off

Featured article

Short title

Introducing label dispensing and application technology

Short summary

Accurately dispense and apply individual pressure-sensitive labels to a wide variety of product shapes and sizes

Teaser image

Display section

Post-press

Chapter section

This was all pioneered by R. Stanton Avery, who reportedly used a matchbox as a peel plate or beak. Today’s global industry is founded on these same principles.

LABEL DISPENSING MACHINES

From simply peeling the backing away by hand have come dispensing machines that will do the same job by pulling the label forward, either mechanically or electrically, moving the liner so the label to then be applied by hand. An example of this type of dispensing machine can be seen in Figure 1.1.

Hand dispensers like this have an unwind spool that feeds the label web to a stripping plate, dispensing the label for hand application, with the backing liner taken away to be re-wound, disposed of or recycled.

Hand dispensers will normally be on a packing table or bench, with the product to be labeled taken to the machine for the label to be applied. With larger items the dispenser may be mobile and taken or wheeled to the product.

HAND-HELD LABELERS

From the early, relatively simple machines used to dispense and apply labels by hand, have evolved a variety of hand-held labelers – including those that can print one, two, or three lines of fixed, variable or sequential information before dispensing. Hand labelers, including those with print capabilities, need to be both robust enough to withstand continuous handling, and relatively lightweight to avoid hand and arm strain.

An example of a modern hand labeler can be seen in Figure 1.2.

Like hand dispensers, hand labelers will incorporate a label unwind spool, a stripping plate to remove the backing and feed the label forward for application, and usually, a backing liner spool to take up the waste.

Some early models used sprocket holes in the webs to allow the liner to be ratcheted forward to create the pull around the beak or peel plate. Hand labelers are designed to be portable and taken to the product.

Hand labelers, and those with simple one, two or three line print capabilities, come in a variety of designs, shapes and widths, but are limited in the length and width of labels that can be applied by the need for portability and ease of handling.

Semi-automated or fully-automated labeling machines are used to apply pressure-sensitive labels from a roll of labels onto a container or product, supplemented by the latest generations of high-speed ‘intelligent’ and rotary applicators and sophisticated labeling lines.

AUTOMATED AND ‘INTELLIGENT’ APPLICATORS

These more advanced machines may be controlled by touch-screen interfaces, microprocessors and use programable logic controllers, servo drives, sophisticated label or product sensing devices – both contact and non-contact – scanners and vision inspection systems, as well as having the potential to add a whole variety of mechanical or electronic overprinting devices into the labeling head or labeling line.

All types of pressure-sensitive dispenser or applicator have a number of key things in common.

Firstly, a means of peeling the release liner or backing away from the label. This is usually accomplished by unwinding a reel of die-cut, or sometimes butt-cut, labels and then pulling the web under tension around a peel plate or beak. As the backing is taken around the sharp angle of the plate, the front edge of the label is ‘released’. Advances in high-speed release have been vital in developing the latest generation of high-speed applicators.

Once the label starts to be released from the backing, there are various ways of feeding it forward and pressing (applying) it to a pack, container or product.

A number of different devices – including rollers, brushes, tamp pads or air jets – are used to ensure the label sticks with a positive contact to the product or container.

Some systems can provide a limited number of shapes cut to the top and bottom, although the laminate material is more commonly printed, without die-cutting, at full press speed and subsequently converted into a single ply linerless label on a special machine or converting operation.

In summary, if an end user needs to apply pressure-sensitive labels to almost any kind of product shape or size, in any kind of environment, whether over-printed or not, and with or without a backing release liner, there is an application system able to do the job. The technology available today is summarized in Figure 1.10.

Very fragile or delicate products can be labeled using jets of air, without the physical contact of a roller or pad. Applicator systems employing pneumatics are used in flame-proof situations for labeling spirit or alcohol-filled containers.

Custom machines have been built to label beer kegs, car windows and make-up compacts, and for applying labels to internal membranes on air bag deployment tubes, bundling rods, and for wrapping tapered products.

APPLICATION FLEXIBILITY

The direct transfer of labels from a reel permits exact placement in front, back or neck positions, on top or bottom, into recesses and around corners in any combination, depending on the number of application heads on the machine (see Figure 1.11). Changeover of labels from one design or bottle type to another takes about 15 minutes. Any combination of labels on a three-head applicator can be changed at any time, thus providing extreme flexibility.

The latest modular labeling systems allow wet-glue, pressure-sensitive, linerless, wrap-around or sleeve labeling options on one machine.

Intro section

The rapid growth in the use of pressure-sensitive labels for product decoration, marking and identification has been one of the success stories of the last fifty years. Also known today as self-adhesive labels, they offer labeling flexibility, simplicity of application without the use of wet adhesives, quick label applicator line changeovers and the potential to add coding, marking and overprinting close to the point of application on almost any size or shape of product.

Continuous innovation and marketing by substrate suppliers, technology manufacturers and converters has done much to make pressure-sensitive labels so widely used. Equally important was the development of technologies for die-cutting labels to shape, removing the matrix waste and then being able to accurately dispense and apply individual pressure-sensitive labels to a wide variety of product shapes and sizes.

Migrate nid

89636

Migrate path

/label-academy/article/introducing-label-dispensing-and-application-technology

Article main topic

Brand owners & design

Article slug

/label-academy/article/introducing-label-dispensing-and-application-technology