Setting up an automated stock management system has become critical as label printers are increasingly asked by brand owners to provide traceability of all self-adhesive materials for every batch
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
Whatever quantity of a product is produced, it will be necessary in the majority of cases to mark the merchandise in a way that provides recognition of its manufacturer
Smaller than the food and beverage label market, the cosmetics sector is characterized by high value-added labels. Regulation by public bodies is less stringent, but counterfeiting is common
Each end-user market is different. Understanding these differences is essential if we are to satisfy the customer and the brand owner, and work with them to meet present and future needs
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
Flexible packaging has been growing rapidly in recent years and replacing other forms of packaging, such as rigid plastics containers or corrugated materials
Pre-press output converts data from the manufacturing specification and digital design files to produce the components required for the manufacture of the labels and packaging
Proofing is a method of producing either hardcopy or electronic facsimiles suitable for viewing a design before printing and for early, intermediate, or final approval
Barcodes come in many different code formats, sizes and shapes and are found on all types of products in retail, commercial and industrial applications
Once a barcode has been printed onto a label or product it will require to be read, decoded and the information rapidly sent to a computer or checkout terminal
A barcode consists of a series of thick and thin alternating vertical dark and light bars of different widths which are printed on to labels and packaging
Over the last thirty years there has been a startling evolution in both the equipment and printing methods used for the manufacture of self-adhesive labels
Label converters should regularly review their manufacturing process to understand how to minimize solid waste in their label and package production operations
Label materials are under pressure to be more sustainable so it is important to understand what the customer actually wants from their label materials – and why
There is a wide variety of specialty inks, varnishes and other special-effects technologies that can add both decorative value and functionality to the surface of a label
This article looks at the role of inks and coatings from multiple points of view, to build an understanding of how ink is manufactured, stored, specified, mixed, used on press and tested before final despatch of the finished label roll
