Product Labels

7 Steps To The Perfect Product Label

1- Choose Your
Printer Type

Printer Technology

Thermal Transfer: The most versatile label printer on the market today in terms of label material offerings. Over 90% of the market utilizes thermal transfer technology in their labeling printing.

Direct Thermal: A very popular print technology when your labels do not need to last for many months. These printers are typically used in the food and shipping industries.

Inkjet: This technology is growing very rapidly. Companies are finding ways to get more out of their labels. By using color, it not only enhances their brand, but differentiates between products.

Laser: This is the old standby technology. One of the best things about Laser is that every company has multiple printers at their location. These printers could be put to use with very little up front costs.

2-Choose Your
Label Category

Label Category

Label printers have five different categories. These mainly have to do with the roll size “OD” outer diameter that the printer can print.

Industrial: These label printers can take up to a 8” OD roll with a 3” ID (inside diameter core) which is standard in the label industry.

DeskTop: These label printers and take either a 4” OD or 5” OD and a 3” ID depending on printer manufacturer.

Mobile: These printers can take up to a 2.75” OD with a .5” core.

Laser: These printers typically use an 8.5” x 11” sheet where you can put multiple labels on that sheet.

PAX: This is the term we use for a typical label applicator. These applicators can take utilize larger rolls of labels and ribbons for less downtime.

As always, we are here to help. Please give us a call at 888.972.5234 or Email Us. We look forward to working with you.

3- Choose Your
Label Material

Label Material

Paper: This material would be used for high-volume low abrasion applications like shipping, inventory or labeling corrugated boxes. It is the least expensive of all materials.

Polypropylene: Is used where you need some abrasion resistance and the label might endure moisture.

Polyester: Polyester is recommended for harsh environments such as labels that need high abrasion and chemical resistance and/or need to used outdoors.

Polyolefin: This product is typically used where you need some abrasion resistance and the labels are applied to a round surface such as a tube or vial.

Polyimide: This material is used only on surfaces that would get very hot during manufacturing such as circuit boards or steel processing.

Vinyl: The material is relatively new to the labeling field. This product works best when you need to label a very tight round surface, such as a tube or vial.

If you need help in deciding which material is right for you application, give us a call at 888.972.5234 or Email Us. We are here to help.

4- Choose Your
Label Format

Label Format

Rolls: Most of the label materials are finished on rolls in various OD’s (outside diameter) depending on the printer you have. They can be produced on diecut or continuous rolls.

Continuous: Label that are produced on continuous rolls are essentially one big label.
Through your labeling software, you can design any size or length label you need.

Fanfold: This design is similar to the old computer printers where the paper was made flat in a box and joined together by perfs, cuts in the facesheet, like an accordion. This is a popular solution where you have low batch runs.

Sheets: Only laser printers can use sheeted labels. This is a very underutilized solution because most companies do not think about using their laser printers in the production of label printers.

If you need help in deciding which material is right for you application, give us a call at 888.972.5234 or Email Us. We are here to help.

5- Choose Your
Label Color

Label Color

Stock labels typically start out as white and blank.

Floodcoated: These labels have color over the entire surface. They are used in mainly in inventory control or where you need to differentiate between different products. Color makes it easy to find product in your warehouse. If you have any questions or need help in deciding which label is right for you, please give us a call at 888.972.5234 or Email Us. We are here to help.

6- Choose Your
Label Finish

Label Finish

Label finish is always a consideration on how the labels will look on your products. Most product labels use a matte finish.

Matte: A flat white label that provides excellent print from your label printer.

Semi-gloss: This material is found mostly in the inkjet label application. It has a slight sheen to the surface. Makes for excellent printing in color.

Gloss: There are some applications that call for a gloss label. This is used where there is some moisture in the service life of the labels. The gloss repels moisture better than a standard paper label. Inkjet printer applications love the gloss finished products. It really allows the color to stand out.
When you get into polyesters or labels for the retail industries, they tend to want a more of a gloss finish. It makes the color pop.

If you need help in deciding which material is right for you application, give us a call at 888.972.5234 or Email Us. We are here to help.

7- Choose Your
Label Size (width)

Choose Your Size (width)

In the label industry, labels are measured with the first dimension left to right across the web. The second dimension is top to bottom. It is much easier to communicate sizes when everyone is on the same page. We are here to help. Please call at 888.972.5234 or Email Us with any questions you may have.

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