When it comes to product labeling, while there are synergies across some industries, many labeling functions are industry-specific depending upon the type of products that are being packaged. Because there is such a wide range of product labeling applications, there are a myriad of specialized machines in kind designed to handle specific and varied requirements relative to product shape, size, production speed, label substrates, shapes and designs, possibly data to be imprinted and volume of printing that is needed.
The following is a product labeling primer covering—the basics of the type of machines available in today’s marketplace and the applications they handle to help you determine which is best suited for your needs.
Product Labeling Equipment There is a wide range of equipment to consider based most fundamentally on the type of packaging material and product:
- Labeling applicators include everything from low-speed, DC-driven models to high-speed, Servo-driven models and include machines like those that do tamp apply, blow on and tamp/blow fixed-speed application of labels.
- Print and apply labeling systems are available that help to identify shipping cases, pallets, and containers to facilitate the identification of these items for fast and accurate logistics purposes.
- In-line label applications for primary products come in two types—automatic systems and semi-automatic systems.
- The automatic labeling systems are designed for front and back labels, top and bottom labels, wrap systems for industries like cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, and for the creation of custom product labels. These systems also include machines that offer specialized tamper evident labeling equipment for those products that must ensure that the products inside are protected.
- The semi-automatic labeling systems are designed for full wrap labels and other shapes of packaging like tubes. These can also be table-top systems for certain types of product applications.
- Open frame labeling systems is a panel labeler that does not use a conveyor belt. It can also be a wrap labeler that works without a conveyor to wrap pressure-sensitive labels around various round-shaped products.
Each machine provides a solution for a particular type of product, ensuring that the labeling process is of high-quality, accurate, safe, durable and productive not to mention cost-effective for your operation. Do be sure to also consider the labeling speed required measured in products per minute, , how long your production line needs to run and how it is configured. There are other important considerations when selecting a labeling system best suited for your project requirements.
In Summary Don’t forget these main points about product labeling basics that start with knowing what labeling machine works best for what application:
- Know the application, substrate, the product type, the shape of each product, labeling requirements and production volume as these are key considerations for selecting a labeling system .
- There are label applicators, print and apply labeling systems, open frame labeling systems and in-line labeling systems that are either automatic or semi-automatic.
