The Whats and Hows of Printer Labels

 If you're a warehouse, factory or office worker, you've probably handled a label printer before. And even if you don't work in these departments, you know what a label looks like. However, did you know that there are many different types of labels on the market, and they're all made for different purposes? Even though they seem like regular pieces of paper, labels are complex and have many different layers.

Parts of the Label

source: upcs.com

Labels aren’t just one piece of paper. There are actually several layers. Each one of them has a specific role and serves a purpose. The manufacturers layered them expertly on top of one another to achieve premium aesthetics and functionality.

This makes the labels look good and the buyers won’t have a problem recognising the products. However, it’s important to have high-quality printable barcode labels so they can last for a long time and not fade or peel off after a week or two.

Liner

For any pressure-sensitive label to work correctly, it needs to have a liner. The liner is also known as backing paper and it has the role of transferring the labels to the applicator. This allows the adhesive-backed label to transfer to the article it covers.

Its other purpose is to protect the label during its manufacturing process and while it’s in use on the product. The other purpose is to protect the adhesive part before applying it to the product. And the last one is to make sure the application is simple and easy whether you do it by hand or automatically.

There are many requirements liners need to meet. That's why you can find them in several varieties. When buying liners never compromise on strength, smoothness, stability, density and release level. All of these features should be highly functional, so you get premium labels. Liners can be made of paper or film. This depends on the manufacturer.

Release Coating

The release coating layer comes directly after the liner. It makes our life much easier, and it has an essential function. Its purpose is to resist the adhesive, this way you can peel off the lining smoothly. The reason why the liner and the adhesive aren’t stuck together is the release coating between them.

Adhesives

Labels need either light or moderate pressure to stick to the surface of the product. The amount of pressure mainly depends on the surface (its texture and finish) and the durability of the label. Ask yourself these questions:

• Will the label leave traces when removed?
• How long should it stay on the product?
• What's the temperature of the environment where the product will stay?
• What type of material will it adhere to?
• Will it be exposed to some kind of solvent?

Knowing the answers to these questions can help you a lot when buying printable barcode labels. Permanent labels are stickier. They'll leave traces when you peel them off. Not-so-permanent ones, on the other hand, won’t leave a trace. You can find them made of rubber or acrylic. Rubber ones are cheaper, water-resistant and will stick easily.

Acrylic labels are good with temperature fluctuations, are see-through and have great UV-resistant properties. These adhesives have different properties and many different applications:

• Tack – great and immediate bonding strength;
• Ultimate adhesion – strong bonding with the surface;
• Solvent-resistant – fights against alcohol, petrochemicals and water;
• UV resistance – won’t lose or change colour when exposed to sun;
• Application temperature – perfect for high-temperature fluctuations;
• Cold flow – suitable for low-temperature environments;
• Adhesion to curvy surfaces – for curvy and irregularly shaped products.

Facestock

Just as the name suggests this is the face, or the top, of the label. It can be made of different materials made for different surfaces and purposes. Paper is very affordable and suitable for indoor use. Foil is basically layers of aluminium or alloys. Film can be made of plastic or synthetic and it’s good for nursery application and being sewn into tags.

You can also find facestock made of tape. The tag variety is 5-10mm stock that has no liner or adhesive. Magnets are a fine combination of just magnets and paper. There are also facestocks with a matte finish which are very suitable for barcodes, and QR codes. And last but not least, holograms. They're very durable and are mostly used for identification and security.

Topcoat

The topcoat protects the label from moisture and prevents wear and tear. In some cases, it can also be UV-resistant. Overall, the perfect finishing touch to complete all types of printer labels.

Types of Labels

source: gstatic.com

Direct Thermal

Direct thermal labels use heat to activate the chemical layers of the synthetic base. The printer heats the tiny particles on the label paper during printing, causing certain regions of the chemical layer to become active and produce the images.

These labels are used in shipping, in warehouses, for tickets and receipts and on a weight scale. Direct thermal labels are simple to use and have a short to medium lifespan. They'll fade after 6-12 months. They're also budget-friendly and will work with most printers on the market.

Thermal Transfer

This kind of printing requires a ribbon. The printer's ribbon warms up during the printing process. It transfers the marks onto the paper when heated. This way it produces barcodes, names, numbers, and other symbols. These labels are suitable for indoor and outdoor use and are pretty durable.

Shipping Labels

Shipping labels are used on parcels and packages. They have information about the product, the shipping address and some special care requirements during transport. They come in many sizes and designs to suit the different needs of different businesses. Some of them even customise the label so it’s easily recognisable and part of the brand.

Removable Labels

These are temporary labels. They have a secure bond to the product but as soon as they’re removed they leave no traces of adhesive or paper and don’t damage the product. You can even remove and reapply them on different products. They're used for parking passes, name tags, food packaging, electronic appliances, bumper stickers and much more.