The Whats and Hows of Label Printing

 You may not pay a lot of attention to them, but labels are a big part of our life. They're the ones that contain every piece of information we need to know about every product we buy. It holds their production and expiration day, contents, materials it's made of, care and maintenance instructions and much more. If you've ever wondered how everything works, here's a chance to understand.  

Types of Labels

Direct Thermal

Direct thermal labels activate the chemical layers of the synthetic base using heat. During printing, the printer heats the tiny particles on the label paper, which activates certain regions of the chemical layer and produces the images.

People print barcode labels for many purposes, such as shipping, in warehouses, for tickets and receipts, and on weight scales. Direct thermal labels are simple to use and have a short to medium lifespan, fading after 6-12 months. They are also budget-friendly and compatible with most printers.

Thermal Transfer

This kind of printing uses a ribbon. During the printing process, the ribbon warms up and transfers marks onto the paper when heated. This method produces barcodes, names, numbers, and other symbols. These labels work well both indoors and outdoors and are quite durable.

Shipping Labels

Businesses use shipping labels on parcels and packages to display product information, shipping addresses, and special care requirements during transport. These labels come in various sizes and designs to meet different business needs. Some businesses even customize the labels to make them easily recognizable and part of their brand.

Removable Labels

Temporary labels securely bond to products but leave no traces of adhesive or paper when removed, ensuring no damage to the product. You can even remove and reapply them on different items. People use these labels for parking passes, name tags, food packaging, electronic appliances, bumper stickers, and much more.

Parts of the Labels

Labels aren’t just a regular piece of paper. They’re made of several layers, each with a specific role and purpose. Manufacturers expertly layer them to get premium aesthetics and high functionality. A design like this makes sure the labels look good and buyers can easily recognise the products they represent. However, it’s crucial to use high-quality printable labels so they last for a long time and don’t fade or peel off after a week or two on the shelves.

Liner

A pressure-sensitive label needs a liner to work properly. Also known as backing paper, the liner transfers the labels to the applicator. This process allows the adhesive-backed label to transfer to the product it covers. The liner also protects the label during manufacturing and while it’s in use on the product.

Additionally, it also protects the adhesive part before sticking the label on a surface. Lastly, it provides a simple and easy application, no matter if you’re doing it by hand or automatically.

Liners must meet many requirements, which is why they come in several different options. When buying liners, never compromise on their strength, smoothness, stability, density, or release level. All these features combined should be highly functional to make sure you get premium labels. Depending on their preferences, manufacturers can make liners from either paper or film.

Release Coating

The release coating layer follows the liner and plays an essential role in making our lives easier. It resists the adhesive, allowing you to peel off the lining smoothly. The release coating prevents the liner and adhesive from sticking together.

Adhesives

Labels require either light or moderate pressure to adhere to a product’s surface. The necessary pressure depends on the surface’s texture and finish, as well as the label’s durability. Consider questions like these, how long should it last on the product? Will it leave traces when you remove it? What's the average temperature of the environment where the product will stay? What material will it stick it and will it be exposed to some kind of solvent?

Answering these questions will help you a lot when you want to print barcode labels for your business and products. Permanent labels are stickier and will leave traces when peeled off, while less permanent ones won’t. You can find labels made of rubber or acrylic. Rubber labels are cheaper, water-resistant, and adhere easily.

Acrylic labels work perfectly in environments where there are high-temperature fluctuations. They're also UV-resistant and see-through. This makes them very versatile and applicable in a lot of situations. They also have great bonding strength, will fight solvents, won’t lose or change the colour when exposed to sunrays etc.

Facestock

As the name suggests, this is the face or top of the printer labels. Different materials can be used for various surfaces and purposes. Paper offers an affordable option suitable for indoor use. Foil consists of layers of aluminium or alloys. Film, made from plastic or synthetic materials, works well for nursery applications and can be sewn into tags.

There's also a version of the facestock made out of tape. The tag variety includes 5-10mm stock without a liner or adhesive. Magnets combine with paper to create a fine option. Facestocks with a matte finish work well for barcodes and QR codes. Lastly, holograms offer durability and are primarily used for identification and security.

Topcoat

The topcoat is the final defence mechanism for the label. It protects it from moisture and prevents damage. There are manufacturers that also make it UV-resistant.

Types of Label Printers

• Mobile – connected by Bluetooth, must be held in your hands, choose an ergonomic design, has memory for graphics and fonts, USB port for an additional connection, matches with big operating systems such as Windows, iOS and Android, has good drop rate and is water and dust-resistant;
• Desktop – prints quickly, has better picture quality, energy-efficient, equipped with a saving mode and intelligent leap-over, good for logistics, transportation, healthcare, aviation etc.;
• Shipping – great for shipping parcels, makes precise barcodes and labels;
• Inkjet – most common on the market, print in colour, precise, cost-effective, provide clear pictures at high speed, good for busy environments, the label won’t smudge or fade;
• Wireless – portable, needs a wireless connection to work, has an extra connection alternative, good for warehouses, posts and management facilities, won’t print in colour, goes with every major operating system;
• Industrial – very durable, budget-friendly, great for busy working environments, have LCD display for commands, easy to clean, maintain and operate.
• Wristband – made for printing wristbands for patients in hospitals, festivals, and concerts, easy to use, small and compact.