Choosing The Right Pressure-Sensitive Labeler

Pressure-Sensitive labeling, also known as self-adhesive labeling, is an efficient and cost-effective means of identifying and decorating products or packages. In every major industry, pressure-sensitive labels are applied to most types of containers at speeds matching many product or packaging lines.

The label consists of a face stock material, coated on one side with an active adhesive. The face stock material can be paper, plastic, foil, polyester, vinyl, or laminate and can be of varied thickness and weight.

The label is carried on a silicone-coated backing paper or film to allow easy release on demand. The backing paper is of translucent composition so that the label can be identified by photocell scanning for automatic application. The substrate weight, adhesive and the adhesive thickness are formulated for many application requirements. The label adhesive can have characteristics such as permanent, removable, cold temperature-resistant, or watersoluble.

Pressure-Sensitive labels are supplied in sheet, roll or fanfold forms. Roll form, with a predetermined specification for automatic application, is favored for easy and efficient handling. Among the printing processes used to produce roll-form labels are flexography, thermal transfer, ion deposition, gravure, rotary silkscreen, rotary letterpress or a combination.

In North America alone, there are thousands of label printing companies including many that specialize in producing labels for use on automatic pressure-sensitive labeling equipment.

The availability of pressure-sensitive labels has enabled machinery designers to produce labeling equipment, which is fast, efficient, simple to operate, and service, and accurate in label placement. The machines are economical to purchase, require no extensive change parts, and are cost effective in production.