by Steve Hudgik
Labeling may seem to be a non-technical, ho-hum topic.
But then again, people purchase a label printer at
an office supply store; use the label tape that comes
with the machine; and wonder why their labels don’t
stay stuck.
Using the right label material and printer is important,
if you want your labels to last. When labeling in
an industrial facility, hospital, construction site
or for military applications, selecting the right
label material and printer becomes even more important
because of the potential for severe conditions. Labels
may need to withstand exposure to temperature extremes,
solvents, prolonged direct sunlight, vibration, changes
in lighting and abrasion.
Getting
the right label for the job that needs to be done
involves a number of components. A label tape has
three basic layers—the tape itself, the adhesive,
and in some cases a laminate layer—all of which
must be appropriate for the labeling job. The ribbon,
if one is used, must also be the appropriate ribbon.
In addition, there are a variety of printing methods
such as dot matrix, direct thermal and thermal transfer
printing. To make labels that last, you need to have
the appropriate combination of label material and
printing method.
Before selecting a label printer and labeling tapes,
there are several questions you should ask:
1) How will the labels be used?
2) Where will the labels be applied?
3) What kinds of label printer do I need?
How Will The Labels Be Used?
There are thousands of labeling applications ranging
from highly specialized label materials used for aviation,
to temporary labels used to mark work in progress.
Different industries have different labeling needs
and any one facility can have a multitude of labeling
applications. I can not begin to list all the possibilities
here. What you need to do, before purchasing a labeling
machine, is to list the labeling applications in your
facility. In other words, answer the question: What
do I need to label?
In compiling your list you may want to divide your
labeling requirements into categories that have similar
characteristics. Here are a few examples of special
types of label materials that are available:
Temporary Labels: Temporary labels are used
for short periods of time and then discarded or reused.
Paper labels with removable adhesive are an economical
choice, when the label will be discarded. Options
that allow you to reuse labels include magnetic labels,
static cling labels, and Repositionable labels. A
Repositionable label has adhesive similar to that
used on a Post-It Note. The label can be applied,
removed and used again.
Examples of temporary labels include identifying work
in progress, labeling on warehouse shelves or storage
bins, and labels created for conventions and trade
shows.
Permanent Labels: Label materials and adhesives
are designed for many different applications. Some
labels have very aggressive adhesive designed to last
4 to 5 years outdoors. Other labels have lighter adhesives
that are suitable for indoor applications. While both
types of labels are considered permanent, knowing
how the label will be used is important in selecting
the proper label material.
Low Temperature Labels: Label tapes and adhesives
are available that can be applied at low temperatures.
These labels may be used in cold weather, in cold
storage facilities and even to make labels applied
to items stored in liquid nitrogen. Low temperature
labels may be applied outdoors during winter, used
in laboratories or used in the food processing industry.
Curved Surfaces: Labels applied to curved
surfaces tend to come unstuck as the label tape attempts
to return to its original shape. Special adhesives
and materials, such as cast vinyl, are used to make
labeling tapes that will conform to curved surfaces
and not come loose.
Rough Surfaces: Most labels require a clean,
smooth, dry surface or they will not stay stuck. However,
sometimes it is necessary to apply labels to rough
or dirty surfaces. Special label materials, with a
thicker adhesive, are available for use on rough surfaces.
Label Color: Label material color is not a
very technical topic, but it is important. For example,
your labels may need to match corporate colors or
match and existing color coding system. Some label
printers come with supplies that have the color combinations
preset, such as black printing on a yellow label.
Others allow you to mix and match ribbons and tapes.
Where will the label be used?
In what environment will the label be used?
Knowing where the label will be used is crucial. The
environment in which the label will be applied is
a major factor in determining the type of label material.
Will the label be exposed to high temperatures, low
temperatures, or solvents? Will the label be used
in low light conditions - such as on utility poles
that might need to be identified at night? Here are
a few of the environmental factors that may affect
your choice of label material:
Will labels be used indoors or outdoors? Label
materials come in indoor grade and outdoor grade.
Outdoor grade materials are more resistant to sunlight,
rain and variations in temperature.
Will labels be exposed to water? Although
a label may be used indoors, it still may be exposed
to conditions that will cause the label to deteriorate.
For example, paper labels should not be used in locations
where they might get wet. Also, some inks used for
printing are water soluble and will smear when they
get wet.
Will labels be exposed to high or low temperatures?
In the section above I talked about labels that are
designed to be applied in low temperatures. In addition,
you need to take into consideration how the label’s
environment may change. A label applied to an outdoor
pipe during the summer may also have to survive a
very cold winter. For example, low temperatures can
cause some label adhesives to become brittle and fail.
High temperatures can cause some labels to become
discolored or blacked out. Label adhesives can be
softened and fail as a result of elevated temperatures.
Will labels be exposed to chemicals or solvents?
If labels are exposed to chemicals and solvents, then
chemical resistant tapes and inks must be used to
create the labels.
Will labels be exposed to oil or grease? Oil
and grease can damage some label materials and inks.
If the label will be exposed to oil or grease, the
label material and ink must be resistant to oil and
grease.
Low Light / No light Labels: What do you do
when the power goes out and employees and visitors
need information that helps them respond appropriately?
Glow-in-the-dark labels are an example of labels designed
for emergency situations. They allow information to
be displayed when there is a loss of lighting, such
as results from a power failure.
When low light conditions exist, reflective materials
make labels that are highly visible. Reflective labels
are also recommended when labels must be viewed from
a distance.
What kind of label printer do I need?
Selecting a label printer first depends on the type
and size of label material you need to print on. Not
all labelers can print on all types of materials,
or have all types of supplies available. Some labelers
are highly specialized. Others are generic and have
a variety of label materials available.
Here are the key questions to ask:
What size? (label width and length): What
size labels will you be printing? What is the minimum
and maximum width? What is the maximum length you
expect you'll need? (For example, 6 inches or 6 feet?)
In some cases there are codes or standards that specify
the label size required.
What colors? What color does do your labels
need to be? (Background color of the label tape.)
What color does the printing on the label need to
be? Do you need multiple color labels. Check to see
if there are labeling standards you'll need to follow.
For example, the IIAR standards for labeling ammonia
pipes specify colors that should be used for identifying
pipes. Some label printers have more color options
available than others.
Printing Method: Label printers are available
using a variety of printing technologies. Thermal
printing is the dominant printing method, although
a few dot matrix printers are still available.
There are two types of thermal printing: direct thermal
and thermal transfer.
In direct thermal printing the print head heats the
label tape and essentially “burns” the image
into the tape. Many cash registers use this type of
printing. This is a very low cost printing method
that is excellent for temporary labels.
With thermal transfer printing a ribbon is heated
to transfer ink to the label tape. Although various
resolutions are available, this type of printing can
produce high quality, durable labels. There are numerous
types of ribbons available for thermal transfer printing.
For example, you should use a chemical resistant ribbon
if the label will be exposed to solvents or chemicals.
Label Printer Size: Where will the labels
be used? If you need to do a lot of wire and cable
labeling, then purchasing several handheld label printers
may be the best option. Handheld machines allow installers
and technicians to take the label printer wherever
it is needed.
If you will need larger size labels, multicolor labels,
or labels cut into custom shapes, then a desktop printer
is the appropriate selection. Desktop machines have
greater capabilities, and can use larger tapes than
portable labelers.
What needs to be printed? You probably need
to print text. What fonts do you need? What size text?
How many lines of text on a label? Do you need to
print boxes around text? Do you need to print lines?
Do you need to print bar codes? Do you need to print
graphics? Are you printing the same standard graphic
over and over, or printing custom graphics?
In selecting a label printer you need to be sure
that the printer itself has the capabilities you need,
and that it has the supplies available to do the labeling
jobs you need to get done. Sometimes, when the labeling
requirements are simple and straightforward, selecting
the right label printer is easy. In other cases it
is best to discuss your labeling requirements with
a consultant, such as the labeling
experts at Graphic Products. When you match your
label print and supplies to your labeling requirements,
you’ll end up with long lasting labels that continue
to communicate year after year.
Steve Hudgik is the Internet Marketing Manager
for Graphic
Products, a leading supplier of industrial quality
label printers and supplies. Graphic Products stocks
printers and supplies made by DuraLabel, Brady, Kroy,
K-Sun, Brother, Varitronics, Dymo and other manufacturers.
