Each individual bakery can decide if they want to buy the labels blank and print on them with their own printers or have them preprinted with their own set of colors, pictures, text, and/or barcodes.  Bakery’s can also choose from several types of label material.  If they need their labels to be tear resistant and withstand water, the bakery would most likely choose some sort of synthetic label.  Synthetic labels are a non paper material that are much more durable than paper.  Synthetic labels, like paper labels, can be produced blank or preprinted with any color on the PMS color chart.  The downside to synthetic labels in the food industry is that they are more expensive and are not usually necessary for most storage facilities and grocery or retail stores.  Paper labels are more common in the food industry because they are less expensive than a synthetic material and are capable of withstanding the mild dry facilities that they are usually stored or found in. 

A lot of bakery’s like to do a combination of printing their own labels but also having a certain amount of constant text preprinted on the same labels.  This preprinting is done at the label manufacturing facility that the bakery employs and they will then use a label material that is compatible with the bakery’s printers.  For example, if a bakery sells cookies, cakes, and bread, they could buy their labels with their logo and ingredients for each of these particular products already printed on the label and then stick the sheets or rolls of the preprinted labels into their own thermal or inkjet/laser printers and print pricing, expiration dates, and/or quantity information onto the labels as well. 

The bakery can also utilize several different methods of applying their preprinted labels onto their products.  Bigger bakery’s will most likely use auto apply machines that manually apply labels to the selected products as they flow down a conveyor belt or assembly line of some sort.  Some label applicators have a built in thermal printer that allows the label to be printed and applied to the product in one process.  Other label applicators just hold a roll of preprinted labels and apply them as needed.  Other smaller organizations will simply hand apply each label to its matching product.  Another method used in the food industry is a label dispenser.  Label dispensers hold a roll of labels and are either manual or power operated.  On a power operated dispenser, the user simply taps a foot pedal or presses a button and the dispenser spits out one label and can also have the ability to remove the label from its liner.  After the dispenser removes the label from the liner, it is ready to be applied to the product.  On a manual label dispenser, the user pulls one or more labels through the edge and tears them off accordingly.  Bakeries along with all other confectionary organizations have lots of choices and options when it comes to labeling all of their products.

The first way this can be accomplished is by creating a domed nameplate. A domed nameplate is created using a revolutionary technique that presents a visually appealing look that is also pleasing to the touch. An optically clear polyurethane encapsulation radiating over a meticulously printed graphics yields a three-dimensional emblem that will add enhanced value to your product, service, or organization. A custom 3d dome labels’ construction consists of a liner, adhesive, substrate, printing, and polyurethane dome.

Some of the benefits to this type of label is its durability because it is scratch resistant, will never discolor or yellow, and still visually appealing to potential clients. It is also available in a wide variety of colors and shapes. These domes can be laser cut with 90-degree edges or just have a traditional domed finish. They can be coated to have a matte finish or have a very shiny and vibrant finish. The custom 3d dome labels can be adhered to a wide variety of products.

A badge is another example. A badge is created by allowing any unique shape to be transformed into a contoured three dimensional badge produced in high quality, durable polyurethane. Highly flexible badges can be used on virtually any surface: flat, contoured, or compound without the need or cost of retooling. Badge durability meets the strictest of automotive standards and may be used indoors or outdoors. The construction of a badge consists of a liner, foam adhesive, and part.

Benefits include patented technology, flexibility, resiliency-indoor/outdoor applications, multiple color choices, ideal injection molding alternative, and provides a professional 3D badge that you can’t get out of a label. These badges can be used on signs outside of your organization, in the hallways of your organization, or even on company products that will be shipped to various locations.

A heavy-duty armored nameplate creates an ultra-high definition embossment to provide tactile reference to the logo and complements the complexity and definition of any design. These nameplates are suitable for indoor and outdoor use meeting the strictest of automotive standards. They are also available in multi-colored applications, transparent and opaque inks as well as textured chrome, gold, and silver. These armored nameplates are constructed of with a liner, adhesive, metal, printing, and ultra thin proprietary armor coating.

Benefits include durability, high definition embossment, indoor/outdoor applications, and a wide variety of colors.

Virtually every automotive manufacturer, power tool manufacturer, and motor sport organization in the world is currently using this type of labeling. A lot of other organizations use this type of labeling to market their products at sporting events, concerts, festivals, trade shows, and anywhere you can possibly image seeing an advertisement. Wherever you choose to use these custom 3d dome labels, you should know that these unique labels would have what it takes to catch the eye of your target consumer and give your company the high-end professional look you have been looking for.

Floodcoating a label means that a label is produced with a particular color of the consumers’ choice.  This color can be virtually any color you can think of.  A label manufacturer will take the color that their customer wants and match it to the Pantone color chart.  This chart shows you some of the colors available in the Pantone rainbow.  All the colors in the Pantone color chart are classified with a number that represents each color.  The colors can be used on any type of label as well, whether it’s a polyester, polypropylene, hi-gloss, semi-gloss, direct thermal, or thermal transfer.  You can also have these colors printed on any size of label that you can imagine.

The finishing of the labels can be on rolls or on sheets. Labels on rolls can be spiced up with any of the colors on the chart above. Another way to spice up your new floodcoated labels would be to use a colored ribbon.  Please remember that this option is only available with a thermal transfer label.  You can find several different colored ribbon options through various suppliers.  Some common ribbon colors available are black, cyan, magenta, yellow, red, maroon, green, light blue, dark blue, gray, metallic gold, lemon yellow, orange, wine, shamrock green, forest green, white, royal blue, midnight blue, violet, brown, and metallic silver.  Printing colored text on a colored label will add style and flair to your labels.

There is a caution to doing this though. If you print on a floodcoated label with a colored ribbon, and you want to have a barcode on that label, then make sure the colors are contrasted enough to make a clear reflection. There is a risk that the barcode will not be readable. This is because a barcode image works when the laser light from the scanner reflects back from the label into the scan engine of the scanner. If you have a dark blue label and a black barcode on it, there will not be enough contracts to read the barcode.

Many customers have tried to use color floodcoated labels to date code product as it is received into the warehouse, providing a quick visual reference on what inventory is aged. This is a useful method when there is a lot of floor stock that is hard to move around and rotate based on first in- first out. A quick color-coding can help.

Another caution with floodcoated labels has to do with direct thermal labels. There have been occasions when certain colors have created a dragging effect on small desktop printers like the Zebra 2844 or other clamshell printers. If your application is for a 1” core, 4” OD direct thermal floodcoat label, then be careful of the color you choose. Our research has shown that lighter colors work better in these printers. The darker the color, the higher the risk will be for the printer to jam. This is okay though because the lighter the label, the better chance a barcode will be read.

Floodcoating laser labels have never been a problem and we do not see issues running darker colors through a laser printer. The manufacturing process is the same as the roll labels. The only real difference in the process is the finishing. Laser labels are sheeted and not put back on rolls. This also requires a shrink-wrapping process to keep the sheets in nice neat stacks.

Laser labels come on 8.5 x 11 inch standard sheets and in legal size 8.5 x 14 sheets and with all kinds of different die cuts for the actual label sizes. So with any size label available and with any Pantone color for your label, the only thing missing from your perfect label is your creativity being applied. So, order up and have fun with color labels.

First, you need to identify all the equipment and supplies that a successful inventory system requires. The most important thing to do is find a supplier that can provide and help implement ALL of the appropriate equipment. After you have identified your supplier and explained your application, they will be able to recommend the appropriate inventory software. Your software will hold all of your product part numbers and inventory quantities. This software will also allow you to produce and print a barcode that contains a human readable description of your product name and part number along with a barcode that you can scan in or out of inventory. There are many price ranges for inventory software and it is all based on how extensive the software needs to be with your existing system.

The second thing you will need in this process is a barcode scanner that is compatible with your software. This scanner will be used to scan the barcode label that has been applied to the product that is going to enter or leave your facility. You will add or remove this product from your inventory by scanning it with your new scanner. Your supplier will determine what scanner is right for you after examining your particular application. Choices will be between wireless or tethered scanners. If wireless is the choice, then there is a decision between live wireless or batch wireless devises based on whether the data needs to be live or not.

A barcode label printer will be the next piece of equipment that you will need. You will need to connect this printer to the particular network that includes your inventory software to be able to print inventory labels. This can be done via Ethernet (wirelessly) or by cable. Again, your supplier will be able to help you determine what type of printer is right for your application. There are desk-top printers, table top printers, and print engines for print and apply machines to choose from.

Printer media is now going to be your focus. You must determine what size of label you want to put on your products. Does this label need to be weather resistant? Is it going to be exposed to harsh environments such as chemical exposure or physical abuse? Does it need to be preprinted with a company logo? After you have answers to these questions, your equipment supplier will be able to recommend the appropriate material for your labels. A thermal transfer label will require a ribbon to be used in your printer. In case you’re wondering, a thermal transfer label relies on the heat from the print head to melt the wax from a ribbon that must be installed into your printer. A direct thermal label relies on the heat from the print head to apply the heat directly to the label and burn the image into the label itself. Direct thermal labels are more expensive because they don’t require a ribbon but they tend to fade and discolor over time when exposed to warmer conditions. Thermal transfer barcode labels are less expensive but requires the purchase of ribbon to be used in the printer.

One accessory that is not vital but may turn out handy is a label rewinder. A label rewinder is used to rewind and roll the labels onto a core as they come out of the printer. If you will be printing thousands of labels, a label rewinder would be a valued asset to your application because it would organize all of your labels onto a roll until you are ready to use them. This is also a piece of equipment that your supplier can provide. Label rewinders come set up for three inch cores, one inch cores, or can be found with an adjustable core holder that allows the most flexibility.

In conclusion, this is a basic blueprint on how to turn an inventory system vision into a reality. By following these simple steps, your company can enjoy all the benefits of a properly functioning inventory system that will save valuable time and in this day and age, time is money!!!!!

If you want to purchase the sticker blank and print on it yourself, you need to make sure the sticker is compatible with your particular printers. You will need to know whether the barcoded stickers are direct thermal (when the image is created by direct heat from the print head as opposed to a ribbon) or thermal transfer (when the image is created by the melting of wax, wax/resin, or resin from the ribbon onto the sticker from the print head heat). There are also high gloss and semi gloss options. High gloss is a very bright and shiny material that gives your sticker a flashier look. Semi gloss is basically the same with just a bit less shine.

If they need a stronger, more durable sticker, polyester would be a wise choice because its’ properties make it highly water, UV, scratch, and chemical resistant. Companies could then put these on products that will be stored outside or in harsh environments that include chemical exposure and physical abuse because polyester also won’t tear near as easily as paper. Please be advised that if you decide to thermal transfer print these on your own, you will need to use a wax/resin or full resin ribbon. This is because a regular wax ribbon will not adhere well to the polyester and will smear right off. The wax/resin ribbon and full resin ribbon require more heat from the print head and bonds more effectively to the polyester.

Adhesives are another important aspect of the sticker. Here are some adhesive options to keep in mind. Permanent adhesive is the most common adhesive because most people intend for their stickers to stay attached to the products they adhere them to. However, some companies may want their stickers to be removable. Removable adhesive is also available for different types of applications. Another option is an ultra removable adhesive. This adhesive not only allows the sticker to be easily removed but also allows it to be reapplied to other surfaces. For applications that require strict adherence, there is an aggressive adhesive option. Once a barcoded sticker that is equipped with aggressive adhesive is applied, it is very difficult to remove it especially without destroying the sticker. This option is great for long term and stationary labeling.

You will need to consider perforations. Some companies run their stickers through a label applicator. Stickers that go through a label applicator must not have a perforation because the applicator is very sensitive and the suction that is used to take the sticker from the liner could tear at the perforation or the suction could escape through the holes in the perforation. A perforation is also a little bit more expensive so companies can avoid perforation charges by avoiding a perforated sticker. Perforations are suggested though if you need to separate stickers easily. They make it much easier to detach a sticker from the printer.

Here are a few good printer suggestions if you choose to print your own barcoded stickers. If your company needs a professional looking hi gloss or semi gloss label, they should consider a Primera LX400 or LX810. This is a full color inkjet printer that is capable of printing hi quality colored stickers. The LX400 can print stickers from 1 inch wide to 4.25 inches wide by 24 inches long and has a print resolution of 4800 dpi (Dots per inch). The LX810 is the same printer except it can print sticker from 1.5 inches wide to 8.25 by 24 inches long and also has a print resolution of 4800 dpi. There is also a matte finish sticker that works with this printer. Zebra and Datamax provide some quality printers for hi quantity and low quantity sticker runs. Zebra’s TLP and LP series printers are desktop models that are for short quantity sticker runs and they also have a XiIII series for hi quantity sticker runs. Datamax offers the E-class desktop model that is great for short quantity sticker runs and the I-class model for hi quantity sticker runs.

No matter what type of barcoded sticker your company is looking for, there are plenty of solutions in the sticker and barcode industry today. Just contact a sticker manufacturer and they will be able to explain all the possibilities that are included in this article and many more.

You can actually have your company colors, logos, and any other information you need preprinted right on your inkjet and laser labels. This eliminates all the headaches of trying to figure out how to print the standard information that you want to be included on all of your shipping labels. This gives companies’ the ability to have their own personal branding on anything that is shipped out of their warehouses.

Imagine being able to put a laser label that has all your company information on everything that ships out of your doors. These kinds of preprinted laser labels can be produced to fit any size product and can be made of several different types of paper or polyester depending on their own particular application.

Certain types of these laser labels can also be equipped to withstand extreme temperatures, weather conditions, and physical abuse. Label companies also have several different types of adhesives from aggressive permanent adhesive to ultra removable. This will allow you and your company to put a laser label on a product that cannot be removed without destroying the label and put labels on products that can be easily removed.

Preprinted labels can also be produced to fit and run in virtually any printer your company uses from thermal transfer to a dot matrix printer. They can be sent to your location on rolls, fanfolded, or laser sheets. Preprinted labels can be produced with a semi gloss or high gloss finish, thermal transfer or direct thermal, and several different types of film such as polyester or polypropylene. There are also protective laminations that can be applied for UV or water protection. Your company can combine any of these types of labels to an adhesive that they feel would work best for their own applications.

Custom preprinted labels, whether they are on rolls, laser sheets, or fanfolded can be a valuable asset for companies who want their logos and information to be recognized on the products they ship to their customers and can also be recognized by the label that is on the box that these products are shipped in. Try preprinted laser labels to enhance your product and company image.

Companies can choose between a paper and a polyester material. This decision will depend on a few different factors. One factor is how much water or condensation is going to be exposed to the particular freezer label. A paper freezer label is designed to adhere to a product at temperatures above –20 degrees Fahrenheit and will withstand temperatures all the way down to –65 degrees Fahrenheit. It is also designed to stay dry for the most part. The paper is still going to have little water resistance meaning that if it is exposed to too much water, then its properties will break down and it will tear. These are a good choice for companies that know their products will not be exposed to moisture, condensation, and physically rough conditions. Smooth and solid surfaces like cardboard and plastic are ideal for paper freezer labels.

Another factor is how much abuse the label is going to be subjected to. If a company has a product that will be shipped several times, exposed to water or moisture, and made out of a flimsy material, then a polyester material may be the correct route. A polyester film will not tear near as easily as the paper material and is water resistant, meaning the polyester film properties will not be compromised when exposed to water and moist conditions. It will also withstand more abuse such as rubbing against other products and dropping of the product because it is a stronger material. The polyester film is also more flexible than paper making it more ideal for flimsy products such as plastic bags.

This material can be produced on rolls or sheets for your inkjet and laser printer. This material can also be preprinted in full color to include company logos and/or product information. These labels can also be preprinted with company logos and/or information and still be run through your printers to print any other information you may want included on the labels. The sheeted labels can also be custom made to any size your company demands. There are also several stock sizes that are available in the label industry.

Most freezer labels in the laser label format are on 8.5×11 inch sheets. If a 4×6 label is needed, they are also available with 4 to a sheet on 8.5×14 sheet or legal size paper. If rolls are what you need for a thermal transfer printer, these freezer labels come on 1” cores and 3” cores. Most of your stock laser or thermal transfer labels will work for these applications as long as they are applied at room temperature. The key is to know what temperature the product will be when the label is applied. If it is at room temperature and the label is applied, then put into the freezer, the regular stock material will work down to -4 degrees Fahrenheit. Room temperature is really anything that is warmer then 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

A Common use for these freezer labels is in a deli or food preparation department, where food is prepared and then frozen for later use. Food service companies commonly use these labels to mark the product name, key dates, weight and any branding or marketing information that will help with the product recognition. Chefs are using these labels to mark ingredients and food preparation. Freezer grade labels are great for dry ice environments as well.

The key to knowing if you need freezer labels is all about the temperature. Know the temperature the label is applied at, and the lowest temperature the product will be in and that will tell you if you need freezer labels or regular stock labels.

Label applicators allow people to put a quantity of labels into the applicator and it applies these labels to the product. These applicators are easy to install and offer many accessories to choose from. One typical accessory is a choice between a table top stand that will allow the applicator to be placed on a table or a more precise H-Base stand which is designed just like the letter H allowing the stand to straddle objects.

The hand cranked height adjustable H-base stand allows for extremely precise height adjustment, while providing stability, and allowing the applicator to be used with a conveyor or other automated system. This is required if the applicator is to be used with the external unwinder or rewinder.

These label applicators can utilize other accessories like product sensor timers which are used to delay the application process, a warning beacon which functions as a visual display for printer and applicator errors, a product sensor which functions as an automatic trigger device that sends a start signal to the applicator, a foot switch that functions as a manual trigger that sends a start signal to the applicator when it is pressed, and an external unwinder or rewinder that accommodates various size outside diameter rolls of label stock and allows for quick replacement of media. This accessory requires a H-base type stand.

Usaully on label applicators the accessories are sold separately so users have the ability to purchase as many extra accessories as they wish. Most applicator units come with one tamp pad to the size of your choice and you can purchase extra pads. A service support package is usually offered with a label applicator and highly recommended. This provides assurance to the user that if anything goes wrong, the manufacture will fix it.

A tamp-blow unit applies the label by blowing the labels onto the product with the use of air. This method would be highly recommended in the food and confectionery industries because they can use these applicators to quickly apply labels to their delicate food products like bread labels or bakery labels without smashing the contents. This feature is also great to use in the electronics industry with circuit board labels. The tamp-blow units usually require around 75 to 90 psi.

The tamp unit just presses the label onto the product with pressure and not air so this unit would be used to apply labels to a harder more durable product like shipping boxes and bottled products.

The tabletop model is designed more to straddle a conveyor and apply the label to the top of the product as it passes under the table. The H-stand allows the customer to adjust the height of the applicator to the exact height of their particular application. This also gives user more freedom in choosing where the label gets applied to the product. Some manufactures also offer label software that is designed to work perfectly with the printer applicator set up.

The addition of a label applicator can be of huge benefit to companies that need to apply large amounts of custom product labels to their product lines. This addition will eliminate all the man hours that are being wasted by employees hand applying labels at a much slower speed than an applicator can apply them. This allows employers to use their employees for more important tasks and provides a much more efficient production pace.

o 1.1 – EXPLOSIVES 1.1
o 1.2 – EXPLOSIVES 1.2
o 1.3 – EXPLOSIVES 1.3
o 1.4 – EXPLOSIVES 1.4
o 1.5 – EXPLOSIVES 1.5
o 1.6 – EXPLOSIVES 1.6
o 2.1 – FLAMMABLE GAS
o 2.2 – NONFLAMMABLE GAS
o 2.3 – POISON GAS
o 3 – FLAMMABLE LIQUID
o 4.1 – FLAMMABLE SOLID
o 4.2 – SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTIBLE
o 4.3 – DANGEROUS WHEN WET
o 5.1 – OXIDIZER
o 5.2 – ORGANIC PEROXIDE
o 6.1 – POISON INHALATION HAZARD (zone A or B)
o 6.1 – POISON (other than inhalation hazard)
o 6.2 – INFECTIOUS SUBSTANCE
o 7 – RADIOACTIVE WHITE-I
o 7 – RADIOACTIVE YELLOW-II
o 7 – RADIOACTIVE YELLOW-III
o 7 – EMPTY (empty packages of radioactives)
o 8 – CORROSIVE
o 9 – CLASS 9

D.O.T. shipping labels are available for all of these categories. These shipping labels are 4”x 4” and come on rolls of 500, have semi gloss face stock, permanent adhesive, and come on a 1” inch core. They also have the ability to custom make these labels to have a special blank white region to write your own personal messages or instruction on. This region does not come on the stock labels. It has to be requested and it can be requested blank or with a message preprinted. If your application calls for a little more durable label, there are several material solutions for you. They can offer several different films such as polyester, kimdura, and polypropylene. These materials will withstand water, chemicals, UV rays, and other environmental factors that paper will not. These special materials are not stock and would have to be custom made. They would also have a 7-10 business day lead time. FedEx and UPS both offer shipping methods for hazardous material. They also offer guides that explain their rules and regulations for shipping these products. Shipping hazardous material can be quick and easy as long as the appropriate steps are taken. Knowing how to ship hazardous material the correct way is important. Please pass this information to those that are interested in this topic.

Please remember that colored ribbon may need a little more heat than black so if it looks faded, simply turn the heat settings up on your printer.

There are also printers on the market that use multiple ribbons to achieve a multi color label on one pass through the barcode printer. One of the most popular are the QLS printers. These printers allow you to put up to 4 color thermal transfer ribbons into the machine and print 4 colors onto a label with clean registration. Good for small jobs where plates can be really expensive or you have a variable image and graphics on each label.

Color thermal transfer ribbons add that distinctive quality to your labels. Many pharmaceuticals companies use them and change colors every month so they can know the date of product by visually looking at the color of the print on the labels.

We have also seen these used in companies that re-certify equipment. The application lets the managers know which shipment is to go out first and which equipment is not selling. The customer marks each months load with a different color print on the label. By checking the colors, there is a quick visual to tell how old the inventory is.

You can find these ribbons and a full line of all of our products at www.adazonusa.com. If you have any questions about our colored thermal transfer ribbon or any of our products, give us a call at 847-235-2700.