Labels 101 – basic label information to be used as a guide. There are exceptions to every rule!

• Width of label is usually stated first – then height
• 1/16” of liner is usually exposed on left and right edges of a die cut label
• 3/8” wide pinhole margins on pinfeed labels
• 5/32” diameter holes for pinfeed printer tractors
• 1/8” horizontal space between thermal labels
• 1/8” vertical space between thermal labels
• 1/16” horizontal space between pinfeed labels
• 1/10” vertical space between pinfeed labels
• Distance from top of one label to top of the next label is called “label repeat”

•  Fanfolded labels should have waste removed between labels at the fold.
• There will be a white line on butt cut labels when color bleeds off the top and bottom of the label.
• Fine type should not be printed using 4 color process – the best print quality is achieved by printing any solid type with a plate separate from the process printing.
• Adhesives typically don’t adhere well to water, frost, dust, wax or oil.
• Removable and cold temp adhesives are “softer” so will have more tendency to flow and ooze than permanent adhesives.
• Labels that will be automatically applied require extra attention to die cutting.

        See Labels – Continuing Education section for more details.

• Digital – Computer to print – used often for short runs
• Flexo – Most common print method for label manufacturing – uses flexible polymer plates that wrap around cylinders so print lengths can range from 1/8” to 24” or more on the same press
• Offset – More commonly used for forms than labels – uses metal plates and print lengths are fixed by the size of the press
• Screen – Often used for printing that must be durable for extended use – plates have pinpoint openings that allow thick ink to be squeeged through onto a label

• Ink colors are specified using the Pantone Matching System^® numbers.
• Pantone numbers have suffixes of C or U to designate the color on a Coated or Uncoated material because the surface of the label will affect the color. 
• There can be quite a difference in appearance between a specific PMS number printed on coated vs uncoated material.
• Thermal transfer paper is coated but not shiny so neither the coated nor uncoated PMS colors accurately simulate color on TT paper.
• It is possible to use special inks for –
  • extra strong colors
  • laser toner receptivity
  • thermal ribbon receptivity
  • heat resistance if a direct thermal image will be imprinted in the ink area
• Fluorescent and radiant refer to PMS801 through PMS814 colors.
  • These are just bright, eye-catching colors, they do not glow.
  • Fluorescent/radiant inks are double the cost of other ink colors.
  • Fluorescent inks fade faster than fluorescent material

• Varnish can be used to protect the printing and the label. It is important to know what you want protection from – scuffing, grease or chemical resistance, etc... There are many special formulas for specific protection needs.

See Labels – Continuing Education section for more details.

• Label cores are made of unbleached (brown) paper fibers and have 1/8” thick “walls”.
• Inside dimension (ID) refers to the opening of the core that will fit over a spindle. 
• Outside dimension (OD) refers to the diameter of the full roll of labels.  This is important when the labels will be used on a printer or applicating equipment.
• Common core IDs are 3” and 1”.
• Rolls of labels that will be hand applied are usually provided with 500 or 1,000 labels per roll.
• Rolls of labels can be provided without cores. This is not recommended when labels will be used on printers or equipment.
• Labels are usually attached to cores using glue or tape. 
• It is possible to attach labels to a core so that the last label releases from the core cleanly so that it is usable.
• Wind directions are specified using the drawing number on an industry standard wind direction chart. See Label Guides in this same drop down menu.

• Uncoated – open, porous surface, smudge-resistant, absorbs ink unevenly, very dull or matte finish. Not good if there are screens in the printed image.   
• Coated – may be matte, semi-gloss, gloss or high gloss coating, does not absorb inks readily
  • Any handwritten ink must be air dried to avoid smearing.
• Gloss – shiny surface coating on paper, may be semi-gloss or high gloss
  • Some brand names are Kromekote, Xtragloss
• Thermal transfer – a special matte coating is applied to the surface of paper to improve ribbon anchorage
• Direct thermal – special dyes that are heat activated are applied to the surface of paper. A protective coating may be applied over the dye to extend the usable (readable) life of the label. 
• Laser paper – may be uncoated, coated, matte, semi-gloss or high gloss. 

• Vinyl – the first film used for labels – often replaced by less costly films
• Polypropylene – BOPP – usually the least expensive film used for labels
• Polyester – PET – withstands high heat, tear resistant – very costly

See Labels – Continuing Education section for more details.

• Permanent – used when a label is not expected to be taken off after application
  • Some variations allow time to reposition a label within minutes after the initial application without affecting the ultimate bond.
  • Broad selection of adhesives dependent upon surface to which the label will be applied.
• Removable – used when a label will be taken off at some time after application
  • Broad selection of adhesive dependent upon surface to which the label will be applied and the length of time between application and removal.
  • Repositionable – used when a label will be applied, removed and reapplied.
  • Ultra-removable – used when it is imperative that the label remove cleanly and completely with no adhesive residue.  
• All-temp – used whenever the surface to which the label is applied will be within a broad range of temperature.
• Expected to perform as a permanent adhesive
• Some adhesives in this category may perform as removables at room temp.
• Cold temperature – used whenever the surface to which the label is applied is colder than 40^oF. 
  
  • More recently referred to as all-temp adhesive.
• Freezer  - used whenever the surface to which the label is applied is colder than 0^oF.
  
  • Freezer requirements are now often fulfilled using an all-temp adhesive.
• Pattern – refers to any ungummed area on a label, most often only in the lineal direction.
• Washaway/Dissolvable adhesives – adhesive will release completely from application surface using just a hot water wash.
• Repulpable – adhesive that can be put back through the papermaking process. This is very special. Most adhesives leave sticky balls if they go back into the paper “broke”.
• Recyclable – adhesive that allows the label to be reprocessed into similar material. This is very special and must be carefully selected.

• 40# or 2.5 mil – paper – most common - used for roll labels and thermal labels.
• 50# or 3.0 mil - paper – very common - on some film labels, and all pinfeed labels. 
• 100# - paper – uncommonly used when a sheet label must layflat but will not be imprinted through a printer.

• Direct thermal – computer printer that generates an image on a label using heat that activates a coating on the label surface
• Dot matrix – (old technology) creates an image when pins strike a ribbon causing ink to transfer to the label surface – usually requires pinfeed margins on labels
• Ink jet – image is created by liquid ink droplets on the label surface
• Laser – continuous – powder-like toner is fused onto a label surface, labels generally need pinfeed margins
• Laser – sheetfed – powder-like toner is fused onto a label surface, labels are usually 8 1/2” x 11” but can be other sizes
• Thermal transfer – image is created when heat melts wax or resin from a ribbon onto a label