Boxes, cartons, cases, totes…all refer to the class of packages defined by rigid construction and rectangular form. They range from the most basic corrugated box to full color, slick-coated primary packages. Cartons are relatively easy to control and due to their rigidity and consistent shape, label application is pretty straight forward. This does not mean that it is not without difficulty. Case and carton labeling is one of the most common applications for automated labeling equipment, and also requires the largest variation of application styles. Vac/blow, tamp, corner wrap, multi-panel and their various combinations all have their place, the trick is to determine which one fits your needs the best. In addition to application type there is the question of whether or not the label will be pre-printed or will require a Print and Apply Labeler.

When selecting a supplier for your carton labeling application it is important to know the answer to several questions. Which panel is the label to be applied to? (Top, side, front or a combination) How many cartons do I need to label in a given time? (Higher speed applications may rule out print and apply equipment) If the application calls for a print and apply Labeler, do I need label design software? Does it need to integrate with software or systems I already have in place?

There is a multitude of labeler manufacturers in the case, box and carton market space.  Prices, specifications, experience and quality vary dramatically, choose several to talk to, quiz them on their experience and ask for referrals that closely match your needs.

Our discussion of labeling from the package’s perspective begins with flexible packaging. Flexible packaging is largely comprised of bags, overwraps and pouches. These packages are generally constructed of roll film on either a Vertical/Form/Fill/Seal machine (VFFS), Horizontal/Form/Fill/Seal (HFFS) also called an overwrapper or flowwrapper, and a Pouch Forming Machine.

Because of their “flexible” nature, flexible packages present several labeling challenges. Once the package is made, control becomes the biggest obstacle to a successful label application.  By their very nature; flexible packages do not lend themselves to being held and located accurately, and do not present a smooth surface for the label to adhere to. The result tends to be a skewed and wrinkled label. This type of stand-alone labeling system is sometimes, due to production constraints, the only option available. With proper design and forethought stand-alone systems can provide acceptable results, but will generally not provide the best option.

A properly engineered Flexible Packaging Labeler integrates tightly to its parent machine, whether it is a VFFS, HFFS or a pouch. It applies the label while the package is being formed, providing the label a smooth, rigid, controlled place to land. The labeler should be rigidly mounted to the parent machine and, when done properly, the end user can expect accuracy of better than +/- 1/32”.

When working to determine which labeler supplier to go with, the best possible resources are the bagmaker companies themselves, ask them who they have worked with in the past and which companies they recommend. When talking to the labeler company ask if they have experience with your particular bagmaker or overwrapper, do they have any installations near you, and can they provide referrals to companies with applications very similar to yours?

Packaging designers have afforded industry with a dizzying array of packages to hold our products. The proliferation of bags, boxes, shells, tubs, bottles and pouches allow our products to stand out, blend in, hold shape, pack tighter, seal, reseal, breathe in and exhale. Combined with the thousands of options available to decorate the package, the millions of combinations can soon leave your head spinning.

It’s about the application

Our expertise is in labeling, and as such we are constantly scanning the market for innovations so that when our customers come to us to apply a label or a coupon to their new packages we are ready and capable to meet their needs. It is important that the end user has a working knowledge of the different types of labeling equipment and application methods so that they can make an informed choice when seeking a production labeler supplier. In the next few posts we are going to talk about labeling from the package perspective. We will answer the questions: What are the specific needs of a given package type? How do I assess the expertise of a supplier for a given package? And what are the various advantages of “stand-alone” vs. “integrated” solutions. Stay tuned.