With such as vast majority of packaging options on the market for labeling applications on containers, boxes and cases, industries such as the pharmaceutical, neutraceutical, personal healthcare, cosmetic, food and beverage, household chemical as well as computer hardware and software turn to labeling manufacturers for machines that can speed-up efficiency in the production process. High speed label applicators and labeling machines do just that. Information contained on labels are crucial to consumers determining specific information about the product to make the best purchases decision. Label applicator machines vary given the type of product and packaging required.

Packaging can vary in an assortment of sizes, shapes, colors and materials, making placement of information contained on the label critical. The machine selected for applying these labels on the packaging item is also critical based on what and where the information is placed. Below is a breakdown of some of the packaging needed based on product and what details to look for in a labeling machine.

Shrink Packaging:

Cheese and candy are a few items contained in shrink packaging that often is contained in plastic bags. Flexible packaging machinery, allows for flexible labeling where bags are manufactured on a vertical form fill and seal equipment, ensuring accuracy of label placement. Flexible packing machinery allows adjustability so the labels can be placed on the top or end of packages. Seek designs that can include a labeler for horizontal wrappers and pouches as well.

Carton or Case:

Bakery, dried fruit, nuts, deli supplied in boxes and containers are used for a carton or case packaging. Multi-panel labelers are for most case erectors and cartoners in today’s markets. Opt for a labeling system that side, front and top for label applications. The labeling applicators can be integrated with a printer for batch, product, logo or bar code information that is contained on the printed label.

Clamshell Container:

These types of containers are often used for fresh produce as well as breads, buns, english muffins and other baked goods. Machines sought after are engineered to gently and accurately place the brand name, nutritional information, promotional details, date, batch code and price accurately on the packaging. Labeling machines required typically have a split conveyor utilized for dispensing a label to the top, side, and bottom of a clamshell container. Continents should be contained in the clamshell container while on the conveyor, which in turn is sent to the labeler machine where the label is applied to the package. Look for a dual wipe mechanism that can firmly secure the label.

More information for labeling and inserting applications can be found at http://www.epilabelers.com/labeling-inserting-applications.

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 import 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.

We are constantly e-mailing or faxing copies of these label wind charts to our customers, now they are available to everyone in .PDF format.  Click here to download.  It is also available under the support section of our homepage www.epilabelers.com