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.

When selecting a supplier for your carton labeling application it is import 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 are lots of labeler manufacturers in the case, box and carton market space and 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.

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.

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.

The all new EPI M-Series

Smart, Small, Simple

· Compact design - Main Plate dimensions 6” x 8.5”

· Accepts 8”, 12” or 16” unwinds (12” standard)

· Modular design allows for limitless configurations of unwind/rewind

· Easily convertible from right to left hand orientation (approx. 15 minute change over)

· Standard speed 1200 in (30m)/min. (speeds up to 6,000in (150m) /min are optional)

· CE Compliant

· Color touch screen HMI

· Legendary EPI simplicity – Train operators in less the 10 minutes

· Designed for stand alone or machine integrated applications

· Standard web width 5”

· Optimized for direct apply, wipe-on and merge applications

· Remote mounted controls for ease of integration/operation

· Hard anodized Aluminum, Stainless Steel, UHMW and Urethane construction.

· Built in the USA

Get more information

This goes to an idea that hasn’t yet filtered to the old guard industries just yet. It is the concept that we need to bring our customers in, we need to share all the information we possibly can, tell them what we do, how we do it, and why we do it that way. We need to open up on our manufacturing technologies and show them our software methodologies. This builds comfort and confidence in our skills, in our technology and in our ability to meet their needs, when faced with the option of an inclusive process or buying a black box, which are they going to choose?

Let’s be honest, there just aren’t that many secrets left and patents are only as strong as your desire to defend them. The belief that you are protecting your market by withholding what you believe to be proprietary information is flawed, security by obscurity is dead, it costs sales and alienates customers. How do I know? Our new customer told me so.

We recently launched our new website, which I assume, brought you here to this, our first blog entry. Why a Blog? That’s a good question. The reason is to give our customers some insight into our company and equipment, occasionally we will post topics of a technical nature as well as updates on future products. Additionally, and maybe more importantly, we would like to solicit input from you on what issues you are seeing and what opportunities there may be to improve. For the last 29 years, EPI has worked hard to make our labelers the best performing, most durable labelers available, hopefully this blog serves to open an expanded dialog that provides us the tools to serve you better. -Randy Cotteleer - President - EPI Labelers