What is a “Corner Radius”? Do I need one?

April 20th, 2010

 

 ”Corner Radius”(CR) describes how rounded the corners are on a rectangular die-cut.  The term “corner radius” refers to the radius of the circle created by extended the corner arc to form a complete circle.

What is an RCR?

Rounded Corner Rectangle.  Describes a rectangle with a corner radius greater than 0.0 (the radius of a square corner).   

Why Do Labels Have a Corner Radius?

1)       The need for high speed automatic label application led to Pressure Sensitive Labels - labels with adhesive already on them adhered to a carrier liner.  The liner is pulled across a sharp edge, causing the label to dispense onto the container.  A square cornered label does not release as easily from a PS liner - thus corner radius is used to help ease automatic application. 

2)      Graphic Designers will often choose rounded corners or square corners to enhance a design concept.  For example, many wine labels have square corners to evoke the look of old-school cut and glue labels.  Other designers use large radius rounded corners to differentiate their products on the shelf against traditional 1/8″ corner radius labels.

 How do I measure the Corner Radius of a label?corner-radius1

Click the thumbnail on the right to open a full page Corner Radius Chart.  Print the page and hold the label against the corner radius examples until you find a match.

   What Corner Radius should I use?

This is a matter of preference.  The packaging industry standard is 1/8″ corner radius.  This size radius is not unsightly, but allows ease of manufacturing and application.  For customers desiring “square corners” we often recommend 1/64″ (0.015625″) as the smallest CR we can consistently convert.  For machine application projects Custom Label recommends consulting your production team or contract packager before purchasing labels with less than a 1/8″ CR. 

 

 

 

Posted in Custom Label, Digital Label Printing, Flexo Labels, Labels 101, Technical Articles | Comments Off

So You Only Need 100 Labels???

November 4th, 2009

At Custom Label, we cheer for small businesses and start-ups!  Sure, we love our big customers too, but it’s great to see a new company knock it out of the park.  We were all a “small fry” at one point, right?  With Custom Label’s digital printing capabilities we ar often approached by pre-market start-ups wanting to produce their first labels.  Each week we are approached with the question “How much for 100 labels?”  Or 50, or 10, or….  This blog entry is devoted to answering the question:  “When is an order too small?”

At the risk of answering with a question, “How much can you spend per label?”.  We can print an order of just 1 label, but the cost for that 1 label will be very high.  At Custom Label, we have state-of-the-art digital printing cabilities, very economical for printing small runs.  That press, however, is not a simple machine.  For all of our orders we must “prep” the art, obtain customer approval of the proofs, calibrate the press, print the labels in roll form, and die-cut and laminate them in a second machine.  You can see how the labor hours add up even on a small order.  For that reason it is common that the total order cost doesn’t vary much for orders under 1,000 labels.  The chart below shows this concept.  Buying 500 labels only costs an extra $15 versus an order of 100! 

price-breaks1

For this hypothetical label, the pricing for 100 Labels is $3,600/M (per 1,000 labels) or $360 for the order.  Most of the cost is set-up of the machinery.  For 500 Labels, the cost is $750 /M or $375 for the total order.  Once the machine is setup and running, it doesn’t cost that much more for 5 times as many labels.  As quantities grow, however, the setup costs are “amortized” and the material costs and run labor become more important.  See how the 5,000 Label run drops to $ 130 / M, or only $650 for the total order?

 

What do I do if I really only need 100 Labels?

It all depends on the goal of your label.  If your label is going to the boardroom to show your CEO a mock-up of your product, by all means a professional label is needed.  Custom Label can produce a 1st Class prototype label for you.  But what if you only need 100 labels to test our your new product at a local Swap Meet or Famer’s Market?  Here are some less expensive solutions:

Desktop Printer Label Sheets:  The major office supply stores all carry label sheets in many sizes for printing on your desktop inkjet or color laser printer in both paper and film versions.  The printing will sub-professional and the materials will be inferior, but may be fine for your simple requirements. 

Specialty Label Printers:  Office supply stores also sell simple inkjet and thermal printers from manufacturers like Dymo and Brother, that plug into your computer.  They are limited in the size of label media they can print and most only print with Black.  Many simple printers like these are under $150 - but the consumable costs can be very expensive.

Industrial Thermal Transfer Label Printers:  If your label requirements are significant and black printing is acceptable you can purchase an industrial thermal transfer machine.  These high-end desktop printers plug into your computer, and are controlled by specialty software.  Up to 1200 dpi printing can be obtained, but be ready to spend several thousand dollars on hardware and software.

Give us a call at Custom Label and we can help you decide the best path for your labels.  Even if you use one of the alternatives above to get started, Custom Label will be ready to jump in when your quantities climb and you need a High Quality label solution!

Posted in Custom Label, Digital Label Printing, Entrepreneur's Corner, Labels 101, Penny Pinching | 1 Comment »

Copy Position and Why it Matters!

November 3rd, 2009

If you are searching for a supplier of Custom Labels, you will hear the terms “Copy Position”, “Unwind Direction”, or “orientation”. What is it, and why does it matter? The simple answer is that Copy Position is a visual representation of how the label is oriented on the roll of labels. For Hand-Applied labels, copy position usually doesn’t matter - but for Automatically Applied labels the wrong copy position can shut down production! When a machine applies the label, the production line is often only set up to To help you understand this, we should talk about how label applicators work.

For pressure-sensitive labels, the adhesive-backed label adheres to a “carrier” or “liner” that is coated with silicone. When the liner is pulled around a straight edge, the label wants to “shoot” off the edge. That is how automatically applied labels are dispensed. Here is a picture of a label applicator head:
Typical Label Applicator

The label web is pulled over the Peel Plate, and labels are dispensed off the edge. What does this have to do with Copy Position? This Label Applicator Head is usually above or beside a production conveyor. As product moves buy the label is shot out onto the bottle, vial, or box. So the orientation of the label artwork in relation to the product is critical. With the wrong Copy Position, the label might be upside down on the container!

Let’s look at the Industry Standard Copy Position Chart:

Copy Position Chart

So how do you know what Copy Position you need? If your company does it’s own labeling, check with your production team. The equipment they use should be specified for a Copy Position. If you utilize a Contract Packager or private label manufacturer, give them a call. They will often have a Copy Position specification for each type of product they manufacture. You can always call Custom Label and ask for any Customer Service Representative. We are ready to help you with your labeling needs!

Posted in Custom Label, Entrepreneur's Corner, Labels 101, Technical Articles | 2 Comments »

Custom Label: ISO 9001:2008 Certified !

July 11th, 2009

It began with the goal of updating the company’s quality system. That simple goal evolved into a comprehensive charter to improve all areas of our business. Each department in the company participated -finding better ways to satisfy our customers. Countless hours and nearly one year later, ABS Quality Evaluations conducted an on-site audit and granted our Certificate of Conformance! Effective June 16, 2009 Custom Label is ISO 9001:2008 Registered.

iso-certificateIn light of our recent certification, it’s probably helpful to summarize the benefits of ISO 9001. From our experience one of the key benefits is the integration of all quality initiatives into one system. Many company’s evolve with quality procedures, documents, and forms scattered throughout the business. With ISO 9001, the Quality Management System organizes and maintains these various processes. The heart of the QMS is the Quality Policy and Quality Goals and Objectives. All other procedures are developed to support the company’s quality vision. As each area builds systems and procedures that support the Quality Policy and Quality Goals the improvement is seen in all areas. Key benefits reported by ISO Registered company’s include:

- Less re-work
- Lower defect rates
- Material waste improvement
- Shorter lead-time

All of these benefits lead to one key indicator: Improved Customer Satisfaction. Since Custom Label has received our ISO 9001:2008 certification we’ve had an overwhelming voice of support from our valued customers, many of whom recognize the hard work it took to achieve our certification. We’re looking forward to hosting many of our customers on-site and showing them the many changes we’ve made to our Quality Management System!

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Custom Labels help fight Crime

June 5th, 2009

We recently had the opportunity to help a customer and friend of Custom Label, the Alameda County Sherrif’s Department.  Gerald Verbeck from the Sheriff’s office called and asked if Custom Label could help them with labels for a training and fund-raising event.  We were happy to help, donating design help and a production run.  We produced two digital labels for the Sheriff’s Deparment - one custom wine label and a separate logo label.

wine-labels-k91The custom wine label was produced to commemorate an international training event hosted by the Alameda County Sheriff’s department.  60 Police Dogs and their handlers came from across the United States and 4 countries.  An example of the international delegation, the Phillipines sent two canine officers to learn the latest canine training techniques.  They say that since Sept. 11, 2001 police dogs have become a very important weapon against their war on terror.  Custom Label was glad to donate this short run of custom digital labels to the cause - celebrating the Alameda County Sheriff’s Deparment’s role as a leader in canine law enforcement. 

badge-label-k9The other label we provided was a simple gold label for the K-9 unit.  This short run was used for promotional items at the conference, but we just received a call from the Sheriff’s Department asking for longer run quotes. It seems the labels were a big hit and many of the officer’s were asking for a few printed label rolls to carry with them.  Great handouts for children who come in contact with the K-9 Officers!

Here’s a local news video that covered the training event.

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Posted in Custom Label, Digital Label Printing | 3 Comments »

Label Liner Primer

May 28th, 2009

labeldiagram1Although the consumer never sees it, the liner is a critical component of any pressure sensitive label.  A label liner, also known as “carrier” or “backing” or “release liner”, serves a very important purpose:  carrying the die-cut labels to applicator and releasing the adhesive-backed label onto the product.  The diagram below shows how diecut labels are released from the liner. 

ps-label1

Why are there so many Liners?  Just like adhesives, each type of liner was engineered to meet specific performance criteria.  Here are some of the quality and performance criteria used to judge a pressure sensitive label liner:

Liner Performance Criteria

Die-cutting:    High speed diecut and stripping
Cost:                  Relative cost of the liner material
Strength:         Liner web strength and durability
Layflat:            Resistance to curling after sheeting
Dust:                Absence of loose particulates

Types of Liner

SCK
Semi-calendered Kraft material.  Low cost, all around liner for paper materials.  Very good diecutting and stripping, poor layflat.  Moderate particulate levels.
PK
Poly-coated Kraft liner has a poly layer that improves die-cutting and strengthens the liner.  Is credited with lower incidence of web-breaks due to deep die-cuts.  Higher cost than SCK, slightly lower dust particulate.  Does not sheet well.
LF
Lay flat liners have excellent stability and resistance to curl for sheeted applications.  Higher cost than SCK liners.  Moderate particulate levels.
PET (Poly)
Polyester film liner – durable and good for high speed die-cutting and stripping.  Poor sheeting characteristics.  Very low particulate.  More expensive than paper liners.
BG (Glassine)
Bleached Glassine liner – low cost.   For low to medium speed dispensing, not recommended for sheeting. 

As you can see, no one liner can do everything.  Much like facestock materials, liners must be selected based on the specific label requirements.  Sheeted labels require liners designed with lay flat in mind.  For roll labels, the applicating equipment will usually drive liner selection.  With a robust, modern label applicator a standard SCK or BG liner will work well for the majority of labels.  For clean room (zero particulate) and pharmaceutical (high speed application) a polyester liner is often the only option.   Ask your Custom Label representative to help you specify the correct liner for your custom labels!

Posted in Entrepreneur's Corner, Labels 101, Materials, Quality | 1 Comment »

Varnish or Lamination - which is right for me?

May 26th, 2009

Often, after asking the question “would you like a varnish or a lamination”, our customers will ask “Do I need one?”. That’s a difficult question to answer, as the label supplier. While there are applications that require no additional protection the vast majority of applications we see at Custom Label require either a varnish or lamination. These coatings offer both aesthetic character to the package and a layer of protection to the printed label.

squeeze-tube-label1Varnish Basics
Varnishes are liquid coatings that are “printed” onto the label surface. Water-based varnishes dry through evaporation and are often called “aqueous varnish” or “press varnish”. UV Varnish is a uv-cured varnish - often with a very high gloss sheen. Varnishes can protect the label from abrasion and scuff, while added interesting aesthetics with different finishes. Gloss, Matte, and Satin finishes each deliver a unique image. Computer Imprintable varnish allow for thermal transfer printing in an end-use environment. Food-Safe varnishes are safe for secondary food contact in most applications. If the varnish is used for label detection, a varnish with extra Optical Brightener can improve your manufacturing line efficiencies.

n0141Lamination Basics
Laminations are thin layers of film that are adhered to the label surface, providing an actual plastic barrier between the label and the environment. There are two main types of lamination: self-wound lam and linered lamination. Self-would laminations have adhesive on the lam, but are wound on themselves like a roll of transparent office tape. This is economical, but can leave air bubbles and irregularities in the finished label. Linered laminations are created much like other pressure-sensitive materials - with a release-coated liner separating the adhesive. Linered laminations are more expensive, but have a higher-quality look with better clarity, particularly if applied to a film label substrate. Similar to varnishes, laminations are available in gloss, matte, and imprintable versions.

Which is Right for Me?
Both varnishes and laminations provide protection to your label. Laminations can “cheapen” the look of the label, with a “plastic” appearance. However, if your label is exposed to oils/solvents/agents or is in a high-scuff environment, lamination might be a safer choice. To choose the best coating for your label, call Custom Label. We will guide you through selection of best materials for your label!

Posted in Custom Label, Entrepreneur's Corner, Labels 101, Materials, Quality, Technical Articles | No Comments »

What is a “Pressure Sensitive Label” ?

May 26th, 2009

rotary-loop-applicatorConventional wisdom indicates that during recessionary periods, new businesses appear at a higher rate. Terminated employees strike out on their own, determined to take control of their future. For many an entrepreneur, they are in un-chartered waters. Custom Label works daily with these heroes of industry. We are often contacted with the generic question “I’ve got a bottle and I need to put a label on it!”. Just this week I was contacted by a start-up, and the owner said “my bottler told me I need a pressure-sensitive label, whatever that is!” In this blog entry I will answer that question, and help you understand how we ended up with this product called “pressure-sensitive”.

Early Labels:
For thousands of years mankind has placed identification on containers. As modern-day printing was developed it wasn’t long before a “gummed” label was marketed. As early as the beginning of the 19th century printing presses were used to manufacture paper labels. A gum adhesive was placed on the back and dried. It could be re-wet and applied to a product. In the 1840’s, for example, “self-adhesive” stamps exploded in popularity! While they were a novelty item then, their basic construction is not far from the “lick and apply” gummed stamps from a couple decades ago.

Automatic Application: Glue-Applied
With the industrial revolution manufacturing plants sought ways to automate their production lines. Hand-applying labels was too slow to keep up. To increase output, machines were invented that could apply glue to a label and then stick it to the product. For 50 years this basic technology developed into a high-speed method for applying a non-adhesive paper label to a package. Soup cans are an example of a “Glue-applied’ or “cut and stack” label. Glue-applied labels are very inexpensive, but the application process is unreliable, has low accuracy, and significant maintenance costs.

Pressure-sensitive (PS) Labeling is born:
Seeking an alternative to glue-applied labels, many sought a self-contained label solution that did not require a glue to be applied. In 1935 Stanton Avery began manufacturing self-adhesive labels. These materials had adhesive coated on the back of the label, and could be delivered on a release-coated liner. The liner was pulled around a metal “peeler tip”, causing the labels to shoot off the applicator. If placed close to the container (as it passed by on a conveyor) the label could be accurately adhered onto the product.

PS Labeling Today:
While nearly every aspect of package labeling has changed in the past 75 years the basic concept remains the same. As a printer we purchase material from suppliers who pre-coat the adhesive and create the PS “sandwich”. The material we receive has 5 layers:

  1. Ink-receptive Coating
  2. Label Substrate
  3. Adhesive
  4. Silicone Release Agent
  5. Liner

Here is a graphic showing how a Pressure Sensitive Label is dispensed:

labelhead1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So do you need a pressure-sensitive label? If you are hand-applying your labels a PS label give the highest quality and aesthetics for your package. For automatic-application, your contract packager or manufacturing plant can tell you if they will be using pressure-sensitive label applicators. Or give us a call at Custom Label and we can help you figure out whether pressure-sensitive is right for you!

Posted in Entrepreneur's Corner, Flexo Labels, Labels 101, Materials, Technical Articles | 1 Comment »

Choosing the Right Adhesive

May 26th, 2009

Do you get frustrated when someone answers a question, by asking a question? Well, then, you may find choosing the correct label adhesive a little frustrating! When engineering a label specification one of the most important decisions is which label adhesive to use. There are more than a hundred different label adhesives available. Choosing the wrong adhesive can lead to poor application (lowering production efficiency), re-work / waste, and poor package aesthetics. Often, the end consumer is affected if the label adhesive fails after retail. Worst case a product recall may be initiated because a label (with critical consumer information) does not adhere to the package.

Types of Adhesives
It’s glue, just pick a glue that sticks, right? We wish it were that simple! Modern label adhesives are manufactured several ways (hot melt, solvents, emulsions) and using a few different materials (rubbers, acrylics, etc). But no matter which method or material is used for manufacturing - they need to perform.

Adhesive Performance Criteria
There are four basic criteria of performance that an adhesive is evaluated on:
- Printer converting (die-cutting and stripping)
- Initial tack (how well does the label stick initially)
- Long term bond (after setting up, how well does the label perform)
- Consumer use (in shower, under sink, outdoor, etc)

Specialty Adhesives
Scientists have taken the basic types and engineered very specific adhesives - each aimed at a performance specialty.   Examples of these special uses are:

All-Temp:  Very good adhesion across a wide range of temperatures.
Cold-Temp:   Engineered to have strong adhesion in very cold temperatures.
Wet-Stick:  Adheres well to moist application surfaces.
Tire Adhesive:  A very aggressive high-coat-weight adhesive for adhesion to porous surfaces.
Removable:  Can be removed from some surfaces. Testing strongly recommended.
Ultra-removable:  Can be removed from most surfaces even after long term bond.
Repositionable:  Weak initial tack, strong long term bond. Allows the label to be removed and adjusted during application.
Soak and Remove:  Adhesive is formulated to be removed when soaked in warm water.

 
Questions to Ask
Custom Label can help you select the correct adhesive:

What container, product, or surface is the label being applied to?
Is there any moisture or residue on the application surface during labeling?
What temperature is the room where the label will be applied?
Once the label is applied, will it need to be repositioned or removed?
What temperature will the label endure during storage, distribution and end use?
Will the label encounter unusual humidity during application, distribution or end use?

Even after answering those questions, an adhesive recommendation is exactly that: a recommendation. There is no guarantee that the adhesive will perform exactly as desired. Custom Label strongly recommends adhesive testing prior to production - give us a call and we’ll expedite label samples for your testing!

Posted in Custom Label, Digital Label Printing, Entrepreneur's Corner, Flexo Labels, Labels 101, Materials, Technical Articles | 1 Comment »

CustomLabel.com Gets a Facelift

May 26th, 2009

April 2009 has brought more than just sunshine and flowers - customlabel.com has been given an extreme makeover and is now up and live!  We are very excited about our new home on the web and what it can do for our customers.  Customlabel.com clhomepage2showcases the broad range of packaging products we offer, loaded with ideas for your products.  Don’t forget to visit the Company area.  We’ve placed some neat resources in this area including an industry glossary, FAQ’s, testimonials, blog archives, and a page detailing how Custom Label can help you Green up your packaging.

Customlabel.com was designed with you, our Customer, in mind.  We have enhanced information and quote request tools, as well as a Live Support facility.  More about those in a future article!

Posted in Custom Label, Packaging News | No Comments »

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