Types of Commercial Labeling Systems

Labels are extremely important. Whenever you open an unfamiliar box or a barrel, you want to know what’s inside. For all you know, it could be some toxic chemical like formaldehyde or asbestos.

Labeling systems are critical in commercial and industrial applications. That said, you can’t purchase the first labeling applicator you find from your wholesale distributor and put it to work. Each labeling system works for a specific set of situations, with certain materials and containers in mind.

Not sure how to select your commercial labeling? We are here to help. Read on as we discuss the many different varieties a label applicator can come in.

Labeling Systems for Cones and Tapered Surfaces

A cone shape presents challenges when printing and adhering a label. Whether it’s rocket faring or consumer product packaging, it’s not as simple as printing a banner on a slip of paper. You have to consider the stretched dimensions, and how the label will overlap–or not–over a tapered surface.

Many commercial label applicators built for tapered services come in semi-automatic varieties. They often require human hands to insert the template or apply it to the subject.

Depending on the dimensions of the tapered object, the machine may need to be bespoke. This is especially the case for a factory that produces white-label products that change per project. Floor managers will need to carefully consider which machine they invest in before putting it to the task.

Flag Labeling

A flag label refers to a product that has an irregular shape. Typically, one that is too small to have a full ingredients list or labeling information. For example, a heat-wrapped squeeze container for sugar-free coffee sweeteners.

This is most common for products that come in a tube shape or use wire as their basis. The labeling machine may need to incorporate additional technologies to form-fit a label more accurately.

Horizontal Rolling Systems

Horizontal rollers are exactly as they sound. They position a roller that deploys ink or the label across the surface as it moves down a conveyor belt. They function best when a consistent stream of product is moving down the line and requires rapid label application.

Roller systems can work as hybrids, too, or with smaller diameters. They may function only in spurts, rather than continuously.

Multi-side Systems

Many products are not strictly rectangular or square. They may, however, have a rectangular or squarish construction. Take, for example, a custom box with hexagonal sides.

Typically, the machinery for this type of labeling is custom to the products. It needs to be able to produce decorative wrapping that meets the uncommon dimensions. Compared to other systems in this list, multi-sided ones are far more complex.

Product Encapsulation

This is a variation of the horizontal rolling systems. You position a cylindrical object in the middle of three prongs of rollers. The rollers hold the product in place while spinning, applying the label in the process.

It works great for a conical shape as well. It smoothly applies labels without additional machinery to secure the product. Accuracy is also incredibly high, assuming the dimensions of the product remain consistent.

Tamp and Wipe

Tamp and wipe does what it sounds like. It tamps the label onto the product, then wipes the label. This helps expel any bubbles that may form under the adhesive.

A tamp and wipe is most common in heat applications or applications where bubbles are unacceptable. For example, applying a screen protector to a phone.

Top and Bottom

Again, a self-explanatory labeling type. The machine labels the top and bottom–or, one or the other. Think of a cylindrical mint container with a decorative label on top and nutrition info on bottom.

There are a wide variety of solutions to make these labels. First, it depends on what other labels a product requires before applying the top/bottom label. For example, a product that needs a c-wrap with a different material that goes around the body first.

Second, it depends what solution you are deploying. Hugger, interrupted, and split-belt assemblies all function very differently when applying top-bottom labels.

Vacuum Belt Wrap

These are wraps where speed is of the essence, rather than accuracy or legibility. A conveyor belt can turn out a higher quantity of belt-wrapped products in a very short period of time.

The belt wrap functions best for cylindrical or cone-shaped products, but it can do spheroids and box ones too. They are capable both of straight labels and semi-circular ones.

Most important of all, they apply the label in a single go. They do all sides at the same time, rather than passing the product back-and-forth to complete it.

Vertical Trunnion

When you think of production lines for soda cans or containers of cleaning wipes, you are imagining the vertical trunnion. This is when cylindrical objects sit on their bottom, upright, as they go down the belt. They spin when they reach the rollers, receiving their labels in a single rotation.

This is the gold standard for high throughput and legibility. A trunnion can do dozens of containers per minute, without stopping.

Think of all the major drink manufacturers. Most of them use this method in their bottling plants to prepare containers. It’s tried and tested, and continues to be effective to this day.

Choose the Right Label Applicator for You

Labeling systems come in all shapes and sizes. Some can handle very complicated shapes and dimensions and require very little customization. Others work well only when designed for the specific product they will produce.

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