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Category: Labeling Machinery

While they may be among the last considerations in a liquid filling line, labelling machines are also one of the most important. If one of your goals as a business is to appeal to your audience with high-quality labels featuring original logos, graphics, and text, a labeller is crucial for your production line. In many cases, liquid products will need unique packaging and labelling designs to stand out on the shelves and attract consumers.

Benefits of Installing Labelling Equipment

There are several benefits that a packaging line will experience with high-quality labelling machines. One of these is increased efficiency since today’s labelling equipment is designed to print complex graphics and text at a faster rate and with better quality than older models. The demands of a high-speed bulk production line can be easily met with the use of one or more labellers.

Money can also be saved through labelling machines combined with cost-effective printing materials. With the right labelling machine from the right manufacturer and seller, frequent repairs and breakdowns can be avoided that might be experienced with low-quality labelling systems. Many of today’s labellers also can print on a variety of materials, including paper and mylar, helping determine which material is best to maintain both quality and affordability.

Automation of production lines is another benefit of using labellers, in addition to automatic liquid fillers, conveyors, and other packaging equipment that can keep processes moving along at the most productive rate.

Types of Labelling Systems

There are several types of labellers available for production lines based on their specific needs.

Horizontal wrap labelers. These are typically utilized for labelling unstable round containers such as vials with rounded bottoms. Items are placed on a horizontal roller, which then runs them through a wrap station.

Vertical wrap labellers. Vertical labellers are normally used for a variety of bottles, including slightly tapered bottles and stable square or rectangular bottles that won’t easily trip during transfers. Partial and full labels are available for these labelling machines. It’s among the most popular options.

Front and back labelers. Use these labellers to place labels on one or two sides, or in some cases with some modification, three sides of either oval, flat, round, or rectangular bottles. However, like vertical wrap labellers, bottles need to be stable enough to avoid tripping while being transported on conveyors.

Top labelers. This type of labeller is suitable for a variety of applications, including everything from electronics to edibles. It works by placing a panel or spot label on the top of a product that passes, such as a wide round jar lid.

Top and bottom labelers. These are used to label flat containers that require both a top and bottom label, such as a tray with a UPC label on the bottom and a product label on the top.
Print and apply labellers. Configurations for these may be used for a variety of containers including bottles, cartons, and cases.

Custom labelling equipment. In some cases, companies may be able to create a custom configuration for a labeller if needs aren’t compatible with standard labellers.

How to Select the Right Labeler

When trying to find the best filler to install in the filling line, it’s important to consider the different factors that go into a purchase.

Sizes and shapes. One of the first things to consider is the size and shape of the containers and the corresponding parameters of the label, which help determine which type of labeler can meet these criteria. While some labellers may be more versatile and accommodate a variety of widths, lengths, and shapes, others may only be suitable for handling specific sizes and shapes.

 

 

Hand-applying labels are the way most companies start, selling small quantities at a farmer’s market, or fulfilling individual online orders for example.
Hand-applying labels are tedious, leads to waste (damaged labels), and despite all best efforts the labels are not consistently applied. Full-wrap labels are even more difficult to align, and film labels tend to trap air bubbles. As your production volume increases and fewer friends and family are willing to join you for a “labelling party”, it can take forever to get through all those label rolls. Or maybe you are just tired of paper cuts, perpetually sticky, aching fingers, and misaligned labels. So what’s next?
Machine application is a natural next step. Time is money, after all, and the only thing hand application has going for it is the cost: it’s free. With experience, you can apply between 300-500 labels per hour to a bottle– that’s one label on one side. If you have a front label and a back label that number is going to be cut in half. As un-labelled bottles pile up and you’re surrounded by a mountain of label liner waste nursing sore fingers, an electronic label applicator starts to look like a sound investment.

Manual Tabletop Label Applicators

Manual label applicators combine the functionality of a dispenser with a roller that you drag or spin your container across to apply the label uniformly. Labels are dispensed manually, or by advancing the roll through the hand pressure of your container. These applicators are designed for small rolls of labels and eliminate the inconsistency and inevitable waste of hand labelling.

Semi-Auto Label Applicators

Electronic semi-auto label applicators are available as tabletop machines about the size of carry-on luggage that apply the labels as you swap bottles in and out by hand. Some applicators operate by pressing a foot pedal, some by sensing the insertion of a new bottle. (We’re using ‘bottle’ here but this could be a jar, can, etc…). Some dispense the discarded liner into a heap on the floor and others include a waste rewinder to keep your workspace tidy.
Added features that affect the final price can include:

  • Labelling speed (units per hour)
  • Sensors that eliminate the need for a foot pedal
  • Waste rewinders to handle the discarded label liner
  • Larger label roll capacity
  • Ability to handle clear film labels or other exotic label materials
  • Front and back label application
  • Larger container size capacity (a labeller that can accommodate a wine bottle may cost more than an applicator that maxes out with a 1-quart jar)

Additional Considerations When Purchasing a Semi-Auto Applicator

When considering a semi-auto label applicator, your current specific packaging needs will be a priority. However, some equipment is more versatile and adjustable than others, which will allow you to label additional containers than those you are using now– something you may develop a need for in the future.
When shopping for labelling equipment you will want something sturdy that will not wear down or break easily– professional/industrial grade equipment, not hobby products. Adjustment points should be robust, having to fiddle with them constantly to keep everything in line will be frustrating and slow down production.