Choosing the Right Sticker Labeling Machine

A container is more than identifying the contents of the container. This gives the buyer the first impression of your product, helping you make a sale. Choosing the right Sticker Labeling Machine will improve the perception of quality while keeping your production line running smoothly. Here's how you can narrow down your choice based on the bottles and labels you use, as well as how the machine fits into your production process.

Sticker Labeling Machine Configuration

Bottle labels can be broken in a basic configuration depending on how the label is applied. The three most common labels are vertical wrap, horizontal wrap, and front / back (but others include top label, top and bottom label, and custom machine).

• Vertical Wrap: Bottles pass directly through the vertical wrap machine. This option works well for bottles that have a slight taper or square / rectangular design. Partial and complete labels may be applied.
• Horizontal Wrap: Bottles pass through such a machine, while lying on their edges. Horizontal wrapping machines work well for unstable, round containers, including bottles with bottles or vials.
• Front / Back: This type of machine labels one or more sides and works well with a variety of bottle styles (as long as the container can remain stationary when passing along the conveyor).

Although most liberalisers fit into one of those three categories, machines can be fully adapted and engineered for any type of application, involving multiple labeling stations (e.g., one casing for the body of the bottle and one above for the second label).

Bottle Orientation for Label Placement

Label applications require a high degree of accuracy, because now (more than ever), the visual appeal of packaging determines the tone of the brand within its market. Even a simple horizontal wrap can have a 1/8-inch gap between its edge and the ends of the body. To achieve this level of accuracy, the bottle (not the label) is moved into position for application, so choosing the right system is a matter of balancing accuracy, speed, and cost.

Every situation is different. The only location factor is height, with a single label on the round beverage bottle. By comparison, labels on square and oval bottles need to be oriented horizontally and vertically. And, if the label is placed in an unusual location (like the corner of the bottle), a more complex machine may be needed to correct the placement.

Most round bottle machines use a single feed screw to separate the bottles and push them toward the labeller at a specified rate. For non-round bottles, twin screws are used for precise orientation prior to label application.

A "spin-in-place" design can orient each bottle severally before applying the label. The machine may use a short screw or a pair of spinning platform with sensors to check for proper alignment. Although this design is longer than standard machines, it is more accurate.

Types of roll labels for label applicants

Each Sticker Labeling Machine feeds labels in a specific way so that they are placed on the correct area of ​​the bottle. Ideally, a new machine should use the same machine style that is on site (for compatibility) on other machines, but has several roll label options:

• Outside Peel vs. Inside Peel: The outside peel label faces away from the core while the inside of the peel label faces the core so that the backing paper is visible when viewed on the outside of the roll.
• Printing Orientation: This is the direction of the print as seen from the outer edge of the roll. It can be up, down, left or right.
• Label material: A wide variety of stocks are available, ranging from paper and vinyl to foil and UV coating.

Other features to look for when choosing a labeling machine

What is the main concern speed? Or are you looking for an applicator that accommodates different sizes and shapes? Be sure to keep the following features in mind before making the final purchase.

• Flexibility: Some machines can be installed for different sizes and shapes, giving you the ability to use one machine for multiple product lines. Others have fixed parts, saving on purchase costs and maintenance.
• Material compatibility: Your machine should handle your chosen label material, and will vary depending on rollers, tensioners, and other parts, whether you use paper, foil, film, or Mylar. The pressure sensitive label requires a mechanism to push the label onto the bottle after application. After the bottle passes through the label applicator, the label is erased to ensure that it is flat and wrinkle free on the bottle. The time and amount of pressure varies depending on the label, adhesive and bottle material.
• Rate of application: Machines are rated in products per minute (ppm / min), but are played here more than pure speed. Some machines are built to handle production speed fluctuations, and can also communicate with upstream operations. That way, the lab can stop the line if there is a backup (such as if the machine runs out of labels or if there is an equipment failure).

On most machines, labeling has to be stopped to replace the label roll. However, a redundant can hold two rolls, causing minimal downtime when the old down runs out and moves to the new roll.

Core and Roll Size: The core is cardboard or plastic inserted inside the roll. The larger the roll, the more labels there are, thus reducing the frequency of changing the roll during production. Like label orientation, the main concern is that a new machine may use the same roll label that other machines have on site.

Coding: Printing of production dates and internal codes is usually done by a different machine. However, some manufacturers offer the option of adding hot stamps or laser printers. This allows the information to be printed in the exact position on the bottle.

Hot stamp printers are limited to a physically set character limit. For this reason, their use is usually limited to lots or production dates. The machine must be temporarily shut down to swap in new characters. Laser coders can print lines of text at extremely high speeds, creating a separate print for each bottle, which may reduce the serial number or time and date the bottle was rolled from the machine.

Picking the Right Labeling For Your Production Needs

Getting the right bottle labeling machine depends on three things:

1. Type of bottle / label used
2. Label orientation (using complex labels and odd-shaped bottles may requisite slower, more expensive machine.)
3. Flexibility / compatibility required (will many products use the same machine? Do you have other sticker labeling machines in use?)

With in-house Sticker Labeling Machine Manufacturers and engineering capabilities, Siddhivinayak Automation systems have the unique ability to cut parts and components to design systems specifically configured for any need.