All posts by Miles

RFID and Security Labels

21st March 2023ProductsMiles

Ultimate Protection for Your Assets:
Expert Security Label Solutions

In today’s fast-paced world, it’s crucial for businesses to have reliable and effective tracking and security solutions; that’s where we come in. We are proud to offer our clients innovative security and RFID label solutions that help improve their business operations and keep their assets and data secure.

What is RFID?

RFID stands for Radio Frequency Identification. It is a technology that uses electromagnetic fields to automatically identify and track tags attached to objects. The tags contain electronically stored information, which can be read by a reader. RFID technology has been used for many years in various applications, such as inventory management, asset tracking, and supply chain management.

Why Choose RFID Technology?

Efficiency: RFID technology allows businesses to track inventory and assets in real-time, reducing the need for manual checks and saving time.
Accuracy: RFID technology offers a higher level of accuracy compared to manual methods. This helps prevent errors and reduces the likelihood of lost or misplaced items.
Security: RFID technology provides an added layer of security, making it difficult for unauthorized individuals to access sensitive data or assets.
Cost: RFID technology offers a cost-effective solution for tracking and managing inventory and assets. The technology helps businesses reduce labour costs, increase productivity and optimize their operations.

RFID Solutions

At Expert Labels Ltd, we offer a range of RFID solutions to meet the needs of our clients. Our solutions include RFID labels and tags. We can also provide customized RFID solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of our clients.

Our RFID labels are designed to be durable and reliable, ensuring that they can withstand the rigors of various environments. Our RFID tags can be attached to different types of assets, allowing businesses to track and manage them in real-time.

Security Labels

In addition to RFID solutions, we also offer security labels. Security labels are tamper-evident labels that help businesses prevent unauthorized access to their assets and data. They are designed to be difficult to remove without leaving a visible mark, making it easy to detect if someone has tampered with them.

Our security labels are available in various designs and can be customized to meet the unique needs of our clients. We can provide security labels that are resistant to water, heat, and other environmental factors, ensuring that they remain effective even in harsh conditions.

Conclusion

At Expert Labels Ltd, we are committed to providing our clients with innovative solutions that help improve their operations and protect their assets and data. Our RFID and security label solutions are designed to meet the unique needs of our clients, and we are dedicated to delivering high-quality products and exceptional customer service.

If you’re looking for reliable and effective RFID and security label solutions, look no further than Expert Labels Ltd. Contact us today to learn more about our products and services.

As always, we are here to help. If you have a question, or specific design requirement you would like to discuss with us, please get in touch. Email sales@expertlabels.co.uk or call us on 01359 271 111, we’d love to hear from you.

In-House Printing

21st March 2023ServicesMiles

Effortless Label Printing:
We’ve Got You Covered

In today’s business environment, having an efficient and cost-effective labelling system is essential for businesses of all sizes. Labels play a critical role in branding, product identification, and safety, among other applications. However, not all companies have the resources to invest in printing equipment, software, and stock, which is why Expert Labels offers an in-house label printing service that provides an excellent solution to this problem.

Got a Question?

Expert Label Printing Solutions

Expert Labels is a company that specializes in providing high-quality labels for a variety of applications, including product labeling, asset management, barcode labels, and more. Our in-house label printing service offers a flexible and cost-effective solution that is suitable for small and large businesses. Our state-of-the-art printing equipment enables us to produce high-quality labels in small or large quantities, quickly and efficiently.

One of the benefits of using Expert Labels’ in-house label printing service is that it saves businesses the cost of purchasing printers, software, and stock. These expenses can add up, especially for smaller companies that do not have a significant budget for such investments. With our service, businesses can save money by ordering labels as and when they need them, rather than having to invest in equipment and stock upfront.

Another advantage of using our in-house label printing service is that it enables businesses to have greater control over their label designs. Our team of experts can work with businesses to create customized label designs that meet their specific needs. This customization can help companies to stand out in a crowded marketplace and differentiate their products from their competitors. Additionally, our labeling experts can advise on label materials, adhesives, and finishes, ensuring that labels are suitable for their intended use and meet regulatory requirements.

Our in-house label printing service is also ideal for businesses that require fast turnaround times. We understand that businesses need to react quickly to changing market conditions, and our printing service enables us to produce labels quickly and efficiently, ensuring that businesses have the labels they need when they need them.

Some of Expert Labels Ltd In-House Equipment

Expert Labels’ in-house label printing service is suitable for a wide range of applications, including product labelling, asset management, barcoding, and more. Our labels can be used on a variety of surfaces, including paper, vinyl, polyester, and polypropylene, ensuring that they are suitable for any application.

Summing up, Expert Labels’ in-house label printing service provides a cost-effective and flexible solution for businesses that need high-quality labels but do not have the resources to invest in printing equipment, software, and stock.

Our service enables businesses to have greater control over their label designs, ensures fast turnaround times, and provides expert advice on label materials and finishes. Whether you need labels for product branding, asset management, or barcoding, our in-house label printing service can meet your needs. Contact us today to learn more about how our labelling experts can help your business succeed.

Order Samples

Premium Labels

28th February 2023NewsMiles

Brilliant and Bold:
The Power of Beautiful Labels

Sample wine label featuring embossed, varnished design

Premium label with debossed, foil design

Premium label using spot varnish to represent droplets on a leaf

Premium label sample with ultra matt laminate representing a scratch

A premium die-cut label designed by Expert Labels, featuring foil and embossing.

Sample of wolf with debossed, gold foil lines and spot varnish

When it comes to creating premium labels that stand out from the competition, embellishments are an essential tool in the marketer’s arsenal. Embellishments add a special touch of sophistication and elegance to labels, making them more appealing to customers and helping them to stand out on store shelves. Here are some of the most popular types of embellishments that are available for labels.

Foiling

Foil stamping is a popular technique used to add a metallic or glossy finish to labels. This process involves using a die to stamp a thin layer of foil onto the label, creating a shiny and eye-catching effect. Foil stamping is often used to add text, logos, or designs to labels, and it can be done in a variety of colours and finishes.

Low Cost 'Embossing' Effect

Embossing is a process that creates a raised, three-dimensional effect on labels. The result is a label with a surface that looks and feels different. Embossing can be used to add depth and dimension to labels. Typically, this uses expensive metal plates to create the effect.

Embossing works well for creating logos, borders, and other design elements.

As we all know, the future is digital printing and using what acts like a huge laser or inkject printer from your home, we are able to add ‘touch’ to your labels. Complex patterns can be created using varnish on the surface of your labels – each label could be unique. Create wood-grain, leather or linen looking labels.

using complex layers of varnish the whole label can be transformed.Use this effect to create a subtle and elegant label finish that is perfect for adding texture and depth to labels.

Spot Varnishing

Spot varnish is a technique that involves applying a glossy or matte finish to specific areas of a label. This process creates a contrast between the shiny and matte areas, which can be used to highlight specific design elements or create a unique texture on the label. Spot varnish is often used to create a premium look and feel on labels. Use in combination with other embellishments for added impact.

Lamination

Laminating is a process that involves applying a thin layer of plastic film over the label material. This process provides a layer of protection against moisture, chemicals, and other environmental factors that can damage the label. Laminating can also be used to add a glossy or matt finish to the label, which can enhance the overall appearance of the label.

Die Cutting

Die cutting is a process that involves cutting the label material into a specific shape using a die. This process can be used to create unique label shapes, such as circles, ovals, or stars. Die cutting can also be used to create intricate design elements, such as cut-out patterns or lettering.

Specialty Inks

Specialty inks are a game-changer in the label printing industry, offering unique benefits that standard inks simply can’t match. One of the most popular types of specialty ink is white ink, which is essential for printing on transparent packaging and labels. With white ink, you can create stunning, high-contrast designs that really pop, making your products stand out on the shelves.

Another cutting-edge specialty ink is invisible UV ink, which is perfect for adding an extra layer of security to your labels. This ink is invisible under normal lighting conditions, but it fluoresces under UV light, making it a powerful tool for anti-counterfeiting measures. This ink is ideal for industries like pharmaceuticals, where security is paramount.

Finally, hexachrome is a specialty ink that offers unparalleled colour accuracy and vibrancy. This ink uses six colours instead of the usual four, resulting in a wider range of colours and much richer, more nuanced hues. With hexachrome, your labels will be more eye-catching and memorable than ever before, making it an excellent choice for premium products that demand the highest quality.

In conclusion, embellishments are an excellent way to enhance the visual appeal of labels and make them stand out from the competition. Whether you choose to use foil stamping, embossing, debossing, spot varnish, laminating, die cutting, or a combination of these techniques, the result will be a label that is eye-catching, unique, and memorable. By investing in high-quality embellishments for your labels, you can create a brand image that is both sophisticated and memorable, helping your products to stand out and attract more customers.

Guide to Label Recycling

21st February 2023NewsMiles

Recyclable Labels

The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) reported that UK homes achieved a recycling rate of 44% for household waste in 2021/2.

Whilst we are all recycling more, are we recycling labels properly?

What can you, as someone who buys labels for your product packaging, do to ensure your customer’s recycled labels aren’t contaminating recycled waste?

Do I Need to Remove Labels Before Recycling?

The official advice recommends that you remove your labels, however, realistically, no one does that.

The solution: to stop contamination – if you a responsible for your product packaging, make sure you match the label material to the packing material.

Please contact us for help matching your label material to your packaging.

Recycling Label Adhesive

We thought adhesive might be a problem so we asked the recycling experts. According to Suffolk-based metal and waste recycling specialists, Sackers Ltd, label adhesive is a small problem and is processed easily.

High volumes of labels (i.e. a skip full) could not be put through the recycling process and would need to be burned for energy.

There is no need to remove labels from items, the recycling process can handle them.

Advice from Sackers Ltd was: if in doubt put it out for recycling – anything that can’t be recycled is burned to produce energy.

Take this piece of advice with care, as each UK local authority has different waste to energy capabilities.

If you want help matching labels to packaging call us for advice.

Labels for Glass Bottles and Jars

Despite the rule of matching labels to packaging – you might have noticed – not many labels are made from glass.

So what do we do about labelling bottles?

Our advice – apply a paper label. If your customer’s recycling process involves washing first – then the labels will be washed off. If it is crushed then put in a furnace, the labels and glue will burn off.

Which Labels can be Recycled?

Paper

Paper labels should only be recycled with paper or board packaging.

If your paper labels are placed on plastic bottles ask us for a ‘wash off’ adhesive to make the recycling process much easier.

You can still place paper labels blended with other materials in the recycling bin, as it can be burned and used for energy.

Plastic

Labels are usually made from polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene (PE). Luckily, most packaging material is made from PP and PE. Both can be recycled together.

The only thing that cannot be recycled is a label stuck to film, unfortunately, this will end up in landfill or burned for energy.

Make Label Recycling Easy for Your Customers

If you are buying labels from us, this is what you can do to improve recycling.

Match the label material to your product packaging. For example: paper labels onto paper or cardboard packaging and PE or PP labels on PE and PP packaging.
If you have correctly matched your labels and packaging, tell your product consumers to leave the labels on, clean any bottles or containers and put them into the recycling bin.
Clearly print the recycling logo on your packaging.
Do not apply compostable labels to plastic or glass packaging that can be recycled.
Ask customers not to put compostable labels into the recycle bin.

Recycling Label Backing Paper

Backing paper is not a good material to make from recycled paper, because it needs to be strong.

Recycling backing paper can be challenging because it is coated in non-stick silicon, which makes it less desirable for recycling firms.

There is a recycling company, here in the UK, who takes backing paper and label waste, but sadly, it just gets turned into energy.

If you work with lots of backing paper – contact us for advice on how to dispose of it. There is a waste disposal company that will take pallet loads of backing paper but you will need tons.

Plastic alternatives to Backing Paper

Ironically, plastic backing material is a better alternative to siliconised paper.

Plastic backing material can be recycled along with standard plastics. No need for special disposal.

It is more expensive and not available off the shelf, but if your goal is to eliminate waste to landfill, contact us about getting labels with a plastic backing material.

Laminated Labels

Paper labels are sometimes coated in plastic to give them durability. You cannot recycle laminated labels, but they can be burned and used in energy recovery programs.

Horticultural Labels

14th February 2023IndustriesMiles

Horticultural labels typically fall into three categories:

Loop lock or self-tie tags
Pot pointers and stick in plant tags
Waterproof self adhesive
Direct thermal labels.

Professional garden centre and plant nursery customers tend to print using thermal label printers, laser printers or the trusted permanent marker pen. We supply our clients with horticultural labels to suit all three technologies. Click below to chat with one of our team now.

Loop Lock and Self-Tie Tags

Also known as tie on tags or self-tie tags, these are very popular horticultural labels.

The self-tie loop lock is a simple, quick and easy method of tagging plants, shrubs and trees. The self-tie loop lock is looped round the stem or branch of a plant and then the notched end locks into the “key-hole” shape at one end of the tag. Contact us if you want some to try.

These are all waterpoof and tear resistant. Come in a range of colours. For larger quantities these tags can have a perforated tear off segment. Come in sheet form for laser printing or 4-across on rolls for thermal printing.

Loop lock labels are usually ordered in white, but come in red, green, pink, yellow, orange, purple and blue. If you need a specific colour or you need your tags printed on one side or both Contact us.

Loop lock labels are made from thick, durable PE plastic or Tyvek. Tyvek is incredibly tough, resistant to tearing – yet can be cut with easily with scissors. Because it’s so tear resistant – the tags last longer, it’s recyclable (but not biodegradable) and prints well.

If you want us to print your Loop Locks for you (save you buying a thermal printer), we can print a limited number of sized tags with black text. If you have a database or spreadsheet of information to print onto the labels – we can do that for you. Contact us to get details of sizes available and prices.

Call us about Tyvek self-tie labels for your next project.

Plant Pot Pointers and Stick in Tags

Plant pot pointers and Stick In Tags are heavy duty plastic tags that come on rolls and can be printed by a Thermal printer to identify plants, print barcodes and indicate prices.

You can have these tags printed with your logo or other information before you over print them with your own information. If you don’t have a thermal printer you’re able to write on them with a permanent marker.

These are not suitable to be printed on a laser printer.

They are tough, waterproof and scratch resistent.

They come on rolls and are limited to a height of around 100mm.

Waterproof Labels

Waterproof labels are the most commonly found label in horticulture. Our customers usually need plain white labels for jobs where a good weather resistance is needed and of course a label that can be wiped clean. Usually ordered with a permanent adhesive, they can also be ordered with a peelable or even freezable adhesive.

Used for printing prices, barcodes and product descriptions. Most of our clients buy them in roll form, for printing with a thermal label printer. One thing to note is that with synthetic (plastic) labels, resin ribbons are needed to ensure a durable, scratch resistant finish. Resin ribbons won’t fade, giving you labels that will last years.

Our waterproof labels come a wide variety of dimensions, plain white or coloured or pre-printed with your logo or other information.

Contact us and let us know what size, colour and quantity you need. We also need to know what kind of printer you’re using (so the rolls fit) and if you need it pre-printed.

If you want us to print the labels for your garden centre or nursery, we print a minimum of 1000 labels in the most common sizes. Visit our Buy your labels online page for sizes, prices and ordering.

Direct Thermal Labels

Thermal labels are the simplest and easiest labels and popular in garden centres and plant nurseries. Whilst they are not waterproof, they are in demand because they print without ink. Load them into a thermal label printer and they’re ready to use. Usually ordered with a permanent adhesive, they can also be ordered with a peelable adhesive. If you want to know more, learn about thermal labels here.

Used for printing prices, barcodes and product descriptions. They need to come in roll form, for printing with a thermal label printer. Unlike waterproof labels, direct thermal labels have a limited life and will discolour if subjected to heat – including the sun – which is a problem if used outside in a garden centre.

Direct thermal labels are made using a heat sensitive coating, making them slightly more expensive than plain paper labels, but because they don’t use ink the cost is roughly equivalent. What makes direct thermal labels advantageous is the ease of use. No need to keep stocks of ink ribbons and no need to change ribbons.

Keen to Test Labels in your Horticulture Business?

To help you make the right choice, we can send free samples for testing to companies based in the UK.

Testing is really important, so you can see how different labels, tags and loop lock labels perform when tested on your specific application, under your specific conditions.

Finally, if you’d like to speak with us for expert advice on the best labels, tags, and ribbons, what label printer would be best and what software you need to design and print labels – please contact us by clicking the button below.

As always, we are here to help. If you have a question about label printers or label design software, or specific requirement you would like to discuss with us, horticultural or not, please get in touch.

Email sales@expertlabels.co.uk or call us on 01359 271 111, we’d love to hear from you.

Updated: 12 Aug 2023

How Label Printing Works

8th February 2023NewsMiles

Sticking to Quality:
The Techniques of Label Printing

Labels play a crucial role in the marketing and branding of products. They provide important information, such as ingredients, usage instructions, and warnings, as well as serving as a means of identification and differentiation. Several methods exist to print labels, and each has its unique benefits and limitations. Contact us today to discuss which solution best fits your needs.

Flexography

Also known as flexo, flexography is one of the most common methods of label printing. It uses a flexible plate mounted onto a cylinder to transfer ink from the fountain cylinder to the anilox cylinder. This presses against the plate cylinder, which transfers the image onto the label material as it passes through the press.

Flexo is ideal for printing on porous materials, such as paper and cardboard. It is often used for printing labels for food and beverage products, as well as for labelling boxes and packaging. However, changing cylinder designs can be time-consuming, so flexographic presses are most cost-efficient for large orders of at least 100,000 labels.

Digital Printing

Another popular method of label printing is to employ digital printing technology, such as inkjet or laser printers, to print images and text directly onto the label material. Digital printing is an ideal option for small runs of labels because it allows quick and easy customisation. Additionally, it is a cost-effective option for printing high-quality labels because there is no need for printing plates or set-up costs.

Screen-Printing

Screen-printing involves creating a stencil of the desired design, which is then used to apply ink to the label material. It is ideal for printing on various surfaces, including plastic, metal, and glass. Businesses often use screen printing to print labels for industrial and consumer products and promotional items, such as keychains and pens.

Direct Thermal Printing

Direct thermal label printing is a type of printing technology that uses heat-sensitive paper to create labels. This process involves applying heat directly to the label paper, causing a reaction that produces the desired print. This printing technique does not require the use of ink, toner, or ribbons, making it a more cost-effective and efficient printing solution. However, the print quality and durability of direct thermal labels are not as high as those produced via alternative methods, and you are limited to monochromatic designs.

Thermal-Transfer Printing

Thermal-transfer printing uses heat to transfer ink or resin from a ribbon onto the label material. It is often used for printing labels for harsh or demanding environments, such as those exposed to extreme temperatures, moisture, and UV light. This is ideal for printing barcodes, serial numbers, and other high-density data, as it produces a high-quality, durable image that can withstand harsh conditions.

Offset Printing

Finally, offset printing is a method of label printing that uses a printing press to transfer ink from a printing plate onto the label material, similar to flexo. This process is ideal for printing high-volume runs of labels, as it is efficient and cost-effective. People often use offset printing to print labels for consumer products, such as soap, shampoo, and cosmetics.

This process works using a printing plate clamped around a cylinder, as with flexographic print. This is flanked by another ‘blanket cylinder’ and by a number of smaller rollers called inking and damping rollers. Offset printing works on the premise that ink and water do not mix. Rollers distribute ink and water over the plate, with the water acting as a carrier for the ink as it rests in suspension in the water.

Why is it called 'Offset-Printing'?

The plate has areas that are imaged and non-imaged, depending on what is to be printed. These imaged areas attract the ink, while the unimaged areas repel ink. Once inked, the plate cylinder continues to rotate and ‘offsets’ the inked image onto the rubber blanket cylinder, forming a mirrored or ‘wrong’ reading image.

Labelling material to be printed is passed around the impression cylinder and is pressed against the rubber blanket cylinder, which offsets a single-colour, ‘right’ reading image onto the substrate. To create a full-colour image, four of these units are placed sequentially one after another in a series, building layers of cyan, magenta, yellow, and black along the way.

In conclusion, label printing is a crucial aspect of product marketing and branding. The choice of printing method depends on the specific requirements of the label, such as the type of material used, the desired print quality, and the quantity being produced. Whether you are printing labels for consumer products, promotional items, or industrial applications, there is a printing method that can meet your needs.

Click the button below to order samples and get in contact with one of our friendly labelling experts.

As always, we are here to help. If you have a question or specific design requirement you would like to discuss with us, please get in touch. Email sales@expertlabels.co.uk or call us on 01359 271 111, we’d love to hear from you.

Label Design and the Perceived Value of a Product

3rd February 2023NewsMiles

Stick With Style:
The Art of Label Design

How Label Design Affects the Perceived Value of a Product

Design is an essential aspect of product packaging and labelling, and it plays a significant role in the perceived value of an item. The design of a label can influence a customer’s first impression and ultimately their purchasing decision.

In today’s competitive market, it’s crucial for companies to understand the importance of label design and how it can impact their product’s recognised appeal.

Visual Appeal

One of the key factors that affect implied vakue is visual appeal. Firstly, a well-designed label can create an emotional connection with the customer and make the product stand out from its competitors. The design should be aesthetically pleasing, using colours, images, and typography that are consistent with the product’s branding and target audience. Furthermore, a high-quality design can make the product feel more premium and add value to the customer’s experience.

Another aspect of label design that affects visual merit is the information it contains. A label should clearly convey the product’s purpose, ingredients, and any other relevant information. This not only helps customers make informed purchasing decisions, but it also adds credibility to the product. Additionally, a label that includes information such as certifications, awards, or environmentally-friendly claims can increase the desirability of the product.

Design Materials

The type of material used for the label is also important in determining the perceived value of a product. A label made from high-quality materials, such as foil or embossed paper, can make a product feel more luxurious and premium. The texture of the label can also have an impact, with a matte or gloss finish affecting the perceived value of the product differently.

The packaging of a product is also an important factor in determining perceived value. A well-designed label that is well-integrated with the packaging can create a cohesive and attractive overall appearance. The packaging should also be functional and easy to use, which can add to the perceived value of the product. For example, a product with a convenient, resealable packaging is likely to be deemed as more valuable than one with a simple, open-top design.

In conclusion, the design of a label plays a significant role in determining the perceived value of a product. A well-designed label can make a product stand out and create a positive emotional connection with the customer. Companies that invest in high-quality label design can increase the acknowledged worth of their products, making them more appealing to customers and helping to drive sales.

High-Temperature Labels

25th January 2023NewsMiles

High temperature labels are also known as heat-proof or heat-resistant labels, stickers and tags.

If you work in an industry that needs High-Temperature Labels or Heat-Proof Tags, such as metal fabrication, ceramics, glass or steel manufacturing, then you know how difficult it is to find labels and tags that survive at high temperatures.

Luckily we have labels that can survive temperatures up to 1,250C.

Can you get High Temperature Labels?

Yes. At Expert Labels we can provide you with labels that can survive on your product as it travels through your manufacturing process.

Not all high-temperature labels are created equally, different label styles and materials perform better in different temperature ranges. How do you choose the right high-temperature label for your application? Read below to find out which labelling materials are available and where they perform best.

High-Temperature Label Materials

Identifying labels that work in the temperature ranges you need is critical to your ability to scan the barcode and read the label.

There is also a balance to be struck in terms of cost, with lower temperature labels costing less than ultra-high temperature labels.

With 30 years of experience, we are able to identify your exact labelling needs and match your requirements with a perfect solution. Please see the table below for some examples of the high-temperature labels we supply:

Material Type	Temperature Range	Details
Treated Polyester Labels	Up to 250 °C	Use standard thermal transfer printer with matched resin ribbon. Applied by hand. Multiple colours and wide range of sizes. Suitable for different temperature ranges.
Polyimide Adhesive Labels	Up to 350 °C	Use standard thermal transfer printer with matched resin grade ribbon. Applied by hand and suitable for exposure up to 350 °C for short periods.
Aluminium Foil Base Adhesive with Inorganic Topcoat	Up to 600 °C	Aluminium base material with a smudge-proof coating and with a silicone adhesive. Thermal transfer topcoat can be printed onto using a specialist thermal transfer ribbon. Apply by hand or using specialist tool at temperatures between room temperature and 450 °C. Can withstand short-term exposure up to 600 °C.
Ceramic-coated Polymer Film Adhesive Labels	Up to 1250 °C	Designed to be stuck to high-temp metal, ceramic and glass. Thermal transfer printed with specialist high grade resin-based ribbon. Resistant to chemicals, heat, shock and scratching. Apply by hand at low temperatures or using a special tool at temperatures up to 1250 °C. Specially made to order. There is a lead time of up to six weeks for these labels - and they come in limited sizes.

Are High-Temperature Labels Customizable?

It’s possible to print your own information on all these labels, however there are some limitations. For the labels in the lower temperature ranges, you can add colour logos, not so much in the higher ranges.

Your labels can be made to your own customer sizes, however, sizes in the ultra-high temperature range need to be relatively small – smaller than approximately 50mm x 50mm, as the material is very delicate and easily torn if the label is too big.

With 30 years of experience using label and tag design software, we’re able to help you optimise the design of your labels, minimise wasted label space and supply you with an elegant yet functional labelling solution.

How do I Print High-Temperature Labels?

Your labels can be provided pre-printed, for ease of use, allowing you to start applying straight away.

Alternatively, you can use thermal transfer printers for your own in-house printing so you can track items using your own production codes or from your own data.

Printing yourself, using your own label printer, means you need a specialist ink ribbon.

The ink is specially formulated to withstand high temperatures so the ink doesn’t smudge.

Here’s an article that explains in-house printing in a bit more detail.

How do I Apply High-Temperature Labels?

Our polyester and polyimide high-temperature labels can be applied by hand from room temperature up to 250 °C or 350 °C, respectively.

Our ultra high temperature labels can also be applied at room temperature but to be durable and scratch resistant, need to be cured. Contact us if you need to know about this process.

Some of our label range can be applied to hot metals and ceramics. You can see below, a metalworker using a ‘gun’ to apply heat-proof labels. Not only is this safer in hotter environments, as PPE doesn’t need to be removed to handle the labels, but the labels are also all applied uniformly and in the same manner, aiding precision.

Test Your Labels

These labels are ideal for food, electronics, steel, glass and ceramic production.

They are the answer for any industry that works with extremely hot products that needs to be clearly and quickly identified.

No matter what the application, it is important that thermal-transfer ribbons (inks) are carefully matched to the label and tested on your application prior to purchase.

To help you make the right decision and choose the best value labels for your project, we’re able to provide companies (based in the UK) with sample labels for testing.

This will allow you to see how they perform when tested on your specific application, under your specific conditions. If your project is commercially sensitive, we’re happy to sign an NDA.

As always, we are here to help. If you have a question, or specific requirement you would like to discuss with us, heat-proof or not, please get in touch with our. Email sales@expertlabels.co.uk or call us on 01359 271 111, we’d love to hear from you.

Updated 9 Sept 2024

Cryogenic Labels

18th January 2023NewsMiles

Don't get caught out in the cold

If you work in a laboratory, or an industry that requires Cryogenic Labels, then you know how important it is to have a reliable product. Exposing the wrong type of label to extreme cold can shock the material, leading to your label peeling off, resulting in the loss of critical information.

Imagine trying to locate one of the hundreds of biological samples in cold storage, but the key sample information has peeled away. Not only could that cost you time, money or credibility, but it may also result in the loss of a customer and damage to your brand reputation.

How can I identify my frozen samples?

Expert Labels can find you a perfect match for your unique application. Can hand-written markings contain all your necessary info? Is it readable? Perhaps you would like to create a digital library by allocating a barcode to each individual sample.

Can I freeze my labels?

Identifying the perfect type of label for your application is of paramount importance. Many labels may peel, smudge, crack or delaminate when exposed to extreme cold. Others may be fine in long-term cold storage, but fail when snap-frozen, or maybe you need identification that is robust enough to handle the dry-heat of an autoclave, as well as cryo-storage. If the key information is damaged, or otherwise illegible, the value of the sample will be lost.

What is label delamination?

During label manufacture, different layers are applied to each other to create the finished product. Use of the wrong type of label for your low-temperature applications risks the individual material components failing. This can mean the label can crack, smudge, bleed and, in some cases, the individual layers, such as the top-coat, facestock and adhesive can delaminate.

Label delamination is the failure of multiple labels layers, resulting in the layers separating away from each-other and the label peeling away. This can lead to wasted time, trying to identify a mystery vial, or find a specific sample belonging to a customer.

The strong, permanent adhesive on our Cryogenic Labels is chemically inert and ideal for any and all low-temperature applications that need to be clearly displayed and quickly identified. They are easily applied, even to frozen surfaces, such as sample tubes, vials, metal racks or beakers stored in liquid nitrogen.

How do I print cryogenic labels?

Cryogenic Labels are available on rolls for in-house printing using a thermal transfer printer, or alternatively they can be provided on laser printed sheets, to better fit with more conventional printing techniques.

Both roll or sheet-formatted labels can hold detailed information such as batch numbers and barcodes, maintaining 100% of the information even if printed using very small font sizes. They can even be branded. The print is smudge-resistant and guarantees exceptional quality of logos, text or barcode images. Switching to cryogenic labels will help to eliminate human error caused by illegible handwriting, or mislabelled samples.

We'll help you find the perfect match for your unique application.

Our Cryogenic Labels offer a durable bond and are able to withstand the cold of dry ice and dunking into liquid nitrogen at -196°C. This is ideal for the reliable recognition of sample containers undergoing long-term deep freezing or other cryogenic treatment. They come in dot and rectangular shapes, in a range of differing sizes, so we will be able to easily match the perfect product to your labelling needs.

These products are ideal for forensic, biomedical, environmental and agricultural laboratory applications. For any laboratory or industry that works with temperature-sensitive or biological material, these Cryogenic Labels show great chemical and temperature resistance. As well as extreme cold, they can withstand the heat of autoclaves. Perfect if your application cycles through several contrasting temperatures.

As always, we are here to help. If you have a question, or specific requirement you would like to discuss with us, cryogenic or not, please get in touch with our. Email sales@expertlabels.co.uk or call us on 01359 271 111, we’d love to hear from you.

2023 Predictions for the Labelling Industry

4th January 2023NewsMiles

With nearly thirty years of working in the labelling and barcoding industry – we’ve put together our predictions for what you’ll see happening this year.

More progress with digital printing

Digital printing is like printing with a desktop inkjet or laser printer – but on a larger scale. Digital printing means no need for traditional printing plates (plates are like the potatoes you would have used at primary school making potato print artwork). With digital there’s no mixing inks and no setup and cleaning the machinery between printing jobs. The result is a faster printing process and reduced setup costs. Digital printing also enables manufacturers to produce unique labels – for example with sequential serial numbers or unique competition codes on each label.

In 2023 more label makers are going to invest in digital label printing presses. Small presses are becoming more affordable and even the smallest of label printing operations will take the risk and buy a digital press. Continuing on the theme of digital printing, label makers who have already invested in a digital press will buy more powerful equipment – printing presses that are faster and and wider – competing better with traditional plate-based printing presses.

Material Prices

We’ll still see a rise in label material prices and the energy costs of running a factory will continue to go up – leading to rises in the price of labels. Our prediction is that prices won’t stabilise for another six months. Another factor affecting label pricing are the after-effects of the Finnish paper mill strike that lasted four months and ended in April 2022. Finland is Europe’s largest paper producer and it’s taken months for paper stocks to start to come back to normal – that is still having an influence on pricing today.

In April 2022 the UK’s plastic tax put more upward pressure on plastic labels – which will continue to influence label prices upwards for a few more months.

Supply Chain Disruptions

The supply chain disruption to electronics and thermal printers is still evident. One order for a thermal printer we placed in September 2021 is still awaiting delivery. Thermal printing hardware is still not plentiful and there have been price rises every few months from the major manufacturers. We’re hopeful that hardware stocks will return to normal by the middle of 2023, but we don’t think we will see any major price discounting.

The last part of our 2023 predictions includes the influence of the ongoing shortage of labour, not only here in the UK but around the industrialised world. We’ve seen this play out with recruiting staff for ourselves. We’ve been fortunate to find some great new recruits – the process just takes longer to find them. Much production work was performed by European migrants, but with access to low cost and willing migrants now blocked by Brexit there will be a push to raise productivity and automate.

We don’t see any evidence of the UK government inviting unskilled workers into the country and so we don’t see the workforce challenges changing significantly unless there is a recession that leads to lay offs and skilled workers being released into the workforce. Will we see a recession – our guess is probably yes. For how long? We’re planning for the majority of 2023, but some analysts think it may be shorter.

Summary

In summary, we do think the end of 2023 will be better than the end of 2022. Upward price influences that have been particularly acute in labelling (paper shortages and plastic taxes) will have worked through and prices will stay stable. The supply chain for electronics will become more free flowing but labour shortages will carry on through to the end of 2023.

As always, we are here to help. If you have a question, or specific requirement you would like to discuss, please get in touch.

Email joe@expertlabels.co.uk or call us on 01359 271 111, we’d love to hear from you.

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