For some of our clients (such as pharmaceutical, clinical trials or military contractors) strict, secure document workflows are an essential requirement in order to meet regulatory compliance.  In this article we’ll look at how we can set this up for labelling and documentation using Seagull Scientific’s BarTender label design software.

Let’s start with an example.  Palio Care (I’m making this name up for reasons of commercial confidentiality) work in clinical supply.  They manage the distribution of drugs for pharmaceutical clients working on clinical trials.

In order to comply with strict QA rules they need a labelling system that combines:

• Security – only authorised users could undertake label design, QA checking and printing.
• Strict Document Workflows – labels could not be printed before they had been checked over by a qualified and authorised person.
• Detailed Audit Trail – records were kept of who did what and when in order to provide evidence for compliance audits.

After researching the market, Palio Care found two suppliers who were able to fulfil these requirements – along with being able to design labels and documents with ease and speed.

Seagull Scientific’s BarTender and… er, let’s call them Pyramid.  I have to admit, I don’t know much about Pyramid as a company, but they were dismissed on cost grounds.

Remote Access Label Design Software

Palio Care works with a remote workforce as well as offices in the UK and US.  They wanted to use BarTender through Citrix and after a few hours configuration by their IT manager, they had it operational.  Citrix gave remote users a secure cloud based environment in which to run BarTender.  If you’d like help or advice setting up a remote access label design system, contact us, we’d be pleased to help.

Let’s Look at How We Set it Up.

First, we’re working with Seagull Scientific’s Enterprise Automation edition of BarTender 2016.  It’s the top of the range edition with integration to ERP systems (including SAP and Oracle), full document history and, of course, user and group permissions as well as workflows.  BarTender Enterprise Automation edition is licenced on the number of printers that are being used.  That means it can be used across the entire network on as many computers as you wish – without additional cost. BarTender Enterprise Automation Edition uses a MS SQL server database to maintain a central library of documents that any number of PC’s can access.

Configuring BarTender Workflows

Using BarTender’s Librarian companion app, we set up a simple workflow.  We set up our workflow in such a way that an edited label needed to be checked over by QA before being approved by the client.  Once the Palio Care’s client had approved it, the label state could be changed to Awaiting printing.

BarTender Security Settings

Now we had the workflow defined, we gave users permission to change file states.

From the Administration Console’s Security tab, the user or group in question was configured to allow it to change certain stages.

For example, a ‘print operator’ group of users can’t approve or edit labels.

How the BarTender System Works

This is how we configured our BarTender solution to work for Palio Care.

A label designer designs the label document and saves it by checking it back into the document library.  BarTender prompts the designer to comment on what they have done and has them identify what stage the label is at.  In Palio Care’s situation, the designer can only continue editing it, or they can move it to the “Awaiting QA Approval” stage.

With a new stage identified, the QA user is now able to check the label out of the library and carry out their character by character check to ensure the label is correct.

Once satisfied, QA checks the label design back into the library (BarTender has them check their label back in by saving their label design) and update the file’s stage to awaiting Client approval.

With the label checked for quality, in the case of Palio Care, the label is added to a form and sent to the Project Manager who has contact with the client.  Once the document is reviewed by the client the Project Manager has the security privileges to be able to go to the document library and change the label’s stage.  Now the label is awaiting printing.

With the label at this stage, the Print Operator can print the labels.

Another convenient companion app with BarTender is Print Station.  Using Print Station, the Print Operator is able to quickly find the label they need to print, specify which printer they want BarTender to print to and choose how many labels they want.  No need to go into the design parts of the BarTender applications.

How We Can Help with Your Labelling Project

If you want to implement a compliant labelling system in your regulated business, we can help – in the UK or internationally.

We have a complete set of system validation documentation (in English) that we can use with your project.

Give us a call or contact us through our contact us page.  Alternatively, email us at info@expertlabels.co.uk and request a  project plan to help with your labelling system installation.

Useful Links

Visit the BarTender page on Seagull Scientific’s website:

www.seagullscientific.com/label-software/barcode-label-design-and-printing/bartender-enterprise-automation-edition/

Swing tags, or swing tickets, come in all shapes, sizes, thickness, colours and materials. Choosing the right ticket for your product can feel overwhelming, but that’s where we can help! Read on to find out more about swing tickets and how we can help you.

Swing tags can really set the tone for the product you’re selling.  From rustic and charming to elegant and luxurious, your swing tag can be made to suit your product and strengthen your product awareness in the marketplace.

The first thing you will need to think about is what style of swing tag (or swing ticket) will match your products.  If you’re a vintage clothing shop, a brown craft card with jute string will give a rugged and down to earth vibe.  A high end gift shop might want a more finished and classic tag such as a thick, crisp white card, custom shaped with a nickel eyelet and a beautiful ribbon.  Both of these could be printed both sides with a colour or even a foil effect.  The possibilities are endless!  Once you have decided on the material and print colours, you can choose from many stringing options such as elastic, ribbon and string.

Fancy adding a final touch? Eyelets are a truly eye catching detail to add to your swing tag.  Choose from nickel or brass to make your ticket really stand out.

Need your swing tag to be tough and functional? No problem.  Waterproof PVC or our superbly robust Tyvek are brilliant options.  Again, both of these materials can be printed both sides and strung to suit your needs.  Many of our customers choose to use a brass or nickel eyelet to strengthen the drill hole and a strong cord or elastic stringing.

We can also provide health and safety tickets for you.  This can be anything from warning messages to maintenance tags.  We can provide these tags on bright coloured card, PVC or Tyvek and with washered drill holes to minimise the chance of tearing.  We also hold all of the standard health and safety symbols and graphics you may need.

Call us today on 01359 271 111 to discuss how we can help you with your swing tag requirements or email us at info@expertlabels.co.uk.

The fantastic relationship we build with our clients usually start with a question from them; Can you help me with this?

‘This’ has meant a variety of different problems over the years, from fixing a printer error to creating a bespoke label.  Our technical team here at Expert Labels love to flex their muscles and get stuck in and to find a solution.  Some can be resolved with a phone call, others a visit.

Some time ago we were asked if we can provide a solution to an unusual label problem…

The client had unique label application equipment that needed to work with a specialised label; double sided adhesive labels.  They used these labels to attach promotional gifts for their customers.  The label was stuck to the product and the top of the label was left exposed, ready for the next stage of adding the promotional gift.  The problem the client found was that this double sided adhesive label was not readily available.  Enter Expert Labels!  Our technical team worked hard to find a suitable backing (web) material that was compatible with the existing application equipment.  Our fabulous production team were able to create a label with adhesive on both sides that worked with the client’s existing application equipment and processes.  We also provided the client with these twin sided adhesive stickers on large rolls, 11,000 labels per roll!

These labels are a fantastic tool to use to attach lightweight promotional gifts and giveaways on your products or marketing material.  Call us on 01359 271 111 or email info@expertlabels.co.uk.

If you are experiencing a label issue and need help, come to us!  Our staff constantly pool  their knowledge and experience together to make a friendly, efficient and helpful service for you, our customers.

Originally used as a source of light, candles have been used for over 5,000 years.  More recently, they are a high demand product for home fragrance and gifts.  Candle manufacturing is a fast growing multi million pound industry in the UK alone and shows no signs of slowing down.

If you are one of the many candle companies out there, you will know the importance of dressing your candle to catch the consumers eye.  Candle lovers out there are inundated with choice so it’s up to you to make sure your candle shines bright amongst the competition.  We can help with glorious product labels and chic swing tags.

Brighten up your candle products with foil printed labels.  The foil print looks stylish and eye catching and is available in several striking colours.  Or for a more classic and vintage look, a matt label with subtle pastel colours will be sure to draw attention.

Swing tags are a very contemporary packaging accessory to add to the neck of the candle jar, votive or lantern.  These tags can really set off your product and pack a punch when attracting consumers.  From a brown craft card tag for that rustic impression to silk white card for a luxurious style, plus several stringing options, we can create the perfect tag for your candle product.  We can also provide you with your barcode labels to stick to the tag.  To find out more about barcode labels click here

To make sure your consumers are protected, the current law that applies to the safety of goods is The General product Safety Regulation (GPSR).  Although there are no specific laws that relate directly to candles, you will need to adhere to the European Standards.  These standards will give guidance as to how safety with candles might be achieved.  If your product needs extensive information for your consumers, a peel and reveal label might be a good option for you.  These labels can be up to five pages and can include caution symbols, ingredients and warnings.  If you need more than five pages, you will need a multipage or booklet label.  These are a neat way of encompassing several pages of information and applying it to the lid or base of your product.

Give us a call on 01359 271 111 or email us on info@expertlabels.co.uk to discuss your label and swing tag needs.

What are the UK Regulations for Food Labelling?

Are you aware of what the Food Labelling Regulations are in the UK?

Do you have a product that needs labelling and not sure what you do or do not need to include?

If so Expert Labels can help. For a full printable list please click the link below.

Expert Labels – March Food Labels Blog Checklist 2018

If you require any more information or help with your labelling please do not hesitate to contact us where a member of our team will be more than happy to help.

Biodegradable Labels

Anybody watching the news recently will have seen the stories on plastic waste and the problems it is causing to our environment and our lives. We have all seen the pictures of rivers full of plastic bottles and cartons, of landfill overflowing with un-recycled litter.  Whales dying from plastic filling their stomachs.  This is a serious global problem, with complex solutions. 

Labelling and packaging prices are driven by volumes.  Unfortunately biodegradable labels are not as widely used as they should be at the moment and prices are high. 

If you are interested and want to do your bit for future generations, request a sample or a quote and we can help.

If you are interested in a quote Click here to visit the Biodegradable product page.

 Our lives have never been busier and as a consequence we turn to disposable     products like bottled water, take away coffee and lunch on the go all in handy   plastic containers. This plastic poses a huge threat not only to our environment   but also to our health. Plastic is made by using a number of toxic chemicals.       These have the potential to leak into the food and water we are consuming.

 According to the journal Science Advances the calculated total volume of all   plastic ever produced is 8.3bn tonnes, with a staggering 6.3bn tonnes now as   waste. 79% of this is now in landfill or the natural environment. Whilst plastic is   undeniably useful we should all be finding ways to decrease our usage.

Expert Labels Ltd provide completely biodegradable labels for a variety of uses, and completely compostable labels are also available for other particular packaging applications where needed.

Expert Labels offer the following environmentally friendly labels:

• Biodegradable semi gloss paper labels (FSC certified by the Forest Stewardship Council) are suitable for a wide range of  promotional and industrial label uses and we can offer these plain or full colour printed. This material is printable by most printing methods including thermal transfer.

• Biodegradable (FSC certified) matt white thermal transfer printable labels are ideal for situations where label presentation is less important (i.e. warehouse labels, outer case labels and labels for  in-house identification). This material is printable by most printing methods including thermal transfer.

• Biodegradable and compostable white high gloss film labels are available, with a print receptive top coating.  These labels are great for food items including fruit and vegetables, drink bottles and healthcare products and can be printed in full colour to a high standard. All the labels are compliant with the European Food Regulations for direct contact with dry, non fatty food items.  The adhesive used is acrylic based and biodegradable.  The labels are water and tear resistant.

• Biodegradable and compostable clear gloss film labels are available, with a print receptive top coating.  These labels are also especially good for food items and healthcare products and can be printed in full colour for a high quality presentation.  All the labels are compliant with the European Food Regulations for direct contact with dry, non fatty food items.  The adhesive used is acrylic based and biodegradable with good initial tack and adhesion and the labels are water and tear resistant.

Even though labels are just a small part of packaging as a whole, we should all be striving to reduce our plastic waste, recycle more effectively and improve biodegradability for a positive impact on the environment. 

To find out more about our biodegradable labels and to get a quote, contact us here or click on the Chat button in the bottom right corner.

Branding is what your customers feel when they think about your products.  If your cosmetics products aren’t talking to your customers they’ll ignore you.  Your products’ packaging is the most powerful way to get listened to and in turn build a brand.  Here’s how to use your cosmetics labels to make your customers fall in love with your products.

Getting your company brand right is absolutely crucial. This is the face of your company. It should be as unique as you are and set your business apart from the rest.

Branding is more important today than ever. With an ever increasing number of new products coming onto the market, your company must visually and emotionally connect to your prospective market.  The cosmetics industry is HUGE and your company brand needs to stand out from the crowd.

How do I create a Brand for my company?

A good place to start is to think about what you want your company to stand for. What are your values? It could be environmental, economic or the well being of your customers.

Questions to ask yourself include: –

• Who is my target customer?
• What message do I want to get across about my company?
• Do I have a story people can relate to?
• What do I want my customers to remember about my brand or product?
• Is there anything that your company can offer that others cannot?
• What do my customers need?
• What promise are you making to your customers?

Creating a Label that is Right for my Company.

Creating a label for your product that builds a relationship with your brand is crucial. Every time you change your labelling you’re altering the relationship your customers enjoy with your brand.  Your labels are something that you don’t want to change unless you have to, so it’s important to get it right first time.

You don’t need reminding of the importance of consistency across a range of products.

Checklist of things to consider when designing your cosmetics label include:

Colours – high contrast labels Black on Yellow gives a totally different impression of your product than gold on black.
Graphic design – ‘elegant’ flowing fonts versus a no nonsense stencil font would attract a very different client.
Label shapes – simple rectangular or wrap around label versus different shapes such as circular.  Remember that circular labels aren’t as common as rectangular labels so the range of sizes is smaller.  Consider using a rectangular label but with a circular design.
Legal requirements – such as ingredients, net weight etc.  these need to be incorporated into your label design.
Barcodes and product codes – there are size limitations when it comes to barcodes.  These need to be included in your labels, and need to be taken into account during the design phase.  We have more than 25 years barcode experience and we’d be happy to help you plan for barcodes on your labels and packaging.
Story – if you’re telling a story – you will need to keep it brief – because you will never have enough label space.

What label features can I use to build a brand?

The best type of material for labels that are likely to encounter high moisture exposure would be one of various synthetics.

A clear synthetic is one of the most versatile materials available for label printing and will provide the appearance of the popular no label look. When used with an ultra clear permanent adhesive it will endure damp conditions without losing its clean appearance.  These labels are water and oil resistant making them perfect for the cosmetic industry.

Gold and silver foiling adds the feeling of quality and exclusivity.  Using a high resolution thermal printer and silver (or gold) coloured thermal ribbon can achieve that quality appearance on a much smaller print run that you’d normally need.

Textured finishes – on paper or plastic.  Can be as simple as embossing your labels or choosing a synthetic label material with a matt finish – almost like a extra-fine sandpaper effect.  The moment your client touches your product it feels different.  It’s different and adds an extra dimension to your brand image.

Holographic effect labels –  these rainbow reflective labels can add a feeling of exclusivity.  True holographic labels are very expensive and difficult to obtain.

Peel & Reveal labels – Use these to run competitions and promotions.

Leaflet labels – Leaflet or fold out labels give you the space to really tell your story – or on a less exciting level – provide all the legal information needed for your product.

Ready to take the next step?

To discuss your labelling needs further please do not hesitate to contact Expert Labels. We understand the importance of excellent branding and offer a wide variety of labels that will suit your every need.

Barcode verifiers are the undisputed way to ensure your barcode labels are up to standard.  Read on to learn what everyone needs to know about them.

Thermal label printers are widely agreed to be the best way of printing barcodes.  However, they wear through their printheads and eventually white lines can appear in barcodes.  These white lines can prevent barcodes from scanning.  

Sometimes the first you know that your codes won’t scan is when your customers phone to say they’re rejecting your last consignment of product.  If it’s fresh product, you are likely to end up scrapping your entire shipment.  Just to rub salt into your already tender wounds, larger retailers will actually fine you for non compliance.

Even on a personal level, you’ll have experienced poor quality barcodes yourself if you use self scanning checkouts at the supermarket and a product just won’t scan!  It’s frustrating and time consuming.  

What should you do to prevent that from happening?  

Barcode verification is the jargon phrase for “barcode quality” checking. Barcode verification grades seven barcode qualities to make sure it is of a high enough quality for scanning purposes.  A barcode verifier is the ‘instrument’ used to grade the barcode and can identify if there are any issues within.  

A verifier will grade the colour contrast, the ratio of thick and thin bars – all that sort of stuff you’d rather not have to worry about.  If there is an issue with even just one of the grades, the verifier can tell you and then you can fix the problem – without needing to get a call from an angry customer.

What do I need to know about barcode verifiers?

First of all – barcode verifiers aren’t just barcode readers.  They are highly tuned instruments for measuring barcodes.  A verifier can give you a report that you can use in court and is a key part of any company’s quality assurance programme.  Not only do you need a key quality tool, but you need staff trained to interpret and act on the results.  We can help in this area also.

Smaller barcode verifiers start from around £1,650.  These will read narrower barcodes – typically up to 68mm wide.  If you need a larger verifier (for reading pallet barcodes up to 195mm) you can expect to pay in excess of £3,000.

Portable units are available, as are verifiers for 2D barcodes.    

If you think this is expensive then you probably haven’t experienced a product recall because of substandard barcodes.

If you can’t commit the budget to a barcode verifier, just having a basic barcode reader to sample barcodes for readability could warn you if your barcodes need investigation.  Contact us for suitable low cost scanners.

If you feel your business could benefit from a barcode verifier, please contact us on 01359 271 111 of click the chat button below.

Updated: 22 Jan 2021