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| Adding tamper-evident _____(s) on a label is one of the most common and cost effective ways to create a label that shows if a product has been opened or tampered with. |
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| A ______ adhesive construction is used with face-stocks that would likely be removed in one piece as with a film face-stock. The label leaves the word "void" on the product when the label is removed. |
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| Using a _______ vinyl is another way of creating a tamper-evident construction with the face-stock. It tears off in tiny pieces once applied to product. |
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| _____ images embedded into a face stock can either overly or covertly be used for product verification. |
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Definition
| can be used in instances where products need to be in controlled environments, as with some pharmaceuticals that need to be kept cool. These are color chagrining inks based on temperature. The inks can be created to be reversible or irreversible, with temperature changes. |
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Definition
| change their appearance with different light sources. They may appear white until viewed under a neon light in which they would appear pink. |
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Definition
| can be added to a design to show authenticity. |
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| features like variable data and serial numbering may also be an option to brand protection |
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Definition
| can be revealed with the used of a infrared light for anti-counterfeiting a product label. |
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Definition
| can be added to face stock or inks of a label. These are microscopic chemical markers that are detected with a special reader to determine if a product is authentic or counterfeit. |
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| T or F: the shape of a label can be both a branding and security device by using unique shapes that are easily recognized but not easily duplicated making it more difficult to counterfeit. |
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Definition
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| Typical applications for security labels |
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Definition
price labels
luxury goods
pharma products
wines and spirits
chemical drums |
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Term
| What is thermal transfer printing? |
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Definition
| a digital printing process in which material is applied to paper (or some other material) by melting a coating of ribbon so that it stays glued to the material on which the print is applied. It contrasts with direct thermal printing where no ribbon is present in the process. |
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Definition
* allows you to sell additional products into your accounts
* Minimizes your competitors
* Allows you to increase your sale by 25%. |
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Term
| What are the 3 primary ribbon formations for labels? |
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Definition
| wax, also known as resin- enhanced wax, wax/resin, and resin. |
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Term
| Wax thermal transfer ribbons |
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Definition
| the most common ribbons used. Theya re the least expensive of the 3 primary formulations while still offering acceptable performance. When compared to their ribbon counterparts, they require the least amount of heat to transfer the ink from the label to the ribbon. Most common substrates include coated paper and tag stocks, flood-coated labels, polypropylene, and gloss paper. Typical applications include shipping, retail. inventory, and product identification. |
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Term
| Wax/resin thermal transfer ribbons |
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Definition
| as the names implies, are a combination of wax and resin. This combination varies by manufacturer. Adding resin to the formulation allows for added image durability and heat resistance beyond what is found in a wax formulation. Wax/resin ribbons are also more expensive than the wax ribbons. The amount of heat required to transfer the ink from the ribbon to the label increases because of the additional amount of resin found in this ribbon. Most common substrates include coated paper, flood-coated labels, polypropylene, and polyethylene. Typical applications include healthcare, horticulture, inventory, shelf, product identification, and shipping. |
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Term
| Resin thermal transfer ribbons |
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Definition
have a performance level well beyond that of a wax or
wax/resin ribbon. They are also considerably more expensive than both wax and wax/resin ribbons. In
addition, significantly more heat is required to transfer the ink from the ribbon to the label. Most common
substrates include polypropylene, vinyl, polyolefin, and polyester. Typical applications include outdoor, asset
tracking, chemical drum, electronic component, and automotive. |
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Term
| Industries that require durable goods labeling |
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Definition
Automotive – labels must withstand temperature extremes and exposure to liquids such as brake fluid and
engine oil
Consumer Electronics – reliable performance for a wide range of application options
Domestic Appliances – face stock and adhesive combinations that work well in a variety of temperatures
and conditions
Electronics Components – labels that survive high heat, exposure to chemicals, washes and abrasion
Industrial Applications – weather and temperature resistant materials suitable for thermal transfer and
laser printing for a broad range of container sizes, and surfaces |
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Term
As with all labeling, it is critically important to understand the application, label
environment and function that the label is required to perform in order to supply the correct
face stock and adhesive configuration.
Some of the key questions you need to ask are listed below. |
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Definition
What is the label applied to? (metal, plastic, paper etc.)
Under what conditions is the label applied? (hot, cold, harsh, dirty etc.)
What function does the label perform and under what conditions?
Does the label have to be imprinted by you or the end user? If so, by what means?
(TT, DT, Laser)
Is the label hand or machine applied?
Do you have a drawing for the label?
Does the label have to be UL or CUL approved?
What is the life expectancy of the label?
Is this a new application?
If an existing application, what material has been used previously? |
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Term
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Definition
| a paper or plastic-based film sheet (usually applied during the manufacturing process) used to prevent a sticky surface from prematurely adhering. |
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Definition
| have a special release coating applied to the face of the label which allows the labels to be wound on a roll without the adhesive sticking to the label below it. Eliminating the liner is a smarter and greener solution by reducing solid waste stream and minimizing silicone in landfills. |
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| In general, what is the average life of a Direct Thermal print head? |
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Definition
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| Things that cause wear and tear on Direct Thermal print heads |
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Definition
Abrasion: The process of wearing down the print head through friction caused by the passing
thermal stock. A print head’s protective coating will eventually wear off due to normal use
regardless of maintenance and printing conditions.
Corrosion: A gradual deterioration of the print head will occur because of using the wrong media,
incorrect cleaning agents and contributing environmental factors.
Contamination: Particles such as dust, dirt and inks can damage the print head.
Moisture: Humid or damp environments will drastically reduce print head life.
Residue: Inferior thermal stock, incorrect cleaning agents and security foils will cause buildup
over time impacting print quality.
Dead Pixels: Refers to sections on the print head that no longer heat up, causing the printer to
no longer print on the affected areas.
Temperature: Use the lowest print speed setting that produces acceptable results. Again, this
helps reduce mechanical wear on the print head. Excessive heating and cooling of the print
head dots will shorten the life of the print head.
Clean the platen. Dust from paper can build up on the platen and print head in your thermal
printer. Periodically clean the platen by carefully wiping it with a lint-free cloth treated with
isopropyl alcohol. |
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| Routine Maintenance of Direct Thermal printheads will extend the life & improve print quality |
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Definition
Cleaning frequency is dependent on the type of direct thermal printer, environment,
and print volume. For moderate daily use, thermal printers should be cleaned two to three
times per week, and daily if your stock is heavily used on coated paper or with color or security
foils.
Extreme caution should be taken when cleaning your print heads. All jewelry and sharp objects
should be removed prior to working on thermal printers to prevent accidental damage. A
scratched print head is impossible to repair and will mar the results of your printed ticket.
Only approved cleaning solutions should be used. One such solvent is isopropyl alcohol that
evaporates quickly without leaving residue.
Thermal cleaning swabs are readily available and come pre-dipped in alcohol. Swabs are easy to
use and can access most hard to reach parts. Gently rub the print head and rollers with the
swab until all visible residue disappears.
Compressed-air dusters can effectively remove dust and large particles from the printer. |
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Term
| What is a pressure sensitive label? |
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Definition
| made of a facestock, (which can be paper or synthetic material), adhesive and a liner. Linered labels make up the majority of PS labels currently used. There is a growing movement toward linerless labels in an effort to reduce materials in the waste stream. |
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Term
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Definition
| made of either paper or synthetic materials, and coming in a variety of thicknesses, they have a hole for a string, a chadless cut, or are put in a slot or pocket of a product. most tags are non-adhesive but some applications may require tags with adhesive. |
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Term
| How are labels and tags made? |
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Definition
| Steel dies are used to cut labels and tags to the desired size and shape in the majority of cases. The balance of labels are cut with lasers or other technologies to shape them. |
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Term
| Most labels and tags are produced via these processes. These are also used to make static barcodes. |
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Definition
1. Flexographic
2. offset
3. digital |
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Term
| What is a static barcode? |
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Definition
| the information never changes within the barcode. |
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Term
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Definition
| It is a process that uses a raised flexible (photopolymer) plate which wraps around a cylinder to imprint the label material. A rotary die then cuts the label shape out of the material and the waste matrix (area between the printed labels) is stripped away. |
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Term
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Definition
| With offset printing the inked image is transferred (or "offset") from a plate to a rubber blanket, then to the printing surface. |
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Term
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Definition
| adds the image directly to a label substrate from a digital file. There are no printing plates involved in this process and each label/image can be different or static, depending on the information in the file. |
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Term
| What is a variable label? |
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Definition
Include information such as
•Lot numbers
•Date of manufacturing
•Origin of product
This information is used to track back through the supply chain and are often printed at the customers site. |
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Term
| what is a non variable label? |
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Definition
| There is no information attached or hidden in them. The main purpose of many of these labels is to identify and brand the product and share content information. |
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Term
| What happens to a label or tag once it is shipped to the customer? |
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Definition
Laser, ink jet, and thermal printers may be used at customer sites to add variable information to the pre-printed labels and tags.
The label or tag is then applied to whatever item the customer has ordered them for,(car parts, shipping labels, cartons, rolls of steel, pharmaceuticals etc….)the list is never-ending.
Labels are used in almost every part of our daily life to convey product information. |
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Term
| There are two types of thermal printing. What are they? |
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Definition
| Direct thermal and thermal transfer. |
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Term
| What is direct thermal printing? |
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Definition
| heat and pressure applied to the label substrate from the print head activate the chemistry in the paper darkening the surface to show the copy or image. |
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Term
| What is thermal transfer printing? |
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Definition
| a ribbon comes in contact with the print head to transfer the image using heat and pressure the label substrate. |
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Term
| There are three types of thermal transfer ribbons. What are they? |
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Definition
| Wax, wax resin, and resin |
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Term
| Explain what a wax thermal transfer ribbon is. |
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Definition
| Inexpensive and good for warehouse use. These labels are not as durable as the other 2 and generally run slower on press. |
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| Explain what a Wax resin transfer ribbon is. |
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Definition
| Is a harder ink and more resistant to abrasion. It runs faster than wax, but slower than resin. Wax resin ribbons cost more the wax, but less than resin. |
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Term
| Explain what a Resin transfer ribbon is. |
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Definition
| Resin ribbons are used mostly on synthetic substrates. They are resistant to high temperatures, smearing, and chemicals and generally run faster than the other two. They are also priced higher. |
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Term
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Definition
| require a ribbon when printing. Both the labels and the ribbon feed through the printer, and the printer applies heat to the ribbon to transfer the wax and resin onto the label (hence the term thermal transfer). The printer uses the ribbon similarly to the way an inkjet printer would use ink to print on paper, but with heated wax and resin replacing the ink. Ribbons are available in colors other than black, so you can have multicolored printing. The resulting label is fairly scratch resistant, can be detailed, and can last a long time. View our thermal transfer labels selection. |
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Definition
| do not require a ribbon to print. The labels feed through the printer and the printer applies heat directly to the label (hence the term direct thermal). As the the print head runs over the label, it heats the label and a chemical reaction with the face stock causes the heated portions to darken. Think of a receipt printer when you think direct thermal. Since direct thermal printers do not require a ribbon, they can be smaller and take up less space. It is also cheaper to buy direct labels since you do not have to purchase ribbon. The downside to direct thermal labels is that they are not scratch resistant (premium direct thermal is somewhat scratch resistant, but not completely heat resistant) and they do not last as long especially when stored in warm places or in direct sunlight. View our direct thermal labels selection. |
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