Which Label Applicator is Right for Your Business?

HOW TO SELECT A LABEL APPLICATOR

Recently, we detailed the basics of label applicators. Today, we’re covering how to select a label applicator that is right for your business needs. There are several key considerations when selecting a label applicator that depend upon the label size, production considerations, and the product shape. Read on to find out how to tell which label applicator is right for your business.

CONSIDERATIONS IN CHOOSING A LABEL APPLICATOR

When you decide to invest in a label applicator, you want to make sure that it suits your product and production needs properly. These include the product surface, the label shape and the label size, the label materials, and the application rate, the label placement, and the desired accuracy level. Once you’ve surveyed these criteria, you can then make an informed decision when choosing your application device. We’ll break down these categories a bit further below.

Product Surface

When you pick an applicator, you need to account for the product surface. Depending upon whether it is a flat surface, curved, or has a specific texture, there are different applicators that can apply your label more accurately than others.

Label Shape and Label Size

Applicators need to be able to fit the width and length of the label in question. When it comes to specialty shapes, the label applicator must be able to accommodate any specific die cutting or relief patterns that might affect the application.

Label Materials

When choosing an applicator, you’ll also need to think about the label materials. Your applicator should be suitable to whatever substrate, inks, and specialty details your label includes.

Application Rate

When choosing your applicator, you’ll need to consider the rate at which you need the application to occur. This will determine whether you choose a manual applicator, a semi-automatic applicator, or a fully automatic application system. Additionally, you’ll also want to think ahead and plan for production expansions so that you can be sure your label applicator can grow with your business.

Label Placement

The applicator you choose needs to be able to apply your label correctly to your product. This means that you’ll have to consider the label placement to make sure that the applicator can suit not only the product shape and the label shape and size, but also how you want the combination of label and product to eventually look.

Desired Accuracy

The last consideration you’ll want to make is the desired accuracy for your label’s placement. Some applicators, such as hand-held applicators, require the person wielding the applicator to take on the responsibility of label placement. Other applicators place the label consistently but require the loading of the product to be placed accurately in order for the label to be applied in the same area, such as some bottle label applicators. Others have machinery that can place and apply the label in a certain spot or area every time.

Finding which label applicator is right for your business is easy with help from our Derksen Co. team. You can inquire about label application or other labeling-related topics by using our contact us page. To find out more about how to select a label applicator, call us at 920-685-4000 or email us at team@derksenco.com.