Is your industry set to benefit from linerless labels?

Due to their structure, linerless labels are not suitable for every application. However, it is worth considering whether some labeling could be done with these environmentally friendly labels in the future.

Linerless labels: What they are and how they work

But what is a linerless label? With a linerless label, there is no backing paper to peel off. In addition, linerless labels are always supplied on a roll, similar in structure to a roll of adhesive tape, so there is no liner to separate the adhesive on the back of the label from the next layer. With conventional labels, there is a silicone-coated liner in between, which always creates waste that has to be disposed of on-site and then recycled. Because it is difficult to recycle, it is part of the residual waste stream. This means that labels with liner require additional processes that are completely eliminated for linerless labels, where only the empty roll needs to be disposed of. And it offers almost twice as many labels as a roll of conventional labels of the same size, because no additional backing paper is required.

See how it's done: Which industries use linerless labels?

A look at how these labels are used can help to better understand their benefits:

• What kind of applications are linerless labels best suited for?
• What needs to be considered?

Some sectors, such as food service, transport and logistics and retail, have recognised the benefits of linerless labels.

Retail: Why many goods are labelled with linerless labels

Retailers also use linerless labels to easily track and identify goods in-house and in the event of returns. The labels are applied directly to the products when they arrive. If the price is also printed on the label, it can also be used as a price tag. Linerless price labels can also be applied separately to the packaging when the goods are delivered, when they are sorted, or they can be applied directly to the goods.

Retailers also use linerless labels for a variety of additional labelling needs. For example, they may use them for promotional campaigns or to identify special offers or discontinued items. Staff can then quickly and easily apply the labels directly to the shelf or garment rack using a linerless printer. Since the length of the labels is modifiable, they can be adapted to the amount of text required, saving label material and reducing the potential risk of any waste labels becoming tripping hazards for customers.

Desktop printing solutions are recommended for incoming goods, while mobile printers are usually used for subsequent labelling of sorted goods. Depending on the kind of use, it may be appropriate to use labels with a special adhesive that can be easily removed from textiles or other goods without leaving any residue. There are now many different types of adhesives for specific uses. But removable adhesive labels are used most commonly.

Find out more about linerless labels

Food industry: How linerless labels enable correct labelling

When sold within the EU, food must be labelled in the local language with all ingredients, the use-by date and any warnings about allergens or alcohol. This requires individual labelling.

The adoption of linerless labelling by food manufacturers and importers enables the optimisation of the labelling process. Label rolls without backing material last longer than those with backing material. As more labels fit on a roll, they need to be changed less frequently. This reduces downtime and increases process efficiency. Additionally, the labels' length is modifiable. Labelling adapts to the amount of information, saving label material and the space required to store rolls of labels. This further improves process efficiency and saves costs.

In food retailing, for example, linerless labels make it easier to label products on shelves, at fresh food counters and at the scales in the fruit and vegetable department. Staff or customers can remove the linerless label from the printer and stick it directly onto the packaged goods. It is easy and there is no waste in the customer area of a supermarket and behind the counter. It also reduces the risk of tripping as there is no slippery backing paper on the floor. Freshly packaged foods such as meat, fish, cheese, deli salads or lunchboxes in trays, paper bags or jars can be easily labelled with all the necessary information. When labelling food directly, such as fruit and vegetables, care must be taken to ensure that the linerless label adhesive complies with food regulations, as it comes into direct contact with the food.

Transport & Logistics: How linerless labels make processes more efficient

In the transport and logistics industry, for example, it is useful to attach (linerless) labels to transport boxes, pallets and containers, showing the origin and destination as well as a barcode. This makes it easy to identify, locate and assign transport boxes.

This is already standard practice in the industry and makes processes very efficient. Even labelling itself is more efficient with linerless labels than with conventional ones, because the specific label is printed and applied directly to the desired surface, similar to adhesive tape from a roll. There is also no need to dispose of coated liner.

Even the products and containers in a warehouse can be tagged with product information, ID numbers and barcodes for inventory control and warehouse management.

In addition, linerless labels are ideal as environmentally friendly shipping labels for outbound parcels and packages. The printing process can be integrated into an automated parcel sorting and transport system. Because a roll of linerless labels contains almost twice as many labels as a roll with backing paper, the need to change the roll is significantly reduced. This saves time and reduces downtime, making the printing process more efficient. Especially when large quantities of labels are used, costs are saved in the long term. In addition, automation is simplified as there is no backing paper to remove from the transport area and dispose of. All this increases efficiency and saves costs. However, due to the sticky underside of the labels, the guide elements require more frequent cleaning than printing solutions with backing paper.

Advantages of linerless labels in transport and logistics

How to find the best labelling solution for your needs

These examples show that linerless labels can often provide efficient and more environmentally friendly labelling. Key industries such as food services, transport & logistics and retail have been using them for years. And they are also suitable for labelling goods, packaging, boxes and other products in many other sectors. The market now offers a wide range of adhesives for a variety of surfaces, including those suitable for food.

The following factors ought to be considered when selecting a printer: Direct thermal printing is used to print on labels without a liner, so colour printing is not yet possible. Special direct thermal printers feed the adhesive label smoothly through the device, print and cut it using an integrated automatic cutting unit. These printers are now available as desktop 2" and 4" devices for a wide range of applications.

Interested? Our linerless labelling experts will be happy to advise you on your labelling application.

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