Linerless Labels – A Small Technology with Big Advantages

Small Difference – Big Impact

Linerless labels come in several variations. You can choose between different paper types, thermal types, and adhesives depending on what the labels will be used for.

Stefan: The only difference between regular labels and linerless labels is that the honey glass backing paper has been removed from linerless labels. Otherwise, the label is the same. You can get them in the same qualities as labels with backing paper.

Many people wonder: How can the backing paper be omitted? What prevents everything from sticking together? We asked the experts and got this answer:

Stefan: The surface treatment that was on the backing paper, which is a silicone coating, has been applied to the top of the label. Therefore, the label doesn’t stick to itself, even though it has the same adhesive. It’s just the top of the label that is different.

Adhesive for Every Need
The adhesive strength of linerless labels depends on what the label is used for. Where should it sit, and for how long? Is it for shelf marking in a dry warehouse, or is it a shipping label that needs to withstand some water and other external influences? Fortunately, there are many options, so you can find the perfect solution.

Torben: You’re not limited to just one removable adhesive or one permanent type. There’s a whole range of different adhesives, so you’ll most likely find exactly the media that fits your company and your needs. That surprised me when I started looking into it. I thought there was only one type of adhesive, and that was it. But that’s not the case at all.

Stefan: There are also more environmentally friendly adhesives and gentler ones available with linerless today. So, it’s worth exploring the options further because you save the environment from waste, and you can get an adhesive that perfectly matches your product.

Great and Durable Print Quality

It’s important that the label sticks as it should, but print quality also matters. If you can’t read the information on the label, the marking is useless. This was naturally considered when developing linerless labels. Many use them as shipping labels, so it’s crucial that they withstand transport from A to B and that recipients can be identified.

Stefan: If you buy labels in thermal top quality, which linerless comes in, you actually get a really great print. Clear black, high resolution, sharp. And I recommend buying the new 300 dpi label printers that print thermally, if possible, because it gives a better barcode and better print.
Another thing is that thermal top can withstand moisture. If you have a lot of overseas shipping by air, it’s not uncommon for your packages to get a little rain at the airport. I have a customer who has repeatedly received a mail cage where all the labels were washed away because it had been standing for a long time and was sent overseas. What do you do then?

There’s no doubt that linerless labels are a small technology with big advantages: less waste, strong adhesion, and good print quality that resists moisture. In our next articles, we’ll take a closer look at the label printers that can print on linerless labels and how the actual printing process works.

Want to get started with linerless? Contact us today to learn more about your options.

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