A Guide to Essential Terms in Label Manufacturing

The label manufacturing industry uses a variety of specialized terms that can be confusing if you’re not familiar with them. From materials to printing methods, understanding these terms can help you choose the right solution for your labeling needs. In this blog, we’ll break down some of the most commonly used terms in label production.

Direct Thermal: Ink-Free Printing

Direct Thermal is a printing method that uses heat-sensitive paper. The print head heats the paper to create text or images without the need for ink, toner, or ribbons. This method is efficient and cost-effective for short-term applications.

Common Uses: Shipping labels, receipts.

Thermal Transfer: Durable Prints

Thermal Transfer printing uses a heated print head to transfer ink from a ribbon to the label material. This results in high-quality, durable prints that resist fading, moisture, and abrasion, making it ideal for labels that need to last longer.

Common Uses: Product labels, barcode labels, industrial labels.

Poly Material: Durable and Flexible

Poly Material refers to synthetic plastic-based materials like polyester (PET), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene (PE). These materials are known for their durability, flexibility, and resistance to harsh environmental conditions, making them ideal for tough applications.

Common Uses: Outdoor labels, chemical product labels.

Paper Material: Cost-Effective and Versatile

Paper Material is a common and affordable label material. Available in a variety of matte and gloss finishes, paper labels are suitable for general-purpose applications, particularly when long-term durability is not required.

Common Uses: Retail price tags, shipping labels, promotional labels.

Application: The Label’s Purpose

Application refers to the intended use of the label. Different labels are designed for specific applications, such as product labeling, barcodes, or compliance labels. Understanding the surface, product and environmental conditions that the label is being applied to helps determine the best materials, adhesive, and printing method.

Pressure Sensitive Label: Adheres with Pressure

A pressure-sensitive label (PSL) is a type of label that adheres to a surface without the need for heat, water, or solvent. Instead, it uses a special adhesive that bonds to the surface when pressure is applied. These labels typically consist of three layers:

1. Face Stock: The top layer, usually made of paper, plastic, or film, which carries the printed design or text.
2. Adhesive: A layer of pressure-sensitive adhesive that allows the label to stick to the surface when pressure is applied, without needing heat or moisture.
3. Release liner: A backing paper or film that protects the adhesive until the label is ready to be applied. Once the liner is removed, the adhesive is exposed, and the label can be applied to a surface.

Pressure-sensitive labels are commonly used for product labeling, shipping, and branding, as they offer ease of use, quick application, and can adhere to a wide range of surfaces.

Face Stock: The Top Layer

Face Stock is the top layer of a label, the part that carries the printed image or text. Face stocks can be constructed of paper or synthetic materials, and the choice depends on the label’s intended use and environment.

Common Uses: Product labels, brand labels, barcode labels.

Substrate: The Base Layer

Substrate refers to the underlying material on which the label’s face stock is applied. Substrates vary in composition and are selected based on the intended application, durability, and environmental conditions of the label. Substrates can include paper, synthetic, vinyl, film, and acetate that provide support for the face stock.

Adhesive: Ensuring Stickiness

Adhesive is the layer on the back of a label that allows it to stick to surfaces. Adhesives can be permanent, removable, or repositionable, depending on the label’s specific application requirements.

Common Uses: Shipping labels, product labels, promotional stickers.

Perforation: Easy Separation

Perforation refers to a series of small, evenly spaced holes punched into label material. Perforations can be placed between individual labels and tags, allowing them to be easily torn apart without damaging the rest of the media. Without perforations, the labels must be separated by cutting with scissors or using the printer’s auto-cut feature.

Common Uses: Ticketing, event badges, coupon books, die cut labels

Timing Mark: Label Alignment

A timing mark is a mark or reference point on the label to synchronize the label printing or dispensing process crucial for high-speed printing or automated label application. They are typically small, non-printable marks (such as a black line, dot, or pattern) placed along the edge or between labels. Timing marks ensure that the printer knows exactly where each label starts and ends, preventing overlap, skipping, or improper placement.

Gap: Spacing Between Labels

Gap refers to the empty space between labels on a roll or fan fold media. This gap ensures that each label is properly separated during printing, cutting, and dispensing, preventing jams and ensuring smooth operation. Gaps can be perforated to easily separate the labels. 

Die Cut

Die Cutting is a process used to cut labels into standard or custom shapes or designs. A die tool is used to stamp the label material, allowing manufacturers to create labels with unique shapes for branding or functionality.

Common Uses: Custom-shaped product labels, promotional stickers.

Full Bleed: Edge-to-Edge Printing

Full Bleed refers to a label design where the print extends all the way to the edge of the label, without a border or margin. This allows for a more polished and professional look, especially in branding and promotional labels.

Continuous Label: Uninterrupted Labeling

A Continuous Label refers to a label format that comes in a continuous strip of a specified width, with no gaps or perforations separating individual labels. This format allows for on-demand customization of label length and quantity, making it highly flexible for various applications. Continuous label rolls are designed to be fed into label printers or applicators, making them ideal for high-volume labeling needs. They are commonly used in scenarios where large quantities of labels need to be printed quickly and efficiently.

Common Uses: Large-scale packaging operations, inventory tracking, industrial labels, shipping labels, and barcodes or sequential number labels.

Fan Fold Labels

Fan Fold Labels are folded in an accordion-style format, and fed through the printer externally, unlike traditional roll labels. This folding method allows the labels to be stored in flat stacks, making them easy to handle and dispense one at a time. Fan fold labels are compatible with many tabletop label printers that also accept roll labels, offering versatility in printing. They are particularly useful in applications where individual labels need to be dispensed sequentially and stored neatly in stacks for easy access.

Common Uses: Tradeshow badges, large chemical drum labels, visitation badges.

Roll Labels

Roll Labels are a type of label format where both die-cut and continuous labels are wound onto a roll for easy dispensing and application. This roll format is commonly used in high-volume labeling applications, such as product labeling, shipping, and packaging.

The roll size is typically described by two key measurements: core size (diameter of the inner core) and outer diameter (the total roll diameter) ensuring compatibility with different types of printers. Roll labels can be printed using various technologies such as inkjet, direct thermal and thermal transfer printers.

Common Uses: Product labels, shipping labels, retail tags.

Inkjet: High-Quality Printing

Inkjet printing is a method where tiny droplets of ink are dispensed through precise nozzles onto label material. Inkjet printing produces high-resolution, full-color, photo-quality images, ideal for printing labels with intricate designs, gradients, and photographs. Inkjet printers are versatile and can print on a wide range of label materials, making them suitable for both small and large batch printing, as well as variable data printing (such as different serial numbers or custom information on each label).

Common Uses: Personalized labels, short-run printing, full color graphics.

Laser: Precision and Speed

Laser Printing uses a laser beam to create an electrostatic image on a drum, which is then transferred to label material using toner (a fine powder). The toner is fused to the surface with heat. Laser printing produces sharp, precise text and crisp lines, making it ideal for printing large amounts of text, barcodes, and simple graphics. Works best with paper-based labels and certain synthetic materials that are heat-resistant because the fusing process uses heat that can degrade a heat sensitive label.

Common Uses: Office labeling, barcode printing, product identification.

Wind Position: Direction of Label Dispensing

Wind Position refers to the orientation of labels on a roll, specifically how the label is wound. It determines whether the label is dispensed facing up or down, which is crucial for ensuring that the labels are applied correctly in automated machines.

Calibration

Calibration refers to the process of adjusting and fine-tuning printing equipment to ensure that labels are printed accurately and consistently on the chosen material. This is especially important when using different types of label materials (e.g., paper, film, or specialty substrates) as the characteristics of each material can affect how the printer applies ink, toner, or other printing technologies.

GHS: Global Labeling Standards

GHS stands for the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals. It is a set of standards for labeling chemicals with hazard symbols and safety information, ensuring consistent and clear communication of potential hazards worldwide.

Common Uses: Chemical product labels, safety labels, hazardous material labeling.

Understanding these key terms in label manufacturing will help you make informed decisions when selecting the right materials, printing methods, and design for your labels. Whether you're dealing with high-volume production, specialty labels, or compliance requirements, these terms provide a foundation for creating labels that meet your needs.  Have questions about labels? We have answers! Let Mediajet help you identify successful print and labeling solutions.