4 Tips For Perfectly Applying Labels Every Time

Creating an engaging and well-designed label for your product is critical for success but applying that label to your product is just as important.

Labels that are not applied correctly can leave your product looking poor quality and can have a detrimental impact on sales. Most manufacturers will either be applying labels by hand or using labelling machinery; whichever option you choose, it is vital to get it right. As labelling machine specialists, we know a thing or two about applying labels. We are sharing our top four tips for perfect label application every single time.

Prepare Your Surface

You should already know exactly where you want your label to sit on your product. This should have been decided before your labels were designed and produced so that you can create the best labels for the desired position. A flat surface is always better for label application because it allows the adhesive to properly stick without bubbles, bumps or crevices. Before you get started with sticking your labels, you need to prepare the surface of your products. Make sure the area is completely clean and free from dirt or grime. For new products coming straight off the production line, this shouldn’t be an issue. Not only does the surface need to be clean, but it should be completely free of moisture.

Ensure Your Labels Are Room Temperature

Many people are not aware that the temperature of labels plays a big part in how well they stick. The majority of labels and labelling machines are designed to work best at room temperature, and if they are too hot or too cold, it can cause problems with the adhesive. If you store your labels in a cold place, make sure they reach room temperature before trying to apply them or use them in your labelling machinery. If you are working with high or low temperatures regularly, then consider specialised labels.

Position Your Label Carefully

This tip is only really relevant if you are applying labels by hand or with a handheld label dispenser. Labelling machines will take care of the label position for you, so there is nothing to worry about. If you are applying labels by hand, then be sure to properly align them before sticking down. On surfaces that are not flat, this can be tricky to achieve and can take some practice to get right.

Give Labels Time To Cure

The adhesive on some labels is not instant and needs time to set properly. This can be useful if you position your label incorrectly the first time, as you may be able to adjust it before it has cured. Label adhesive should be left for 72 hours after application to make sure that the label has bonded to the surface properly. Moving your products too soon after labelling could result in labels becoming unstuck, skewed or damaged.

If you are looking for a labelling machine for your products, or want to find out more about how to use labelling machinery successfully, contact our team of specialists.