"Label: the identity card of your product!"

Types of Labels

In an automatic identification system the label is often underestimated, so the question which label to use? Often groping in the dark and what seemed like a trivial question becomes a problem. It is advisable to consider the choice of the label in good time and we can thus realize that it is undoubtedly one of the fundamental aspects of the system.

A careful choice allows to optimize costs, to avoid reading problems especially when printing the Bar Code on the label and to choose the most suitable product.

To focus, we list the points that determine the choice of a label:

• TNT (non-woven fabric / polyamide, satin, polyester)
• Thermal paper labels
• Thermal transfer paper labels
• PVC (polyvinyl chloride)
• PET (polyester)
• PP (polypropylene) - PE (polyethylene)

Composition labels | TNT (non-woven fabric)

Composition labels provide consumers with guidelines for garment care, as well as the best washing procedures to follow for particular fabric combinations, decorations and manufacturing techniques. Following the instructions on the labels is a guarantee that the appearance and fit of the garment will be maintained even after repeated washing treatments.

The label is an essential component for a garment as it contains:

• Information about the brand
• The size
• The specifications on the composition of the raw material of which the garment is made
• The indications of origin of the garment itself and of its washing.

Thermal paper labels

Thermal paper labels are printed without adding any ink support, such as toner, thermal transfer ribbons, inks; the thermal head goes directly into contact with the paper thus obtaining a practicality of use at the expense of greater consumption of the thermal head.

Printing in thermal paper means ease of use, easy change of the roll in the printer and last but not least, you don't have to stock up on accessories for inking.

Thermal transfer paper labels

Thermal transfer paper labels need, to be printed, a "ribbon" for transferring the wax (or resin) onto the label paper.

The "ribbon" (usually black in color) passes between the thermal printer head and the label. The head by heating transfers the wax (or resin) on the label making the print resistant over time.

Thermal transfer printing allows the printing of labels that will have a long life, special characteristics. In fact, with thermal transfer it is possible to print special materials such as PVC, POLYESTER, TNT, TRANSPARENT ACETATE.

In fact, many users use very poor quality paper for printing thermal transfer labels, taking advantage of the fact that the ribbon still sticks to the label, the only problem is that the print resolution is poor, which is not acceptable. if you need to print barcodes.

PVC (polyvinyl chloride)

Vinyl products are particularly suitable for outdoor applications that require resistance to atmospheric agents and UV rays for very long periods (even up to 10 years).

Cast PVC offers very high "conformability", ie excellent adaptation to the most difficult surfaces, even 90 degree angles.

PVC does not offer good tear and cut resistance and its heat resistance is limited (approx. 80 ° -100 °).

There is a so called "destructible" vinyl which, once applied, cannot be removed except by destroying the label.

From an environmental point of view, PVC is not ecological, it is considered stable and safe in technological applications at room temperature, but extremely dangerous if burned or heated to high temperatures and in plants unsuitable for its treatment due to the presence of chlorine in the molecule. , which can be released as HCl, as dioxin, or as vinyl chloride monomer, in the past, cadmium carboxylates were also used to soften it, abandoned in Europe due to the toxicity of this metal. Cadmium derivatives are still used outside the European Union.

Although widely used especially outside the European community, we do not recommend its use, the monomer of PVC, vinyl chloride, is considered a powerful carcinogen. In particular, a trial for manslaughter was held in Venice concerning the top management of Montedison in Porto Marghera, which met with widespread attention given the ascertained lack of precautions aimed at minimizing the absorption of PVC by the workers.

PET (polyester)

PET is the material suitable for all industrial applications where high resistance is required in general, one of the main characteristics of PET is excellent resistance to high temperatures, withstands temperatures between -40 ° and + 150 ° .

There are some pets that offer even higher performance.

In general the resistance is excellent:

• To atmospheric agents
• Tear and cut
• UV discoloration
• Acids
• Hydrocarbons
• Abrasion resistance

In order to obtain the above characteristics, it is necessary to use dedicated ribbons for the printing of the label for the required characteristic. For example, to have a high resistance to rubbing, a "scratch resistant" ribbon is required.

We are able to recommend the most suitable carbographic tape or Ribbon for the type of material used, and always at your disposal to advise you on the best solutions to get the best results.

Due to the characteristics of being more rigid than the other materials used, PET is ideal for small labels, and for this reason it is more resistant to tearing, discoloration caused by extreme temperatures, deteriorating factors such as acids, UV rays, etc., if prepared with thicknesses. greater rigidity limits its application on curved surfaces, however, bringing advantages on flat surfaces and in applications using automatic dispensers and applicators.

PET can be requested transparent, white or silver, on request it can be colored or pre-printed with logos or particular designs.

PP (polypropylene) | PE (polyethylene)

They are considered the best alternative to PVC when heat resistance is not required. They must always be printed with "scratch-resistant" ribbon and the heat resistance does not exceed 70 ° -80 °. They are not considered pollutants.

Our in-depth knowledge of the world of labels combined with our experience on printing technologies, have allowed us to create modern software that responds to sophisticated architectural needs with systems that are as simple as they are effective and versatile.

New Protech srl offers companies a wide range of labels for product identification, made in standard or oversized format.