FEATURE BARCODING, LABELLING & PACKAGING
WHY THE RIGHT LABEL MATTERS A
Durable labels can enhance safety, productivity and prevent problems caused by using standard paper products that are not designed for industrial applications, says Avery Labels
lthough standard ‘office’ labels are more than sufficient for routine
applications including filing, addressing envelopes and shipping boxes they are not designed to withstand the range of conditions and hazards found in harsh industrial settings such as warehouses or production lines. Despite the availability of more durable offerings many continue to use office-grade ‘paper’ labels for everything from warehouse racks and equipment to identifying chemical containers. This is often due to familiarity with such products and perhaps an incomplete understanding of the significant differences in substrates, adhesives and other technologies used to design labels for specific applications. Fortunately, film labels are available that
withstand harsh industrial environments. Some are even tested and certified to meet existing safety and regulatory requirements. These self-adhesive labels can be utilised for everything from barcoded asset tags on machinery to location IDs on parts bins and affixed to many surfaces including metal, wood (pallets), glass, plastic and ceramic.
PAPER LABELS IN INDUSTRIAL SETTINGS There can be serious consequences to using standard paper labels in an industrial setting. For example, exposure to moisture, abrasion, chemicals, heat and even sunlight can lead to torn, smeared, discolored, unreadable labels or labels that fall off. This can compromise safety, reduce productivity and may lead to regulatory fines or legal consequences. For example, a missing or illegible label
could not only result in an OSHA fine but serious injury and litigation if someone were to spill or even consume a bottle of a harsh chemical. Similarly, equipment damage, unusable product and downtime could result if the wrong solvent or lubricant is used in production. Even slightly damaged labels can be
surprisingly costly such as when inventory barcode scanning errors lead to misplaced equipment and inventory Besides the cost of the label estimates peg the labor costs to reprint the label at $10-$20 with up to $100 more to identify and fix any issues related to incorrect scanning. Although standard paper labels and
industrial film labels appear similar at a glance, a tremendous amount of R&D and testing goes into creating each product so
2 MARCH 2017 | FACTORY EQUIPMENT 4
that it works for its intended application so it is much more cost effective to use the right label from the start. “There are significant differences
between office and industrial film labels including the materials and adhesives used,” says group product manager Tina Huff. “For the best results they should work with a trusted supplier that tests labels for their intended uses and provides specifications for resistance to water, chemicals, abrasion, UV and service temperatures on request.” Most self-adhesive labels are
constructed of four key layers: topcoat, substrate, adhesive and liner. “The material characteristics of each of
these layers determine how well typical paper, durable industrial or any label, performs in its workspace,” says Huff. Since standard paper office labels are
intended for an indoor environment the topcoat is not waterproof and the paper substrate tears easily and is not moisture or chemical resistant. In contrast, film labels can have a protective topcoat that is waterproof, even extremely chemical resistant in some instances. The substrate is a durable, scuff and tear-resistant film that can be made from materials like polyester and vinyl. The adhesive is high performance permanent that is waterproof and chemical resistant. While the topcoat, substrate and adhesive can vary, each adds a level of strength to the entire ‘sandwich’ construction. To ensure products will perform properly
in the field companies such as Avery scientifically test and evaluate how the labels stand up to potential situations found in industrial environments. These tests run the gamut and can include exposing labels to a variety of common industrial chemicals such as isopropanol
Exposure to moisture, abrasion, chemicals, heat and sunlight can lead to torn, smeared, discolored, unreadable labels or labels that fall off
and hydrochloric acid as well as with cleaners, fuels, oils, lubricants and salt water. In addition to increasing the durability of the label topcoat and substrate, additional innovations in design and construction can improve performance further. Avery offers labels with TrueBlock technology which ensures that if a new label is placed over another that has printed information, it does not bleed through which could confuse, cause incorrect bar code scans or simply make it difficult to read. Self-laminating labels addresses a
common workaround when using office- grade labels: covering them with clear tape in an attempt to increase longevity. By offering true lamination that can be easily applied by the user, these labels provide extra protection against abrasion, dirt, moisture, chemicals and UV.
DURABILITY AND READABILITY For Natalie Davis, a product design drafter and safety coordinator at Solberg Manufacturing, utilising paper labels covered with tape clearly was not working. “Our previous labels on our acetone and
alcohol dispensers in the production area kept rubbing off and had to be replaced,” explains Davis. “We tried putting see- through tape over the labels for protection but the incompatibility of the tape with the harsh chemicals caused it to crinkle and the label was impossible to read.” When Davis switched to Avery self-
laminating labels she found it resolved issues of label readability and longevity. “I put the durable labels with clear self-
lamination on all our dispensers and after weeks of use and handling, it hasn’t really affected the labels,” says Davis. “The label information is easy to read and the clear lamination is easy to clean if it gets dirty. This has improved safety and saves the time and expense of having to print new labels and switch them every week.” Armed with a better understanding of
industrial labels, safety and facility managers can avoid the pitfalls of using office-grade paper labels in harsh settings. By doing so companies not only eliminate the time and energy required for frequent replacement but can avoid potential confusion and the additional hidden costs when labels fail.
Avery Labels
www.avery.com/industrial
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