Ever wondered what goes into creating labels and what key things you need to start printing? Whether you are going for a simple design or an elaborate artwork, there are a few important steps that you will need to consider. Today we have decided to break down the process of making labels so that you can get a better understanding of what it takes to get an amazing finished product. It’s essential to remember that labels are made of a few different layers, so we will go through each of them in more detail. Then, we will take a closer look at each step from getting everything ready to finishing your product.
Label Liner
Firstly, you will need to have a label liner, which will help you keep the labels together. Also, it will ensure that the sheet is rigid enough to go through a printer. It’s crucial to choose the right type of label liner so that your labels can apply easily. Depending on your needs, you may want to opt for paper liners, which tend to provide good tensile strength. They also have a silicon coating, which is there to prevent the adhesive from adhering to the paper below. In comparison, film liners are often used for high-speed packaging lines to achieve optimum clarity.
Adhesive
It’s also important to go for the right adhesive for your labels, as it will allow you to transform materials into labels. You will get to choose between labels with permanent adhesive and labels with removable adhesive. If you are unsure which option would be best, check out Sticky Labels, where you can get high-quality printed labels with fast delivery throughout the UK. Moreover, you can use their online label builder to customise your labels. Sticky Labels will also cater for all of your adhesive label requirements for both business and personal orders.
Face-Stock
Next, you will need to get the right material to print on, which is called face stock. Face stock is the main label material, which gives labels their texture, colour, and properties, such as being waterproof. There are two categories of face stock that you will need to know about, including paper and synthetic face stocks, so it’s important to understand the differences between them. Moreover, face stock can also have a coating, which alters its finish and protects the material from damage during storage. This is what makes it a core part of any label construction.
Message And Design
You should also think about the message and the type of design that you would like to have on your labels. Be sure to determine your exact requirements so that you can get the product that you are looking for. For example, you may want to consider the shape and size of your labels and the materials you want your labels printed on. Also, it can be a good idea to decide on some quantities on your complete label order and choose the right artwork, after which you will be sent a digital proof, which you will need to approve of before it can be printed.
Custom-Printed Labels
Custom labels are usually supplied on rolls, hand or machine-applied, depending on your needs. The best part is that with custom labels, you will receive the perfect product, whether you want to promote your business or create a stunning personal design. For example, you can get environmentally friendly stickers and labels to demonstrate your company’s commitment to the environment. You can also order waterproof labels or choose to have your product labels laminated for a more classy look. Moreover, custom-printed labels allow you to make changes and improvements so that you can ensure that your label is ready for the printers.
Getting Everything Ready
Once you send your artwork in, it’s important to get everything ready before you start printing. For example, there are different elements of your art file that you can review to ensure that everything will turn out as expected. You will need to check that the fonts are outlined and spot colours are correctly labelled. In addition, it’s advisable to confirm that images are embedded, as well as other key details are taken care of. If your label has a barcode, you may want to do a test print to check how well the barcode works.
Printing The Actual Product
Then, you can move on to printing the actual product, as long as you have the right label design and information. Typically printing is done on large industrial printers and sometimes labels might be printed directly on the face-stock. However, at other times they can be printed on another material and added to the face stock later on. There are a few key printing methods that you will need to know about, including flexography, inkjet, laser printing, and digital printing. You may want to see examples of each one to get a better understanding of what to expect.
Laminating
Laminating a label enables you to add thickness and durability so that you can achieve a beautiful gloss or matte finish as well. This way, your custom labels will have improved durability, even if you have to pay a bit extra. Moreover, laminating your labels will ensure that the colours will stand out and you can showcase your products in the best light. There are other great benefits, that you may want to learn about, such as resistance to exposure to harmful factors, enhanced label protection, and the ability to draw attention to your product.
Cutting
Custom labels also require cutting, which can be done in a few different ways. However, all of these methods will help you cut your label in whatever shape you prefer. For instance, laser cutting has no set-up costs, as it is completely digital. The only thing it uses is a vector shape to cut. On the other hand, die-cutting cuts the labels with a metal plate and waste-stripping involves getting rid of the outside non-printed areas. If you choose these options, you may incur a small overhead cost, but you won’t have to wait for long.
Applying A Varnish
A stunning new label is a perfect product that you would like to get, especially if you are trying to attract new customers or build a professional business image. Therefore, you should look for solutions to protect your investment and prevent damage from occurring. Thankfully, you can choose to apply a varnish, that will allow you to protect your label and enhance your design at the same time. Applying a varnish can help you protect your label against all types of things, such as scratches, water damage, fading, and other issues, that might affect the final product.
Finishing And Packaging
Lastly, the final stage will likely involve quality inspection, packaging and shipping your products. During the finishing part of label creation, it’s important to conduct a thorough visual inspection of labels to check if they match all the required specifications, including quality, measurements, colours, shape, and adhesive ability. Afterwards, the last step that you will need to take is to stick the label onto the product, which might not be as easy as it looks. Typically, special machines called label applicators are used, as they can label hundreds of products with impressive speed and accuracy.
If you’re interested in exploring more about how labels are made, Gelato offers a range of customizable label options that are perfect for any business. From product labels to shipping labels, Gelato’s print-on-demand service provides high-quality printing solutions that will help your business stand out.
