Labels marked down

30 August 2006



Laser technique cuts the waste associated with print-and-apply labels on secondary packaging


Packaging and packaging waste legislation is putting pressure on the selfadhesive label industry to reduce the amount of paper and silicone waste it produces. An alternative to traditional print-and-apply labels that can potentially eradicate the associated waste is offered by DataLase. The Casemark is system for marking outer case secondary packaging.

According to Datalase, while thermal transfer and inkjet printers have traditionally been the preferred choice for production of variable print-and-apply data labels, “many significant downfalls have emerged that now have the potential to render these labelling technologies obsolete”.

The company argues: “First of all, these processes generate considerable waste, from laminate manufacturing and label printing through to label application on packaging. More specifically, a metre of selfadhesive labels produces a metre of silicone backing waste. It is estimated that Europe currently gets through around 280,000t of silicone paper every year.

“These technologies also involve the use of paints, inks, acids or solvents, which have a negative impact on the environment since they are associated with harmful toxic emissions. Moreover, these materials as well as other consumables such as ribbons and applicators used by labelling methods, are particularly expensive and require regular maintenance leading to a considerable increase in manufacturing costs,” states DataLase.

“These processes are also particularly time consuming. The labels need to be printed and then applied (often manually) to the packaging. They can also be peeled off the packaging at any stage during the production process. This necessitates continuous stop/starting on the production line, with associated cost implications.

“Since regulations require an ever increasing amount of readable information to appear on packaging, print-and-apply labels fall short due to the restricted printable area available,” the company states.

‘Virtual’ label

Combining low power laser energy with the patented DataLase process, the Casemark is claimed to deliver a consistently high resolution, verifiable 'virtual' label on-line and direct to the case. The laser reactive coating is applied onto the specific data marking area of the outer case whilst the packaging is being produced. The coating is applied using the conventional printing process of the case manufacturer. On the final production line, a low energy CO2 laser 'writes' the required variable data onto the mark area, causing a colour change reaction of the coating from white to black.

Most significant benefit claimed for this system is that it provides tangible results in the prevention of environmental pollution. There is no longer any label backing or ribbons to dispose of - and manufacturers no longer suffer the associated disposal cost burden. According to DataLase, Casemark is totally non toxic and does not generate any harmful toxic emissions.

It adds: “As well as preventing environmental pollution, label replacement offers many other important benefits. As the process does not use production line consumables, it has the potential to achieve substantial cost savings of approximately 30-50 per cent for a mid to high volume line and almost 100 per cent production uptime, whilst offering an investment payback time of less than a year.

“Costs are further decreased due to very little or no maintenance being required. This is because imaging occurs without contact with the substrate, so there is no physically induced thermal printhead wear.”

The Casemark process is said to create high resolution graphics, offering the potential for late pack customization of marketing information such as special offers and promotions. Brand and product changes can also be readily updated, eliminating the need for expensive reprints. Late pack customization also enables packaging user to customize short runs, reduce stock keeping units and decrease lead time for design changes.

Finally, says DataLase, all variable data is indelibly formed directly within the packaging material, so the information can be spread over a larger area without having to be confined to a small label. This enables manufacturers to include more text, bar codes and graphics on the packaging.



Contact

DataLase
Tel: +44 (0)151 423 9360





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