Choosing the Right Automatic Label for Your Products: ArroChem's Expert Guide

Automatic labeling can make chemical packaging faster, cleaner, and more consistent, but the label itself has to be designed for the equipment, container, adhesive requirements, and production environment. A label that works well by hand may not perform properly on an automatic labeling machine.

At ArroChem, we help customers think through the details that affect label performance, from material stiffness and adhesive selection to roll direction, bottle shape, and equipment compatibility. Choosing the right label up front can reduce downtime, rework, waste, and application issues during production.

Key Automatic Labeling Considerations

Below are important factors to consider when developing labels for automatic labeling applications.

1. Surface Material

The surface material, also called the facestock, plays an important role in how well the label feeds, separates, and applies during automatic labeling.

• Label firmness is important for consistent machine application.
• The surface material should have the right balance of strength, hardness, and flexibility.
• The thickness of the label material should be appropriate for the labeling equipment.
• If the label is too flexible or too stiff, it may not dispense properly and can cause application failures.

2. Release Force

Release force, also known as stripping force, refers to how easily the label separates from the backing paper during the labeling process.

• Release force is affected by the adhesive type, adhesive thickness, and backing paper surface.
• The backing paper is typically coated with silicone to help the label release properly.
• If the release force is too low, labels may separate too early during transmission.
• If the release force is too high, the label may not separate cleanly, which can tear the backing paper and create machine downtime.

3. Label Adhesive

The adhesive must be matched to the container, product environment, and labeling process. Several adhesive characteristics affect performance:

• Initial tack: The immediate holding power of the label adhesive when it first contacts the container. Low initial tack may allow repositioning, while high initial tack creates a faster bond.
• Ultimate adhesion: The maximum bond strength the adhesive reaches after fully bonding to the surface. This can vary based on adhesive stiffness, surface texture, and environmental conditions.
• Shear resistance: The adhesive’s ability to resist splitting or sliding under stress. Softer adhesives may flow well into surfaces but can split more easily, while firmer adhesives may offer stronger resistance under stress.
• UV resistance: Important when labels may be exposed to ultraviolet light during storage, use, or printing processes.
• Solvent resistance: The adhesive’s ability to withstand exposure to water, alcohol, petrochemical solvents, plasticizers, and other materials without losing adhesion.
• Mandrel hold: How well the label stays adhered to curved or tight-radius surfaces. Strong mandrel hold helps reduce edge lifting, also known as flagging.

4. Backing Paper

The backing paper, or liner, must be strong and consistent enough to move through the labeling machine without tearing or misfeeding.

• The backing paper should be uniformly coated with silicone for consistent release force.
• Uniform thickness and tensile strength help prevent breakage during labeling.
• Good light transmittance can help electric sensors correctly identify the label position for indexing.
• The label gap between rolled labels should typically be 3/8 inch to 1/2 inch to allow the sensor to detect each label properly.

5. Processing Quality

Label converting and die-cutting quality can directly affect machine performance.

• Both sides of the backing paper should be flat and free from cracks after die-cutting.
• Die-cutting depth is critical. If the cut is too deep, the backing paper may tear during application.
• Poor converting quality can lead to web breaks, label misfeeds, downtime, and waste.

6. Label Roll and Copy Direction

Roll direction is one of the most important details for automatic labeling. Each labeling machine requires a specific unwind or wind direction.

• Confirm the required roll direction with your filling or labeling supplier before ordering labels.
• There are multiple roll or wind directions to consider, commonly referenced as A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H.
• Incorrect roll direction can prevent the label from feeding or applying correctly.

7. Label Vendor Communication

An experienced label supplier should understand the requirements for automatic labeling. Clear communication with the label vendor helps prevent avoidable production issues.

• Tell the vendor that the label will be used on an automatic labeling machine.
• Provide the container type, bottle shape, label dimensions, adhesive needs, and roll direction requirements.
• Confirm material, adhesive, backing paper, roll size, and copy direction before production.

8. Label Sizing to the Container

The label must be sized for the container shape, material, and available label panel.

• Consider the substrate, such as EPDM, PET, metal, or other container materials.
• Account for the bottle profile, including round, F-style, oval, tapered, or square containers.
• Measure the label area height, width, and circumference carefully.
• A 1/4 inch tolerance from the top and bottom of the label surface area is generally preferred.
• For wraparound labels, a 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch label gap can help support proper appearance and alignment.
• Rounded label corners, preferably 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch, are often recommended because square corners may lift more easily or create a less polished appearance.

9. Bottle Sizing to Equipment and Conveyors

The container must work with the labeling equipment and conveyor system.

• Confirm that the equipment can accommodate the bottle height and width.
• Thin bottle walls can create labeling issues, including wrinkles, rework, and waste.
• Container stability, shape, and surface consistency should be evaluated before production.

10. Environment

Temperature and humidity can affect label handling, adhesive performance, and machine application.

• High humidity can interfere with the automatic labeling process.
• Drastic temperature changes can affect label performance and adhesive behavior.
• Rolled labels should be stored in a consistent temperature environment.
• Labels should be kept clean, dry, and protected from conditions that may affect adhesive performance.

ArroChem Automatic Labeling Specifications

Additional Label Recommendations

• Automatic labeling typically requires labels with repositionable adhesive and strong mandrel hold to reduce the likelihood of flagging.
• Paper-faced labels are not recommended.
• Confirm label material, adhesive, liner, roll direction, and sizing before production to reduce downtime and waste.

Need Help Choosing the Right Label?

ArroChem can help customers develop labels that fit their package design, container type, and automatic labeling requirements. Proper planning can make the labeling process smoother, cleaner, and more reliable.

Give us a call today at (704) 827-0216 to discuss your labeling and packaging needs.