Computer Labels ? Is there a future?

Despite the prevalence of A4 laser and inkjet printers in the marketplace, sprocket driven computer labels still offer distinct advantages in many applications. The printer technology is robust and less susceptible to problems caused by labels misfeeding. In addition, computer labels are not subject to the intense heat of the laser print process and this means the adhesive layer on the label can be heavier than on laser labels. Although the adhesives used in both laser labels and computer labels are similar, the heavier coverage gives computer labels the advantage of an inherently better ability to stick - normally a pretty important factor when choosing a label.

Computer labels can generally be printed one label or one row at a time, whereas laser labels need to be printed by the sheet which can be wasteful.

Although sometimes noisy, the impact print process, commonly used to print computer labels, allows the use of multilayer label material, where an image impressed on the surface layer can be repeated on a second or third layer by using NCR label materials. This facility is not available for laser labels or thermal labels.

Computer labels normally come fan folded in boxes of 500 or 1000 sheets. Unlike laser labels, which have the waste material left surrounding the label, computer labels are waste stripped so the backing is clearly visible. Computer labels are available in a range of sizes, colours, materials (including weatherproof plastics) and with a broad catalogue of adhesives including removable, deep freeze and opaque adhesive to completely cover any print under the label.

Despite many attributes, the print process used with computer labels can give a less distinct image than other label technologies, such as laser labels or thermal labels. This means that for uses such as bar coding, computer labels may not be the ideal choice.


For further advice on the use of computer labels, please contact us at www.stonelabels.co.uk

Laser Labels ? Labels For Everyone

Over recent years, printer technology has advanced to bring the low-cost laser printer into virtually every office. To meet the increasing demand for addressing and identification, laser labels have been developed specifically to suit the unique requirements this print process demands. Far from being the nightmare print material they once were, laser labels now provide a convenient and reliable method of marking, especially when clarity of print is required, such as for bar coded labels.

In Europe, laser labels are generally supplied A4 sheets. Laser labels are now available in a range of sizes, colours, materials (including weatherproof and clear plastics) and with a broad catalogue of adhesives including removable, deep freeze and opaque adhesive to completely cover any print under the label. Laser labels come in boxes of 100 or 500 sheets.

Special cutters allow the creation of laser label sets, where a range of different labels are laid out on a single sheet to allow information to be collated at a single point, then used to identify a number of operations.

By producing a sheet with a single laser label section cut through face material, the remaining potion of the sheet can be used as a despatch advice or invoice and the single laser label section used as a return address label.

To prevent problems when using laser labels it is always advisable to fan the sheets prior to printing, ensuring they don`t stick together and jam. Most printer manufacturers recommend laser labels are fed through the manual feed tray - the label material is thicker than normal paper and requires a slower passage past the fuser unit to heat it to operating temperature and ensure good toner adhesion. Although the thought of throwing away a part used sheet of laser labels seems a waste, feeding laser label sheets through the printer twice can be a false economy. Once labels are removed, the structure of the sheet is weakened and the possibility of a jam increases. It`s better to use spare labels for hand writing later.

When taking laser labels from the backing sheet, always turn the sheet face down and pull the backing away from the label. This makes sure that any curl is in the backing paper which is thrown away and not the label which will remain flat.

Thermal Labels ? Reap The Benefits Of Dedicated Print Technology

As the name implies, thermal labels use heat to create an image on a label.

Thermal labels have a significant benefit over other label formats in that they have a range of printers designed specifically with label printing in mind. Laser labels and tractor fed computer labels came about as add-on`s for the existing laser & tractor fed printers, used for printing everything from orders to invoices. The thermal label printer is used for virtually nothing else. Thermal label printers are robust, simple to use and the real workhorses of the labelling market. Unfortunately, this limited use, also means they are less common and therefore relatively expensive to buy.

Computer labels are printed on the now uncommon matrix printers. Although the print technology is robust and computer labels can be churned out all day every day without feed problems the printers are often noisy and relatively slow and the printed image is often poor in comparison to the crisp clean print of thermal labels. Laser Labels on the other hand are every bit as clear as thermal labels but the technology used in the printer is more complex and continuous laser label production tends to lead to feed jams as small amounts of the adhesive bleeds onto the rollers and accumulates.

There are 2 sorts of thermal printer and the difference is significant. The direct thermal printer uses heat to release coloured pigment in the label face paper. The resultant image is initially clear but will fade with time or exposure to sunlight. The other variety is the thermal transfer label ? so called because the image is transferred from a pigment coated thermal ribbon onto the label material as it passes over a heated print head. Both are thermal labels but with direct thermal label printing, the label stock tends to be more expensive as it had to undergo a chemical treatment in its production. Thermal transfer labels on the other hand, require the additional expense of thermal ribbons to produce the image. All in all, there is little difference in the overall cost of labels produced by the two technologies but when ordering the label stock, it`s critical to specify the print process to be used to avoid costly mistakes.

Without question ? when choosing print technology for volume labelling Thermal Labels are a main contender.

For further advice on the use of thermal labels, please contact us at www.stonelabels.co.uk