John Tucker06.30.16
The label is an advertisement placed directly onto the product. This calls for optimum printing results and precision work at the highest level – even during high-speed labeling processes. This makes tough demands on all components involved, including having the crucial properties of the perfect label paper.
The label is possibly the most important form of advertising in existence. This is because many consumers do not make their decision to buy until they have arrived at the point of sale. Consumers base their decision to a large extent on a label’s appearance. In addition to design issues, perfect appearance also depends on excellent printing and accurate labelling results. So the optimum label paper has to fulfil all the requirements of both processes.
Eye-catching printing results
There are various types of label papers that can be selected to represent a product authentically and to its best advantage. The range includes both non-coated and natural papers, simple coated papers and high-gloss varieties. Cast-coated papers such as Chromolux by Zanders have an extremely smooth high-gloss surface, giving this fine paper its unique and unmistakable character. As a result, it is primarily used for premium drinks, but equally suitable for daily food items. The paper selected ultimately depends not only on the product but also on the printing method.
Every method has its own rules, which must be taken into account when selecting the paper and printing the labels. After all, many labels are still printed using the offset method.
Gravure is only used to produce large print runs such as beer labels. Digital printing is increasing in popularity, as it is suitable for shorter runs, special promotions and personalization – and needs labels optimized for this process.
Cast-coated qualities for offset printing
The quality of the printed result depends largely on how the ink dries on the paper. In the case of sheet-fed offset printing, drying takes place in two phases:
The printing ink can penetrate relatively quickly and dry rapidly by means of oxidation. Besides, the slightly longer penetration time of Chromolux only has advantages for the end result. These become apparent in the enhanced gloss of the printing inks, the improved abrasion resistance and slightly lower ink consumption. Additionally, compared to machine-coated papers, Chromolux has a considerably higher volume and greater rigidity which has a positive effect on the printing process. All these advantages of Chromolux apply not only to offset but to gravure printing as well.
Reliable bottling process
Bottling drinks is one of the final stages in the value-added chain for food production. The filling systems used here are highly complex, and interlinked production lines must achieve maximum performance. Interruption of the production process will cause delay, resulting in significant financial loss – especially when it comes to luxury and premium. All parameters must be perfectly aligned to ensure problem-free operation at maximum capacity. Again, particular importance is attached to the label paper at this stage: How does it respond on the machine and how efficiently can it be applied to the bottle?
High-speed labeling process
Bottle labeling, as part of the industrial bottling process, is a high-tech affair. The labels are first placed in a magazine, from where they are picked up at high speed by grippers. Glue is applied to them at the same time, and the label is then attached to the bottle. No other element of the labelling chain is as important as the paper. Anyone thinking of making savings on it is making a false economy. The technological properties of the paper must be optimally balanced to satisfy the strict demands required by a high-performance process.
The most important properties for fault-free labeling are flatness, low curl, a rough and optimized back, and optimised expansion and contraction response. For example, Chromolux labels are known for having high tensile strength, even in wet conditions. Thanks to the rough reverse side they can be precisely positioned on containers and subsequent shifting of the label is prevented. And the excellent fibre formation of the base paper ensures that labels do not crease or blister.
Perfect adhesion and exact positioning
When it comes to label adhesion, different paper properties are crucial. If labels have a rough reverse side, less glue is required for the labeling process. This is because only the "mountains" of the rough surface have to be moistened with glue. Less glue means less water. The less water is used for labelling, the better the adhesion. Naturally, this not only has a positive effect on production, but also a positive financial effect. In addition, the absorbability of the paper is important for perfect adhesion, which also depends predominantly on the properties of the reverse side. High absorbability prevents the labels from floundering during adhesion, so that they can be fixed on the containers faster and more efficiently, and be positioned exactly.
High wet strength and low curl
Since vigorous jostling dominates filling lines, labels have to be able to withstand these conditions. When bottles come together on conveyor belts, labels can be exposed to conditions of tremendous pressure and friction. Nevertheless, the wet surfaces of the labels must not be damaged. Here, cast-coated label papers like Chromolux provide excellent wet strength. For optimum labelling results, it is important that the natural curl of the labelling paper does not impede functionality after gluing. If paper becomes damp, it tends to curl up, and labels with excessive curl can no longer be positioned accurately on the bottle.
The curl of a labeling paper is determined by the direction of the paper fibres. This depends on the direction in which the paper mass passes through the paper machine. During production, the fibres are aligned parallel to the paper path. A curl forms transverse to the direction of the fibres. This must be taken into account during printing and when cutting the labels. Therefore, with all labels, the direction of the paper fibers must run horizontally in relation to the standing bottle.
The label is possibly the most important form of advertising in existence. This is because many consumers do not make their decision to buy until they have arrived at the point of sale. Consumers base their decision to a large extent on a label’s appearance. In addition to design issues, perfect appearance also depends on excellent printing and accurate labelling results. So the optimum label paper has to fulfil all the requirements of both processes.
Eye-catching printing results
There are various types of label papers that can be selected to represent a product authentically and to its best advantage. The range includes both non-coated and natural papers, simple coated papers and high-gloss varieties. Cast-coated papers such as Chromolux by Zanders have an extremely smooth high-gloss surface, giving this fine paper its unique and unmistakable character. As a result, it is primarily used for premium drinks, but equally suitable for daily food items. The paper selected ultimately depends not only on the product but also on the printing method.
Every method has its own rules, which must be taken into account when selecting the paper and printing the labels. After all, many labels are still printed using the offset method.
Gravure is only used to produce large print runs such as beer labels. Digital printing is increasing in popularity, as it is suitable for shorter runs, special promotions and personalization – and needs labels optimized for this process.
Cast-coated qualities for offset printing
The quality of the printed result depends largely on how the ink dries on the paper. In the case of sheet-fed offset printing, drying takes place in two phases:
- 1. By means of physical penetration and
- 2. By means of subsequent chemical oxidation.
The printing ink can penetrate relatively quickly and dry rapidly by means of oxidation. Besides, the slightly longer penetration time of Chromolux only has advantages for the end result. These become apparent in the enhanced gloss of the printing inks, the improved abrasion resistance and slightly lower ink consumption. Additionally, compared to machine-coated papers, Chromolux has a considerably higher volume and greater rigidity which has a positive effect on the printing process. All these advantages of Chromolux apply not only to offset but to gravure printing as well.
Reliable bottling process
Bottling drinks is one of the final stages in the value-added chain for food production. The filling systems used here are highly complex, and interlinked production lines must achieve maximum performance. Interruption of the production process will cause delay, resulting in significant financial loss – especially when it comes to luxury and premium. All parameters must be perfectly aligned to ensure problem-free operation at maximum capacity. Again, particular importance is attached to the label paper at this stage: How does it respond on the machine and how efficiently can it be applied to the bottle?
High-speed labeling process
Bottle labeling, as part of the industrial bottling process, is a high-tech affair. The labels are first placed in a magazine, from where they are picked up at high speed by grippers. Glue is applied to them at the same time, and the label is then attached to the bottle. No other element of the labelling chain is as important as the paper. Anyone thinking of making savings on it is making a false economy. The technological properties of the paper must be optimally balanced to satisfy the strict demands required by a high-performance process.
The most important properties for fault-free labeling are flatness, low curl, a rough and optimized back, and optimised expansion and contraction response. For example, Chromolux labels are known for having high tensile strength, even in wet conditions. Thanks to the rough reverse side they can be precisely positioned on containers and subsequent shifting of the label is prevented. And the excellent fibre formation of the base paper ensures that labels do not crease or blister.
Perfect adhesion and exact positioning
When it comes to label adhesion, different paper properties are crucial. If labels have a rough reverse side, less glue is required for the labeling process. This is because only the "mountains" of the rough surface have to be moistened with glue. Less glue means less water. The less water is used for labelling, the better the adhesion. Naturally, this not only has a positive effect on production, but also a positive financial effect. In addition, the absorbability of the paper is important for perfect adhesion, which also depends predominantly on the properties of the reverse side. High absorbability prevents the labels from floundering during adhesion, so that they can be fixed on the containers faster and more efficiently, and be positioned exactly.
High wet strength and low curl
Since vigorous jostling dominates filling lines, labels have to be able to withstand these conditions. When bottles come together on conveyor belts, labels can be exposed to conditions of tremendous pressure and friction. Nevertheless, the wet surfaces of the labels must not be damaged. Here, cast-coated label papers like Chromolux provide excellent wet strength. For optimum labelling results, it is important that the natural curl of the labelling paper does not impede functionality after gluing. If paper becomes damp, it tends to curl up, and labels with excessive curl can no longer be positioned accurately on the bottle.
The curl of a labeling paper is determined by the direction of the paper fibres. This depends on the direction in which the paper mass passes through the paper machine. During production, the fibres are aligned parallel to the paper path. A curl forms transverse to the direction of the fibres. This must be taken into account during printing and when cutting the labels. Therefore, with all labels, the direction of the paper fibers must run horizontally in relation to the standing bottle.