Industrial Labels FAQs

Posted on October 19, 2021 by Label Solutions

Label Solutions produces commercial labels for a wide range of companies, including industrial labels for manufacturers and products that must stand up to harsh conditions.

Today, our experts answer several frequently asked questions about industrial labels.

What is an industrial label?

Companies use industrial labels to comply with safety regulations, track assets throughout the supply chain, and identify products. Industrial labels are made to withstand harsh conditions, extreme weather, and long-term storage.

What industries use labels?

A wide range of companies utilize industrial labels, such as:

Manufacturers
Petroleum producers and sellers
Utilities
Healthcare providers
Transportation and logistics firms
Automotive manufacturers and suppliers
Original equipment manufacturers (OEM)
Construction firms
Consumer durable goods companies
Hardware manufacturers

Why do companies need industrial labels?

They serve several purposes, including:

Warning people of possible dangers
Listing the contents of a package or room
Identifying parts, equipment and assets
Withstanding logistics, shipping, and handling
Resisting heat, moisture, and extreme temperatures
Branding and marking of packages
Performing quality control
Assessing inventory
Facilitating returns or recalls
Organizing shipments and parts
Packaging products

What are industrial labels made of?

Depending on your company’s needs, you might need labels made of:

Polyester
Plastic
Vinyl
Polyimide
BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene)

How do label producers create industrial labels?

A commercial label supplier creates them using a comprehensive process:

Initial consultation. Once you begin the conversation, your industrial label supplier will talk to you about your team’s requirements. We’ll discuss how many labels you need, what substrate they are going on, the dimensions, and what products you need them for. All of these factors go into a custom production run.

Label design. If needed, a commercial label supplier can work with you to design the most effective labels using cloud-based software such as ProofPRO to allow you to make tweaks and changes. Once your team approves the design, it’s time for production.

Label printing. The beauty of modern technology is that most industrial labels are printed digitally rather than through traditional methods of plates to transfer images. Blank labels typically go through the machine in a long roll. Along the way, our team makes sure each run conforms to your quality standards.

Finishing. Some labels get a finishing process, such as embossing, stamping, varnishing, or laminating.

Die-cutting. If you need labels cut a certain way, a commercial label supplier can die-cut the labels to prepare them for your label applicator. Or you might need them to stay in a roll for easy application, depending on your machine.

Why make industrial labels out of polyester?

Polyester labels protect against weather and water because of their high resistance to smearing, peeling, and tearing in harsh weather and storage conditions. This material also resists chemical reactions.

Why should I use vinyl for my industrial labels?

Vinyl is a flexible material that works well when you have curved surfaces and need strong adhesion. In harsh environments, you might need a laminate to go over it for protection from moisture and chemicals.

Why use plastic for industrial labels?

Plastic labels offer a cost-effective alternative to polyester and vinyl, so long as you select the right material and adhesive to bond with the right substrate for maximum usefulness. Plastic labels deliver outstanding results for resisting extreme temperatures, weather conditions, shipping, handling, and chemicals.

What is polyimide for industrial labels?

Polyimide is a high-performance plastic that resists heat. The electronics industry uses industrial labels made of this substance due to their stability and chemical-resistant properties as well as resistance to heat generated by electricity.

Why do I need BOPP for industrial labels?

BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene) provides strength against tearing because the production process stretches BOPP film in two directions. This allows for a transparent label that lets background colors show through. BOPP also resists water, oil, and chemicals better than paper does. So if your company needs labels that act like paper but resist things that paper can’t, BOPP is an option.

Can I mark or write on waterproof industrial labels?

Yes, you can write with permanent markers that don’t wear off easily. Waterproof industrial labels are made using laserjet technology rather than inkjets to prevent smudging.

What five things might appear on a warning label for industrial use?

There are five different types of notifications that appear on warning labels used in an industrial setting:

Danger, which indicates some interaction or action will result in serious injury or death.
Warning, which highlights that an action or interaction could result in serious injury or death.
Caution, indicating something could result in minor or moderate injuries if the warning isn’t adhered to.
Notice, or verbiage not used for hazards but only for informational purposes.
General safety, which outlines safety procedures, safe handling instructions, or operating instructions for equipment.

In some cases, various warnings on industrial labels must follow certain protocols and regulations in terms of color, verbiage, numbering, and more. One prime example includes OSHA’s communication standards for labels and pictograms for chemical or hazardous materials containers.

What industries face regulatory compliance standards for labels?

Some industries face regulatory compliance for labels due to possible warnings, health hazards, and environmental hazards associated with the products, including:

Consumer goods
Automotive
Industrial
Chemical
Electronics
Security
Agriculture
Healthcare
Pharmaceuticals
Nutraceuticals
Transportation
Petroleum

As such, industrial labels for these products must meet strict requirements before being affixed to packages and products.

How does the Global Harmonization System regulate industrial labels?

The GHS handles worldwide regulatory compliance for communicating hazard information as laid out by OSHA under HazCom 2012. These labels tell workers and handlers what to expect with certain hazards, and inform emergency crews responding to accidents during transport or at a facility.

The GHS utilizes pictograms versus words to warn anyone what hazards may happen if there is a spill, explosion, or leak of the hazardous substance. Industrial labels must meet GHS protocols when they denote containers that harbor hazardous substances.

Why should I hire a commercial label producer for industrial labels?

Industrial companies should hire a commercial label production company because they are a team of experienced professionals who can help you design and create compliant labels that meet government standards and your exact requirements. Label Solutions can help you with your industrial label needs. Contact us or call 1-800-299-9200 for more information on partnering with our team.

How to Store Adhesive Labels Properly

Posted on May 1, 2021 by Label Solutions

At Label Solutions, we’ve intentionally designed our process to make sure your adhesive labels are the highest-quality product and that they are exactly what you want for your product. However, even after your labels leave our facility, we want to make sure you get the most out of them and you’re happy with their performance.

Properly storing your labels has a huge impact on their overall efficacy and performance. To ensure that your customer is satisfied when they receive your product, here’s how you can extend the shelf life of your labels and protect your investment.

Storage Tips for Adhesive Labels

Avoid direct sunlight.

Continued exposure to UV rays will make your labels appear faded or discolored. To keep them looking fresh and new, shield them from direct sunlight by storing them in an opaque container. That way, they’ll look their best when you place them on your product.

Maintain proper temperatures.

Extreme temperatures can prevent your labels from properly adhering to your product. To make sure they bond perfectly with every application, store them in a location that is about 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Storing them in a location that is hotter or cooler than 72 degrees Fahrenheit will negatively affect the adhesive quality of your labels.

Avoid moisture.

Humidity can also harm the adhesive on your labels, which can result in a poor application process. Your labels should be stored in a room with 50% relative humidity for maximum adhering performance.

Prevent your adhesive labels from getting dusty.

If you use a label applicator machine to place your labels on your product, dust build-up can cause performance issues. You can prevent this by storing your labels inside a container or some other type of plastic bag. This type of storage solution will also keep your labels safe from moisture.

Avoid storing your labels flat (like paper).

Storing labels flat on their faces can make them slide on the liner. Instead, always store labels standing vertically (with the hole facing up) or hang them on a rack.

Want More Advice on Getting the Most Out of Your Adhesive Labels?

Our experts provide high-quality labels for a variety of industries and products. We guarantee a positive experience from start to finish and make sure our clients understand proper storage and application techniques to make the most of their labels. Contact Label Solutions today for more information.

Why Use Clean Peel Industrial Labels for Hazardous Chemicals?

Posted on November 11, 2020 by Label Solutions

Hazardous materials must meet specific labeling requirements for both storage and shipping. As such, you need the right kind of labels on your hazmat containers to ensure the label stands out, provides pertinent and easy-to-see information, and withstands all kinds of heavy-duty conditions. Today’s blog from Label Solutions explains why you should use our Clean Peel industrial labels for hazardous chemicals.

A Container’s Contents May Change

Containers for hazardous materials are reusable in many instances, such as those for petroleum, compressed gas, and waste materials. The contents of the containers may change over a lifetime of use. Clean Peel industrial labels don’t leave behind a sticky residue when you peel them off. Rather than put a new label on top of the old one, simply peel off the old one and replace it in seconds.

Mistaken Identity

What if you have an old label underneath a new one, but the new one wears off? The old label may have the wrong date, materials, or warning instructions on it. A case of mistaken identity for what hazardous material is inside the container creates a disaster waiting to happen. Clean Peel industrial labels prevent this problem from happening.

Sticky Residue Creates Build-Up

Peeling off traditional labels creates a sticky build-up. Once you peel off a sticker and leave the spot blank, over time a sticky mess of dirt, grease, dust, and grime will build up on the spot where the sticker was. Now you’ll have to clean that gunk off before you re-use the hazmat container. Clean Peel industrial labels by Label Solutions keep your containers cleaner over time. No special washing required.

Plus, if something builds up on the outside that’s flammable (like oil or gasoline), that creates a whole new set of problems for your hazardous waste handling.

Lot Codes

Reusable hazardous materials containers often come in lots. For example, one label says it’s “Canister 11 out of 35” in a particular shipment, and the lot code and barcode match that number. What if the lot codes change when you refill the containers? The materials may be the same as they were before, but the lot codes are different because you’re shipping these containers to a different customer. Clean Peel by Label Solutions makes it easy to change lot codes on your containers.

Empty Cylinders

Once a compressed gas cylinder is empty, it no longer contains the hazardous material. Easily remove the Clean Peel industrial label to show the container is inert. There should be no question whether your old CGC still has material in it.

Reduces Labor Costs

Clean Peel industrial labels come off in mere seconds. There’s no endless peeling or tiny bits of paper that take forever to get off. Nor do you need acetone to remove the sticky residue from your container. Simply peel the label off and put another one on in seconds. You save on labor costs over time.

Hypothetical Scenario

Let’s say you need to remove labels on 120 compressed gas cylinders containing medical oxygen. You’ve got high demand for these containers due to increased needs at hospitals all over the world.

If it takes 30 seconds to remove each industrial label and put a new one on, changing 120 labels will take one hour. If your employee earns $30 per hour, you will spend $30 to pay that employee for this task. Performing the task every week will cost roughly $1,500 per year.

Suppose other labels take 90 seconds to remove. For 120 labels, that’s $90 spent on labor for the task. Performing the task every week will cost roughly $4,500 per year — substantially more for labels that come off in 90 seconds versus 30 seconds.

How could that $3,000 benefit your company? Investing in a new machine? New computer software? Advertising and marketing? Profits?

Clean Peel Industrial Labels by Label Solutions

This is just a hypothetical situation. Your actual results may vary, but you see the point. Clean Peel industrial labels can save your company time, effort, money, and resources. Contact Label Solutions or call toll-free 1-800-299-9200 for more info on our Clean Peel industrial labels.

Label Solutions: Your Source for Industrial Labels

Posted on February 25, 2020 by Label Solutions

Industrial labels work well in a myriad of extreme settings. Think of quick-release adhesives, low-temperature performance, bar codes, tags-on-a-roll, and Applikits where you need multiple labels on the same equipment. Today’s blog from Label Solutions examines the selection of industrial labels we can help design for you.

Clean-Peel Labels

Our proprietary Clean-Peel industrial labels come off without leaving a residue behind. These labels work perfectly in the industrial gas and medical gas industries. Clean-Peel comes in handy for lot codes and keeps cylinders looking sharp due to the thin construction. This industrial labeling solution comes in handy when you fill a gas container with a different kind of gas after it’s empty.

All-Temperature Labels

All-temperature industrial labels securely hold up at room temperature and when exposed to cold. Label Solutions’ all-temperature products are fantastic for refrigerated foods such as meats and dairy. They’re also great for beverages, bakery items, and prepared foods.

BOPP

BOPP stands for biaxially oriented polypropylene. These labels are thin, have excellent moisture resistance, and come in white or clear. White BOPP is glossy and makes colored print pop. Clear BOPP produces the illusion that there isn’t a label, which is perfect for when you want the color and texture of your products to stand out.

Variable Data and Barcode

Label Solutions can produce a wide range of variable data and barcode labels. We can print barcode labels for sequential, inventory tracking, or lot tracking. We can also change what the label says without changing the design to save on your costs. All you do is provide the variable information to use in a CSV format, and our designers do the rest. Our team can take tiff or jpg images and print them in vibrant colors on industrial labels.

Tags-on-a-Roll

Sometimes, you need convenient and quick tagging on industrial labels. Our team can print massive amounts of tags-on-a-roll that work for indoor or outdoor applications. We have two sizes of tags for medical post valves and industrial cylinder caps. We can print them in any color, and we have perforations available.

Applikits

We can design complete Applikits that come in a single sheet. Multiple die-cut labels on a single sheet are ideal for multiple labels on the same machinery or package. Think warning labels, branding, instructions, and phone numbers to call in case of a breakdown.

Label Solutions & Industrial Labels

Label Solutions prints custom industrial labels for whatever application you need. We collaborate with your team to produce the perfect label made to your exact specifications. Contact Label Solutions or call 1-800-299-9200 to request a free quote for industrial labels.