Adding a barcode to a tool that is loaned out by a hire shop has an asset label on it to provide identification for security and also to it can have other information en it as well. It can tell the hire company when it was taken out and also when returned the exact period of hire.

Using a standard paper asset label on this would not be much practical use as the asset label is likely to be damaged; paper is perhaps not the best substrate to use. Because of this asset label companies have introduced a range of asset labels which are not only easy to stick on but are also extremely durable and suitable for rough and tough applications.

What would be required here is something a lot more durable such as vinyl these labels are strong enough to withstand the rigours of factory life and being casually used on a building site or a DIY enthusiast. The labels also provide resistance against some types of chemicals and are suitable to be used in applications which have a varying degree of temperature tolerance.

The adhesive would also have to be a permanent type as well so that the asset label cannot be removed or tampered with by the user.

Posted in Barcode Labels by Philip

The barcode is a great invention and it has now appeared on just about every item that we buy or use and it is hard to imagine what life was like before the series of lines was added to a product label. However the barcode is of no use at all without a device that will read the information that is stored on the code, this is where the barcode reader or scanner as it is sometimes referred to is necessary.

So a few questions need to be answered before a scanner is bought and these are: Where will the scanner be used? Is it a rugged environment?  How often will it be used?  What kind of barcodes will you be reading?  How will the scanner be used?

One of the most important concerns when choosing a suitable scanner is the inside “techy” bit or engine as it is known. There are 3 main types of scan engines; Laser is the most well known scanner type, these are only able to read linear (1D) barcodes but are the most cost effective option. Linear are similar to lasers, again only reading 1D code but they do a better job of reading poorly printed codes. 2D area imagers are similar to linear imagers, with the advantage of reading any type of barcode.

With all the options available for barcode scanners today, it’s important to find the right device for your particular needs. Determining how you will use the scanner and what features you need will make choosing the right one easier.

Posted in Barcode Labels by Philip

Many foods require to be kept at a temperature that ensures that they remain fresh and in good condition. The dairy cabinet in the local supermarket has some of the goods that need temperature control, usually this will not cause the retailer any problem, no it is the cold chain or logistics of getting the food from the factory to the supermarket that can be a cause of concern.

There are a number of ways in which a consignment can be checked to ensure that the temperature is correct, infra red thermometers will do this, but they are not necessarily accurate, the beam could be hitting a cold or hot spot on the package. Specialist DataTrack has provided a simple solution through barcode technology.

The TTI or Time Temperature Indicator uses an innovative, patented smart barcode TTI label that allows users to continuously monitor and track their products along the entire cold chain. The data is collected using the barcode reader or smart phone and transmitted to a central monitoring server using WIFI or smart phone application.

The TTI system utilizes a real-time web-based monitoring system to track and monitor the label’s information.  This technology allows manufacturers, processers and receivers of temperature sensitive commodities track cumulative temperature abuse of a pallet or carton from origin to consumer. This technology is a great breakthrough and another triumph for the humble barcode, the smartphone or barcode reader and allow producers to monitor their goods so that customers receive them in the very best condition

Posted in General by Philip

It is appearing just about everywhere now and it would seen on most of the products that we buy and a few more besides, we are talking about the QR code.

The QR code is really just a type of barcode that has been modified and looks somewhat different, but basically it works in the same way. ; There is a slight difference in that although they encode data in both the vertical and horizontal planes. The Japanese first used them with great success to track and trace automotive parts but quickly came into wider use when it was realised by marketing departments that they could became a useful marketing tool as consumers could scan them using their mobile phones.  As a result they are now appearing on many other items of literature, magazines, websites and some have been spotted on TV commercials.

The QR code can be used to tell the reader a lot of information that would be hard to put on a label, they can use them to direct customers to their web sites or to visitor attractions in a holiday hot spot. Pretty well all new Smartphones have the ability to read the codes without any further downloading and this will include an iPhone, where you can choose from the multitude of QR reader apps on the App store, many of which are free. Anyone in doubt about the future should look at how we now have a world where it is difficult to buy an item in a store if the barcode is not present!

Posted in General by Philip

We are all familiar at seeing a barcode printed onto a product label, which is used at the point of sale or portable scanner to either identify the product, read the price, aid stocktaking and inventory tracking amongst a variety of uses. The product label is usually made from paper or it can a synthetic such as polyester this can be over laminated to avoid the barcode becoming damaged or distorted which would make it difficult for the scanner to read the information.

It is possible, and we often get requests, for a barcode to be made from a material which may be subject to very high temperatures and still be undamaged and readable, it is normal for us to suggest that these be manufactured from ceramic, this has a stainless steel base and can withstand high temperatures and is extremely durable, even in the harshest conditions.

To the surprise of many people, a barcode label can be made from aluminium which is an ideal material to use where a standard barcode label, which might be subjected to a harsh environment, could fade and render the code unreadable. Using aluminium for labels is ideal in an outdoor situation and they will not be affected by high or low temperature variations. These aluminium labels are perfect for use in industrial situations.

Posted in General by Philip

Asset labels are a vital tool of a business, they can be used for a variety of purposes, identifying goods for example, but they do have other important uses. Imagine the situation where a company has a number of items the same, this can of course make it difficult to accurately differentiate them. The asset label will help if one is stuck onto each of them, which will make them easily identifiable.

The asset label will also provide proof of ownership or provide the value for stock taking between departments allocating the asset to each section. The asset label can also be used as a toll for ensuring regular maintenance and important safety checks such as the legal requirement for electrical safety or PAT checking, when this is due for example.

Security is a vital issue in companies and the asset label will give peace of mind to the owner of the asset and these can take a number of forms. This can be a simple label which displays the word void when they are removed, or it can be manufactured form materials which will disintegrate and break into many pieces if an attempt is made to tamper with them.

There is a huge variety of material from which the asset label can be made, this will depend upon the location and environment where it is to be used or stored. Vinyl Asset Labels are our most economical labels, and they’re perfect for tagging equipment around the workplace. Just peel them off and stick them on. A polypropylene substrate is another; this is easy to stick to a wide range of surfaces. We can over laminate them to make them extra-durable too. Polyester asset labels are top of the range for the ultimate resistance against abrasion and chemicals. They’re over laminated with polyester film for heavy-duty protection and they’ll survive for up to 5 years.

Give us a call and we will be happy to talk you through our complete range of asset labels.

Posted in Asset Tags by Philip

Data label manufacturing has all the capabilities to produce designs and innovative custom labels for a wide variety of applications. Utilising the latest digital manufacturing technologies, Data Label will produce custom labels that satisfy the customer’s most demanding labelling requirements.

Whether you need pre-printed text, graphics, or logos, special sizes and configurations, special topcoats or spot coating, specialist adhesives, or unique constructions, Data Label can produce custom labels to meet the most demanding needs which will suit your particular requirement.

We can create a custom label with any printed information, including corporate logos and product brands, in full colour print and Pantone colour matching available printed using HP Indigo digital print technology with specialty topcoats and finishes. We can offer a full range of materials including papers and synthetics, formulated for thermal transfer, direct thermal, laser or inkjet printing.

Naturally we can offer a variety of standard sizes from our range of stock cutters, of which we have over 5,000 forms which you can choose; these include shapes which are square, circular and oval and we are sure that one of these will meet your requirement, if not we can for a small charge order an exact size

Posted in General by Philip

It can be quite daunting if you have to wade through the many rules and regulations placed on consumer products; this applies to just about every business most of which has their own requirements. Labelling rules vary according to the product and its components; for example cosmetics and body care products are labelled differently than food or a pharmaceutical product, which is pretty obvious of course. Naturally, products and clothing for children are labelled differently than those for adults. Manufactured items, such as home appliances or gardening products, may require warnings about gases, chemicals or dangerous components.

If your product is intended for use in this country only, it will not be too difficult to find all the information that is needed to comply with any warning or information that has to be seen on the label. If your product is to be marketed abroad, it then will be necessary to label the item in accordance with the regulations of the country concerned. For example the Canadian system, Australian system, United States system Japanese system or in Europe, each has its own requirements.

We will be pleased to discuss with you specific labelling requirements and we can usually advise where to find information concerning a particular country by various government or trade associations for a particular product or industry.

Posted in General by Philip

As a responsible food supplier or grower, you will, we are certain, be well aware of the requirements that are needed on a food or drink product label, but it is worth running through the main points.

To sell food and drink products, the label must be: clear and easy to read, it must be permanent and easy to understand, it should be clearly visible and not in any way misleading. If you pre-pack food there are a number of requirements and these include the name of the food, a ‘best before’ or ‘use by’ date, or if not on the label where it is to be found on the pack, the quantity and include any legal warnings and a list of ingredients of there are more than two.

The name and the address of the manufacturer or it could be the seller, and any conditions that are recommended regarding storing the product, for example refrigerated at a certain temperature; often cooking guidelines are included.

There are special requirements for drink products, particularly alcoholic drinks, for example if the alcoholic content is above 1.2% the label must give an indication of alcoholic strength by volume. This must be shown as a figure to not more than one decimal place, also it should have a warning concerning the government recommended guidelines for safe consumption of alcohol.

There are of course many more requirements, but this gives a guide to the main points, we will be pleased to advise you of anything specific if you are unsure about the requirements for food and drink labels.

Posted in General by Philip

It’s interesting to listen to a person when they are asked what the definition of a label is; the answers usually take the form of something that is stuck to a bottle. Well of course it very often is, but it is much more than that of course.

Strictly speaking a “product label” is a general term used to refer to printed information fixed to a product, this can be typically a retail product, but many others of course, which is communicated from the manufacturer to consumers or other users. Okay true but, the primary purpose of a product label is to identify type, size, brand, product line, manufacturer and other product-specific information including content and instructions for usage and storage, in other words customer information.

Food items require more information and often regulation, this has to refer to nutritional information basic nutritional information and a list of ingredients must appear on the packaging. Additional regulations exist for the product labels on medicines and pharmaceuticals.  Here and in other countries, information about active and inactive ingredients, concentrations of active ingredients warnings concerning the medication is a legal requirement for most products.

Laws governing the use of product labels in this country, and the information printed on them, are typically dependent on the type of product.  It is illegal to make false or unsubstantiated claims on a label intended to mislead a customer, these requirements can vary from country to country.

Posted in General by Philip