We are happy to supply labels for your particular requirement in whatever form is required for the product. However if you are want to print the labels yourself, again this will not cause any difficulties, but we will know the printer specification so we can make sure the labels we supply are compatible.

For example, is your printer a dedicated label printer with its own software such as Thermal Direct, Thermal Transfer, or digital, these are ideally suited to barcode labels supplied by us. If you are using a printer of the standard variety such as inkjet or laser, you possibly will need the labels on an A4 sheet.

But of course we have a fully professional printing service which you can take advantage of and we are always willing to see if we can help you in the artwork for the label or we can use artwork provided by yourselves. There may be areas where we might be able to help upgrade your existing system; our aim is always to offer full support and advice on the best system for you, just let us know how we can help.

Posted in Barcode Labels by Philip

This is a question that we like to ask when a buyer asks us for a quantity of labels, either printed or plain. This is an important question because it will determine the best material that is used and could also if this should receive a coating or not, and do you require it to be proof against any specific conditions such as weather.

Synthetic labels are water proof and weather proof as well, they can also be resistant to a wide range of chemical substances, so this could be important as well. A requirement for a label which will withstand heat, sunlight including ultra violet, water and weather proof and resistant to rough handling, chemical, and general degrading, we would probably recommend the use of polyester for the label. These labels are ideal for security purposes as it will show if an attempt to tamper with it has been made.

For less harsh environments, vinyl stickers will accommodate most requirements and these are normally used for labelling food items and are best printed digitally and may be varnished if required in a matt or gloss finish using either polyester film or UV varnish. This process will protect the print and through a range of environments and handling. So let us know what you will require the label to be used for and we will be happy to suggest the right material.

Posted in General by Philip

Attractive labels draw the customer’s attention to a product or to inform or advise about a hazard that may lie ahead, behind a door, or around a corner. Having a printed and attractive label is the first step and is often more certain to attract than say a simple black and white printed item. However, it does not just stop there, if the colours are poor or not in perfect register, they not only become harder to read, but are sure to give a poor impression of the product and company.

At DataLabel we have always believed that in investing in the best machinery and techniques, will give our labels the right image for the product, security label, asset label, barcode labels or advice tag. One investment that ensured that we remained at the forefront of printed label technology was in the HP Indigo digital printer that we use for printing our labels. This not only ensures that the cost is kept down by not having to use printing plates, but importantly the quality of the finished printed product is virtually indistinguishable from traditional litho printing. However speed is also ensured, because unlike traditional litho printing which takes time to set up, digital means print jobs can be setup quickly allowing very quick delivery times.

Posted in General by Philip

This clever invention has made the whole experience of shopping in the supermarket, paper shop, convenience store, accessory shop, a whole lot better than it was a few years ago, thanks to the barcode. You grab the items that you want and hey presto you are through the checkout in no time, no longer looking up prices and punching them into a cash register, not at all, a simple swipe across the barcode reader and the information is loaded electronically into the till.

However, the barcode does more than just put the price information into the cash register, which part of it only amounts to around 30% of its use. Barcodes work by making up a series of adjacent parallel black and white bars; the widths between these bars create a pattern. This is called a symbologies and it is made up from the pattern and spaces that represent characters of the alphabet or numbers which is a machine readable format. Barcodes can be used for a variety of purposes some of which are: Point of Sale, Inventory Control, Credit Card Processing, Accounts, Time and Attendance, are just some of these applications. Stock control is another important area. Is the barcode working for your business, if not we will be pleased to advise the code that will work for the application you have in mind.

Posted in Barcode Labels by Philip

There may be some important questions that need to be addressed before labels are ordered. We would need to know if you are going to print your own labels, for example we would need to know the specification of your printer; this is to ensure that the labels we supply to you are entirely compatible with your printer.

If you are including a barcode, does your printer have dedicated software for thermal direct which has no ribbon, thermal transfer, digital, these styles of printer are recommended for barcoding on labels? Is yours a standard inkjet or laser printer, these are types which require labels on A4 sheets? Naturally DataLabel can offer a full service and will provide you with full printing systems with software; you may be upgrading your system or are completely new to printing your own labels.

What durability will your labels need to have, are they likely to be in contact with grease or dirt or will they need to be proof against water or weather, in which case standard paper labels may not be suitable. We offer a variety of synthetic materials for labels which include: polyester, polypropylene and vinyl. For extra protection you can consider having your label varnished or laminated. We are happy to offer our expertise on labels, printers, scanners, PDA’s or software, please contact us and we will ensure that your queries are professionally dealt with.

Posted in General by Philip

Increasingly at DataLabel we are being asked to incorporate QR coding to labels, this is in order for manufacturers this is in order to link with their own main websites, or to give the customer promotional information. To explain a QR code, which is short for “quick response” is a specific two-dimensional barcode, which is readable by dedicated QR barcode readers and camera phones.

The QR code is increasing in use as more people are using Smartphones which are equipped with a reader application can scan the image of the QR code to display text, contact information, connect to a wireless network, or open a web page in the phone’s browser. Increasingly retailers are employing this new technology which allows customers to scan the code often this is done when at home.

If you think that adding a QWR code to your barcode labels, we specialise in high quality readable QR codes and offer both short and long runs. We have fully flexible printing options for your QR Coded labels, using the latest printing processes and we will be pleased to discuss your special requirement.

Posted in Barcode Labels by Philip

Not everyone has the ability to read a technical circuit drawing and although of course specialised technicians can do this, manufacturers of equipment that require numerous cable connection pre-empt the difficulties by attaching a cable and wire identification labels to the various wires. This can mean that even the non technical person is able to connect the equipment without either endangering themselves, others, or damaging the expensive equipment.

The label can be one of a number of styles but one of the common ones is to have a coloured or white portion which has the necessary information printed onto it and a tail piece which essentially attaches to the cable itself. The label is attached to the cable at 90 degrees to the cable so that the plain portion adheres around the cable, the section holding the information is clearly visible. This ensures a permanent seal and allows its use in an outdoor or an indoor environment, without being damaged by water of scuffs.

We have the capability to meet your cable identification needs and these can be manufactured from a wide range of specialist materials to meet your exact specifications as either pre-printed or plain labels, allowing you to overprint or write on additional information.

Posted in General by Philip

Important information is often displayed on a label which is specifically designed to be removed and then disposed of before the item is used. These labels are used to inform a customer what to do before using the product, for example, many DVD players display a label which says that you should note that the drawer of the player will not open until the first time installation procedure has been completed. This can mean that it may have to be connected to a TV and the instruction followed on the screen.

Naturally the label has to remain fixed to the product during transit and whilst being unpacked, but at the same time has also to be easily removed with damaging the surface or leaving adhesive on the product. We can supply removable stickers which will stay in place for as long as you want them to on a product, but are easily removed without leaving a damaged surface or a residue behind. The labels are available in simple black and white printing, full colour and can be supplied in a size and shape to carry the information intended for the product.

Posted in General by Philip

The label is a vital marketing tool as it is very often the most visible thing that the customer will have of your company and the product. This is why the visibility of the label and the appearance is extremely important for your business. However, it is not appearance alone, vital as that is, it has to serve a very practical purpose for a specific product or application.

The label today is used by companies for countless applications; this can be product identification, shipping address, the all important bar code for the check out or stock control, work in progress, simple pricing safety advice or how to use a product, any number of uses. To entirely satisfy all the needs required and to serve a useful purpose, the label has to have the ability to adhere any number of surfaces which can be glass, metal,  various types of plastic, aluminium, corrugated surfaces, and on top of that a huge variety of temperature ranges.

DataLabel has the ability and experience to meet the requirements of the toughest of assignments in the field of label manufacture and printing and we hold a huge variety of stock sizes that will suit most requirements. Should we not have the exact size cutter, for a small charge a bespoke cutter can be supplied. We are confident that we can meet the demands to make the label of your choice that will ensure visibility or information about your product or the purpose the label is to fulfil.

Posted in General by Philip

There are people who can find it difficult to read a label no matter how clearly this has been printed, or to what lengths the product manufacturer has gone to and make sure it is understood. A lot of people in this country have come from abroad and the more elderly have may not learned our language, relying perhaps on younger members of the family to explain instruction or read English to them. This is one reason why putting illustrated instructions on a medication or dental rinse for example can be important.

Illustrating how to use a mouthwash for instance does not have to be drawn in a manner which would bring accolades from the Nation Gallery, simple line drawings is often all that is required. Simple pictures with a numbered sequence and the wording below the drawing will provide information on how to use the product. Of course this in itself is not enough and statutory requirement such as the ingredients and safety information must still be printed. The illustrations and statutory requirement will usually occupy the label on the back of the product, leaving the front printed label to attract the customer to the product.

Posted in General by Philip