Preventing Label Application Problems

How to Store your Label Rolls

Before you load your new label rolls to your printer, make sure to hold your labels by the edges to avoid smudging or fingerprints. It’s best practice to maintain your labels in the original packaging until you are ready for printing. Store your labels at a cool, dry place to prevent humidity. For best print results, you should protect your labels from constant exposure to direct sunlight or fluorescent light.

Inspect your labels before application

Before applying labels, be sure to inspect the label roll. Regardless of whether you apply your labels by machine or by hand, damage to the label roll may pull away from the liner can cause problems during application.

The surface of your labels should be clean and dry and free of debris and oils prior to label application. LabelRolls that have been handled with bare hands are often the cause when labels fail.

Consider your environment

Label application problems are often caused by environmental conditions, usually temperature and humidity. For best results, apply labels only in dry, room-temperature conditions. Of course, it’s not always possible to avoid extreme temperatures or humidity.

Properly store unused label rolls

When not in use, label rolls should be stored properly to maintain their quality and adhesion properties. Always store label rolls in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or sources of heat. If possible, keep the rolls in their original packaging to protect them from dust, moisture, and contaminants that could compromise their performance.

Rotate your label stock

Label materials, adhesives, and liners may lose their effectiveness over time, especially if not stored properly. To ensure optimal performance, practice the “first in, first out” method of inventory management. This means using the oldest label rolls in your inventory first, so they don’t sit on the shelf for too long.

Acclimate labels to the environment

If your labels have been stored in a different environment than the one in which they will be applied, it’s essential to let them acclimate to the new conditions before use. Allow the label rolls to sit in the application environment for at least 24 hours before using them. This will help prevent potential issues related to temperature or humidity differences between storage and application areas.

By following these guidelines on how to store and handle your label rolls, you can ensure optimal performance and longevity of your labels. Proper storage and handling of label rolls will result in better print quality, more reliable adhesion, and reduced waste due to damaged or unusable labels.

You may also want to check out related articles on the topic, including How to Print Color Labels and Best Practices for Printing Color Label Printer.