Category: Uncategorised

What are printer labels?

Printer labels are usually A4 sheets of plain labels for your laser or inkjet printer, so you can print what you need, stay in control, and use as you go. These types of labels can usually fit a huge variety of labels per sheet, and we have sizes between 1-70 labels per sheet, with more options for oval and round labels. They are manufactured using a high-quality 70gsm paper with a permanent adhesive backing and radius corners, making them very easy to peel and one of the most convenient types of labels, as you’re able to use them in both laser and inkjet printers.

What are printer labels used for?

Printer labels are high-quality 70gsm sheets, filled with a set amount of labels that have a permanent adhesive backing. These are used for creating your own labels, as we supply each set with a template, so you’re able to just edit what you want on your labels and print them at home on your inkjet or laser printer. This saves time, money and allows you to print what you need, rather than an estimated batch. These labels can be used for your business or your home, such as labeling your jars or your packaging, for example you could turn them into your own packaging labels.

8 Key Benefits of Printer Labels

1 Maintain control

The first benefit of printer labels is that you’re able to print what you want, when you want and how much you want. This will keep you in control of the labels, making sure everything is correct to your standards. Not only does it maintain control for you, but also if you’re a company trying to maintain quality control. Printing your labels on the go allows your production operation to always be able to label the right product, for the right consumer, at the right time. Therefore, meeting the correct quality standards and maintaining the quality management systems; if there is a regulated label change, it will be cheaper and faster to use printer labels.

 2 Reduce costs and inventory

Using printer labels can help you cut costs – especially if it’s a small quantity – as you’re only printing what you need. Even if you have the best inventory management practices, it can often be difficult to predict the amount of labels you will actually use, and with printer labels you can print as you go. After storing printed labels for a long period of time, they may become dirty, damaged or yellowed, therefore printing them at home as you go can benefit you and your labels greatly.

 3 Gain flexibility

Label anything, at any time. Once you have your printer labels, you’re able to control when you print, how much you print and what you print. This leaves room in your schedule to fit it in whenever you need to, which is especially important if it is for your business, freeing up time for you to complete other tasks.

 4 Fast turnaround time

Having your labels ready, means you can skip the steps of contacting a designer or waiting for orders; you can print your own and finalise it yourself. This allows you to introduce new products on a shorter timeline, keeping you ahead of your competitors.

5 Easy updates

When you require updates to be made, having your labels ready to print provides you with easy changes. For companies that are currently growing, you’re able to update your information a lot more frequently as your branding, process and stock changes. This allows your consumers to stay engaged with you and your new products, especially when you consider special events, seasonal or special edition stock.

6 Reduce waste

You can reduce waste because you are able to print how many labels you actually need, rather than having to estimate the number of labels necessary.

7 High quality

Having a fast turnaround time and quick updates is essential for your business, however you also need good, high-quality labels for your products. Our labels are high-quality, and printed on 70gsm paper with permanent adhesive, allowing your labels to stand out and remain stuck down, whether it’s for your business or just your household needs.

8 Create custom labels of various elements

If you own a wide range of products in your business, or you want various labels for your home, using printer labels gives you that flexibility. Perhaps you need a barcode on one, text on the other and an image on the third, well with printer labels you can use our templates and add in what you need on each label. This creates room for creativity, efficiency and it can save you time and money.

What are packaging labels?

Here at Labels Zoo we produce a variety of high-quality labels, and one of our best sellers is our packaging labels in high-quality rolls of labels that come in two sizes and are made with super sticky adhesive. These are labels that usually contain a graphic or a piece of information on to indicate the contents of the box they’re stuck to. Such indicators may include the contents, product specifications, health and safety warnings, branding, pricing information, any additional marketing information, contact details, how to control the packaging, and more. Packaging labels are usually made to be durable and permanent to allow the important information to remain on the box or item they are stuck to for as long as possible, so users can absorb the information when handling the package.

What are packaging labels used for?

Packaging labels are mainly used to indicate the contents of the packaging to which they adhere, providing information to the holder or courier. Some categories of product are subject to legal and regulatory requirements, which can stipulate specific information to be added to the item before it is allowed to be sold. An example of this is having prices and quantities or having relevant health and safety warnings on a potentially dangerous or hazardous product. Therefore, having packaging labels to provide specific information, specifications or contact information is a must.

The benefits of packaging labels

Here at Labels Zoo, we are proud to produce a wide range of useful packaging labels that will help boost efficiency and keep your packaging safe, such as Do Not Bend, Fragile, This Way Up, Heavy, and more. Our packaging labels are hi-tack, permanent adhesive labels that are made with high-quality materials and are available in two different sizes. Packaging labels can help workers and consumers make informed decisions about the packaging they are stuck to, but that is not all, packaging labels have many more benefits, including:

• Provide information – providing the correct information can be vital – especially if the contents are hazardous or food related – to inform the user if it is safe to open or consume the contents. Not only that, but it can also protect the contents if the label states do not bend or handle with care. Therefore, utilise packaging labels to clear misunderstandings and better inform any customer or holder.
• Improve delivery – From warehouse to arrival, all purchases sent to deliver require labels, and sometimes multiple throughout their journey. Therefore, having certain packaging labels can not only make yours stand out, but it allows any user or holder to handle it properly, which reduces damages and returns.
• Safe and secure – Allow our packaging labels to ensure the security and protection of your product and whoever handles it.
• Efficient – With the right informational packaging labels, it can avoid any returns or misuse of the packaging, making for a faster delivery and higher success rates with deliveries. Therefore, it gives you more time and control over other sections of your business, creating a more efficient work environment.

Which Label?

Packaging labels come with a variety of informative, hi-adhesive designs to best suit your business and needs. Our high-quality packaging labels come in rolls and are available in two different sizes, depending on your preference. Depending on what you need them for, we are sure you will find what you’re looking for in our list, including do not stack, urgent, do not bend, keep dry, sold, handle with care, and more. Feel free to check out our packaging labels page for more information.

Got a question?

With a varied number of labels that we produce for our clients, across a wide range of industries, we are leading experts when it comes to labels. Our Zoo Keepers are more than happy to help you through the process, guiding you every step of the way and willing to answer any questions or queries that may arise. Do not hesitate, get in touch by calling one of our friendly Zoo Keepers or leave us a message, as we’re here to help!

What Are Integrated Labels?

Integrated labels, sometimes known as ‘integral labels’, ‘peel-out labels’ or ‘shipping labels’ are a paper-based document, usually A4 in size, with adhesive labels incorporated into it. This simple label and paper combination can save order processing time and improve order accuracy, as well as labour efficiency. Integrated labels are used to combine various documentation onto one single sheet, which can reduce the time it takes to print the documents and it removes the need to purchase both the sheets of labels and the paper.

Integrated labels usually come in single, double and triple. This is one, two or three integrated labels per sheet including adhesive to suit any application. Many companies are starting to use these labels for their daily operations due to the many benefits when using them, and they can be used to streamline the shipping process as they are able to combine shipping labels and your customers’ invoices.

What are integrated labels used for?

Integrated labels are mostly used for the delivery of products or services, and companies that utilise these labels have significantly improved efficiency within their operations by printing multiple pieces of information onto one sheet, such as the order information or invoice with the delivery/returns labels.

Integrated labels are also often used for:

• Return Labels
• Dispatch Labels
• Invoice Labels
• Shipping Documents
• Packing Slips
• Delivery Notes
• Bullet Labels
• Pharmaceutical Labels
• Information Labels

The benefits of integrated labels 

Integrated labels can be completely personalised with any laser or inkjet printer, making your delivery or dispatch notes fit in with your brand identity. These can be done at the same time as the return or address labels, which greatly reduces errors, time and money spent. Making major improvements in efficiency when using integrated labels allows for more time to increase productivity in the workplace. More benefits include:

• Completely personalised and customisable
• Easy and hassle-free to use
• Reduced errors
• Efficient – save time and money

 

Easy returns make consumers happy!

Integrated labels help keep all of the documentation of an order in one specific place, which can greatly reduce the risk of errors in shipping. However, if a customer does require a return on an item, using integrated labels will save your company a lot of time processing the return due to the label being included in the order. This makes for an easier return for both you and the consumer, as well as providing excellent customer service, which can increase consumer loyalty.

How To Use Integrated Labels

1. Integrated labels are usually designed to match an existing layout from a popular software or e-commerce platform, such as Amazon Marketplace. Therefore, this will need to be taken into consideration when choosing the label best matched to your desired platform or software.
2. It is recommended that you should try a test print after you choose the integrated label that is most suited to your company and needs. This is the safest option before printing orders in bulk.
3. It is important that all the information on the labels is aligned with your choice of integrated label, so checking the paper size and making sure the configurations match the label dimensions is the third key step. This is crucial since you want to ensure consistent results.
4. Margins are also important; you want to be able to have a header, footer and left and right margins. This part may be trial and error, but we can of course make sure it is suitable to your needs.
5. Once the labels are perfect, we can save your preferences for future orders which will save time and allow an efficient operation process.

Which Label?

You are able to choose from 25 formats with Labels Zoo to suit your software or e-commerce solutions. Different sites are able to work with our labels, such as: Amazon Marketplace, Paypal Packing Slips, eBay Selling Manager Pro, Actinic, Sage, Quickbooks plus many more! If you’d like more information, feel free to visit our Integrated Labels page.

Need more information?

At Labels Zoo, we are able to produce a huge variety of labels for our clients across a wide range of industries. Our Zoo Keepers are market leading experts when it comes to labels, and they will be happy to help and guide you through the process and any questions you may have. Don’t hesitate, we’re here to help!

Since March, UK online retail sales have spiked to record levels, leading to an increased demand for integrated labels and record sales for Labels Zoo.

With the panic-buying trend in March, UK supermarkets saw an unprecedented rise in the demand for essential items, with shelves being left empty across much of the country. According to the statistics from Neilson, UK Shoppers made nearly 80 million extra trips to supermarkets in the run up to the government announcing its lockdown. This resulted in consumers spending an additional £1.9 billion, which drove a 20% increase in overall supermarket sales during this period.

With lockdown being announced towards the end of March, and the majority of us being confined to our homes, many high street shops were forced to close their doors. This led to a dramatic shift in shopping habits as UK consumers took to their smart devices and went online for their essential items.

Surge in e-commerce

The overall proportion of retail sales that took place online grew to 30.7% in April, from the already historically high level of 22.4% in March.

The UK’s online retail sales continued to soar as we moved into June, even though non-essential bricks-and-mortar retail began to exit lockdown from the middle of the month.

According to the latest IMRG Capgemini Online Retail Index, overall online retail sales in June surged 33.9% year-on-year – a new 12-year high since March 2008.

As reported by analysts at insights firm Edge by Ascential, the swell in online shopping caused by the coronavirus crisis is expected to add an extra £5.3 billion to UK e-commerce sales this year; with Amazon being declared the “clear winner” as it is forecasted to add an extra £2 billion in UK sales, totalling £31.1 billion by the end of 2020.

So where do labels come into it?

The increase in demand for delivered goods over the past few months has cascaded down into the supporting industries, including labels manufacturers and suppliers. As well as the increased requirement for product labels as supermarkets battled to keep their shelves stocked, the rise in demand for delivered goods caused a proportional demand for:

• Shipping labels
• Packaging labels
• Despatch labels
• Address labels
• Invoice labels
• Returns labels

Predictably, the healthcare sector also experienced and unprecedented demand for its products and services during the coronavirus pandemic. One of the most critical functions of integrated labels is for pharmaceutical products and laboratory testing. In recent months, labels manufacturers and suppliers have seen an increase in the requirement for:

• Medicine labels
• Medical warning labels
• Medical waste labels
• Test sample labels
• Specimen bag labels

Why are integrated labels important to e-commerce?

Integrated labels improve the accuracy of e-commerce processing. One of the biggest factors contributing to customer dissatisfaction is the lack of accuracy in the shipping and delivery process. By incorporating all the necessary product, customer, and shipping information on a quick-to-process label, e-commerce businesses can reduce the likelihood of processing errors, and in turn, reduce customer dissatisfaction.  E-commerce businesses across the world depend on integrated labels to:

• Reduce picking, handling errors
• Reduce shipping and invoicing errors
• Personalise communications
• Simplify deliveries and returns
• Save time and money

Integrated labels can also provide businesses with further marketing opportunities for their products and services. The addition of discount codes and 2D barcodes can be a simple and effective promotional tool that can be incorporated onto an integrated label – encouraging customers to engage further with the product and brand.

In short, the effective classification, packaging, and distribution of nearly all products sold online relies on the use of integrated labels.

Record Sales for Labels Zoo

As a result of the increased demand for essential products and delivered goods, Labels Zoo saw a 40% increase in orders for integrated labels between March and July, compared to the same period in 2019 – marking a record period in sales for our Zoo Keepers.

Labels Zoo’s Integrated labels offer an ideal solution for your customer address labels, invoice label sheets or despatch notes. Our range of high quality, low cost labels help e-commerce businesses and online sellers to streamline their processes and therefore save money.

Call one of our friendly Zoo Keepers or leave us a message if you’d like to discuss your integrated label requirements.

What are Integrated Labels?

An integrated label is a paper document, usually A4 in size, with one or more self-adhesive labels incorporated. Integrated labels are also referred to as ‘Shipping Labels’, ‘Integral Labels’ or ‘Peel Out’ labels.

In Demand

According to a report from Oberlo, global ecommerce sales amounted to more than $3.5 trillion USD (£2.7 trillion GBP) worldwide in 2019. With the ever- expanding global marketplace, as well as the rapid growth of online businesses, comes a greater need for quick and easy dispatch solutions and customer friendly returns. As a result, Integrated labels have become more and more popular.

What are Integrated Labels Used for?

• Dispatch Labels
• Return Labels
• Invoice Labels
• Promotional Labels
• Bullet Labels
• Pharmaceutical Labels
• Packing Slips
• Shipping Documents

Whilst there are many applications for Integrated Labels, they are most commonly used for integrated dispatch or integrated return labels.

The Benefits of Integrated Labels

• Easy to personalise
• Reduce errors
• Save time
• Save money

Using any laser or inkjet printer, online retailers can personalise a delivery note, or dispatch note at the same time as the address labels or return labels – streamlining processes, reducing errors, and saving valuable time and money.

The Labels Zoo Solution

Labels Zoo’s Integrated labels offer an ideal solution for your customer address labels, invoice label sheets or dispatch notes. Our range of high quality, low cost labels help e-commerce businesses and online sellers to streamline their processes and therefore save money. Furthermore, you will eliminate mistakes and save time by printing everything in one go.

Which Label?

Choose from 25 formats to suit your software or e-commerce solution. Our labels work with Amazon Marketplace, eBay Selling Manager Pro, PayPal Packing Slips, Actinic, Sage, QuickBooks, and many more. Add a returns label, a bullet label or even a promotional message if required. Each label has a template that you can download to check if it works for you. If you are still not sure, then please order a free sample of any of our labels to try them out before you order.

Call one of our friendly Zoo Keepers or leave us a message if you’d like to discuss your integrated label requirements. Can’t find what you need on our website? No problem. Let us know what you need, and we’ll be happy to discuss our bespoke template options with you.

Thermal label printers use heat to create to an image. There are two main types of thermal printing techniques: direct thermal and thermal transfer.

Direct Thermal

The label surface is coated with a heat reactive layer which turns black when in contact with the heat from the print head. This heat reactive surface will effectively cause the print to fade when exposed to sunlight, strong artificial light or indeed friction (cartons rubbing together in transit for instance) with the speed of fading dependent upon the intensity of the light or friction. For this reason, direct thermal labels tend to be used for short shelf life products such as fresh food. Although there are no ribbon costs associated with direct thermal labels, there are other cost implications as without the ribbon acting as a protective insulator between the print head and the label, the print head will wear more quickly requiring more frequent replacement.

Direct thermal synthetics are a good choice for carton and retail pack labeling in the chilled and frozen food sectors where the labels are exposed to high levels of moisture and rough handling during transportation

Advantages:

• Simple to use; a ribbon is not required as it images directly onto the label
• Used in most printers
• Cost effective
• Greater productivity due to no ribbon changeovers
• Clear and consistent images for good readability and ‘scannability’
• Suitable for both 1D and 2D barcodes
• Paper and synthetic material options available
• The quality, stability and durability of the image is suitable for most common requirements

Disadvantages:

• Can fade over time (6-12 months)
• Overexposure to heat or UV light discolours the material, making the print harder to read
• Limited abrasion resistance

Thermal Transfer

The labels are printed through a thermal transfer printer where, at the point of the print head, a layer of ribbon is placed on top of the label. The print head elements heat up and cause the carbon pigment that is on the ribbon to transfer to the label, creating the required image.

Thermal transfer paper labels are a good choice where direct thermal is not suitable or the print quality of the ribbon is preferred.

Thermal transfer synthetic labels are more durable so are better suited for long-life applications such as outdoor labeling, or applications where high levels of moisture or scuffing are expected.

Advantages:

• Excellent print definition for text, images and barcodes
• Ideal for small characters and line work
• Suitable for both 1D and 2D barcodes
• Wide variety of paper and synthetic materials available including clear, pearl, metallic, and fluorescent
• Coloured ribbons available for branding and promotional uses
• Better resistance to heat, moisture and chemicals
• Stable and durable images that are long-lasting
• Higher speed printing
• Longer print head life

Disadvantages:

• Not all printers are thermal transfer compatible
• Ribbons must be kept in stock are an additional cost; a ribbon saver can reduce the amount of ribbon used
• Requires additional setup time and ribbon changeovers
• Ribbons can wrinkle and compromise print quality

 

 Label Construction

All four components of the label are important in their own right, however, the face stock, tends to require the most immediate consideration as it is the surface on which you are actually printing. Does the label need a topcoat or protective coating? This topcoat is used to protect the print job from various types of environmental conditions. There are two main types of coating:

Varnish – This is what you would use when you want to have a protective gloss applied to the face stock.
Laminate –This type of topcoat is generally used when a label will come into contact with chemicals or if the label needs to be protected against abrasion.

Another major component is the type of material on which you will need to print to complete the job. There are various types of material and films from which to choose; choosing the correct one is what will separate a successful printing job from an unsuccessful one. Let’s take a look at the most commonly used types of face stock:

Paper is the type of label most typically used. It is made from natural wood or pulp.

Film is generally made from a synthetic or plastic material. For the most part, these types of labels can be utilized for decals, beverage identification or whenever moisture resistance is needed.

Foil is made from aluminium or alloys and is great when needing to label a rigid or semi-squeezable container.

Static Cling labels are vinyl face stocks that are used for most smooth surfaces such as glass, and painted metal.

Magnets are made with paper or film on the uppermost layer with a bendable magnet as the bottom layer.

Holograms are micro embossed metallic film, that is intended to be more eye-catching

So which type of Thermal Label should I use?

Given the advantages and disadvantages of both types of thermal label, your primary consideration should be the type of application for which the label is intended. Here’s a quick guide to help you to select the appropriate thermal label for your print job:

That’s the Badger!

• Box Quantity – 12 rolls per box
• Label size : 4” x 6”
• Perforation every label
• 475 per roll on 25mm cores

One of the newest additions to the zoo, the Badger LZ101 is our Direct Thermal Eco Perm paper label with general purpose permanent adhesive.

Suitable for Zebra printers as well as a variety of other printers, these versatile and cost-effective labels are useful for easily printing addresses, shipping labels, and 2D barcodes for Royal Mail. A favourite of online retailers and couriers, these thermal labels will stick reliably to various packaging surfaces, including cardboard boxes, to ensure your important information stays intact.

Still Unsure? Let us help

At Labels Zoo, we produce labels for a wide variety of clients across multiple industries. Our Zoo Keepers are market leading experts when it comes to all things label. Whether you need more information about thermal labels or would like to discuss any of the products in our extensive range, we’re here to help.

Call us on 0800 707 6567 or send us a message