Variable information printing (VIP) can increase the efficiency and quality of your label printing. However, to achieve your intended results, you must be familiar with the correct mix of printing materials, ribbons, and printers for the labels you are producing.
VIP can be used on various materials, from self-adhesive to textile labels. But keep in mind that different substrates and labels require different printers. Thermal transfer ribbons, which print the ink onto the surface, must be adjusted to the various substrate and label materials.
Skanem Africa provides VIP for an entire range of products and can help you choose the right materials. In this article, we'll guide you through the options of printers, labels, and ribbons needed for different materials.
VIP Printers
Selection of the correct printer is key for VIP. You can get entry-level, mid-level, and industrial printers, all with different technical features to match labelling and ribbon needs.
The main things to consider are the make and model, the print speed, and the printer application/driver. Whether the printer has a flat head or a near-edge technology is also relevant, as a flat head provides a slower speed than a near-edge printer.
Read more: A guide for choosing cost-efficient and sustainable label materials
VIP Labels
Labelling is essential in just about all areas and industries, from electronics to textiles. Wherever there is a need to adjust the label information quickly and easily, VIP comes in handy.
Thermal Transfer (TT) technology is used to print information onto the labels. Mainly, TT comes in the form of barcodes or other kinds of traceability data, often used to ease logistics and transportation tracking.
Some substrate solutions include labels placed directly onto packaging. This is more common in the food and pharmaceutical industries, which depend on lot numbers and use-by dates.
Below are examples of labels often used in specific industrial areas. Regardless of industry, the most important things to consider are the label’s size and the substrate.
1. Logistics
Being able to identify but also Track and Trace a product throughout its journey is an essential part of a company's logistics. Some of the more common labels used for this purpose include:
- Storage labels
- Shipping labels (courier labels)
- Waybills (Track and Trace)
- Chemical tracking (hazard labels)
- Crate Tracking
- Distribution labels
2. Health
Health products are a prime example of products that require accurate and reliable information printed onto the packaging or label. This information must also be available throughout the manufacturing process and up to the point when the end consumer receives the product.
Using VIP can guarantee that the print meets human and health criteria. Examples of health products and areas that benefit from VIP on labels and packaging are:
- Medical devices
- Chemicals
- Flexible packaging
- Blood bags
- Patient tracking
- Shipping
3. Textile
The labels required for textile products and packaging can vary, as some labels are softer than others. However, the most important thing is that the products can be identified from production and throughout their use.
A manufacturer should also be able to store and trace the products, and the end consumer should find the necessary information on labels long after purchase. VIP solutions for textiles therefore include, but are not limited to:
- Care labels
- Tags – product & pricing
- Chemicals
- Crate
- Distribution labels
Several other industries benefit from TT technology and VIP, from agri-food and cosmetics to horticulture and aerospace. Here is a complete overview of available labels and substrates from Skanem Africa.
Read more: How VIP can help your operations and compliance
Selecting the right ribbons for VIP
Ribbons are essential for printing labels because, without the correct ones, you won’t be able to achieve the results you wish to see. All Thermal Transfer ribbons are made of a PET film with a thermofusible ink deposited on one side and a protective layer of backcoating on the other. Adjustments still need to be made because the ribbon structure varies according to the number of total layers and the composition of each layer.
Furthermore, you need to consider the width, length, CSI/CSO (coated side in or out), current supplier, and current grade name of the ribbon. The printer technology you use, and the substrate/receptor used on the label also help you determine which ribbon is most appropriate. The substrate can be paper, tags, synthetics, or specifics (textiles and polyamides). In other words, many factors come into play when choosing ribbons.
There are three different ribbons used for three types of applications:
1. Wax - Standard Quality
Wax ribbons are widely used, primarily due to their high quality and cost-effective benefits. They are often applied to medicinal packaging, as well as distribution and shipping labels. This is the only ribbon that cannot use near-edge labelling printers, which enables faster printing.
2. Wax/Resin – Premium Quality
Ribbons that consist of a mix of wax and resin are high in performance, multi-purposeful, and enable the highest printing speed. They are mostly used in laboratories, storage facilities, and on product and pricing tags.
3. Resin – Super Premium Quality
Resin ribbons are highly resistant and known for durability, for instance, when high temperatures are involved. These are found on care labels, rating plates on electronic appliances, and on tires.
Read more: How much should your labels be able to endure?
To sum up, make sure you match the type of VIP printer with the correct labels and ribbons. And keep in mind that several types of labels and substrates can use the same ribbon. Find the best combination of materials for your brand’s manufacturing processes.
Skanem Africa provides technical advice, support, and offers a full range of variable data printers and labels, as well as thermal transfer ribbons.
