Basics of food labeling

Applicators, also known as labeling units, apply self-adhesive labels by removing each individual label from the backing paper and transfering it to the product. The remaining blank backing paper is usually automatically wound up. An applicator may have a mechanical or a motorized winder and unwinder, depending on the required labeling performance and specific requirements. You can adapt your labeling system for your specific speed. Motorized winders may work at a speed of 200 meters or 2000  labels per minute.

Label dispensers, also known as manual applicators or manual label dispensers, are labeling units that can be used to label a wide variety of products with various types of self-adhesive labels. The applicator can be equipped with a printing unit if required. This allows the user to print labels with, for example, lines of text, changing dates, barcodes and batch numbers. The difference between a label dispensers and an applicator is, that the self-adhesive labels for the workflow are removed from the dispensing beak manually and the next label is made available automatically by the label reel.

Watch here: manual label applicator for bottles or jars

Unlike self-adhesive labels, which already have the adhesive backing, wet glue labels require a separate label glue or label adhesive. During the labelling process, that glue is applied so the label will adhere to the product. Wet glue labels typically wrap around products like cans, bottles or jars.

Watch here: wet glue PET bottle label application