Medical Device Link.

Pharmaceutical and Medical Packaging News Magazine
PMPN Article Index

Originally Published January 2001

Identify Products with Labels

Durable materials prevent loss of information.

Pressure-sensitive roll labels for healthcare and pharmaceutical compliance packaging can be custom designed and engineered by a specialty supplier in partnership with the client. The company converts a variety of pressure-sensitive papers and film materials with a range of adhesive characteristics. Labels are printed with up to eight colors plus varnish by means of flexographic, rotary letterpress, and ultraviolet processes. All are inspected and machine counted to meet strict GMP standards. Pharmagraphics, Itasca, IL.

Synthetic labels have been added to a company's line of paper labels, which are engineered for optimal performance on the firm's printers. The Techno Therm SF series offers durable synthetic label materials that can handle difficult applications in harsh environments. The SF100 material is a cost-effective facestock composed of a durable polypropylene film. Created for the labeling of rigid and semirigid surfaces, the SF100 has a glossy finish that suits it for a wide range of applications. The SF200, a matte white facestock, can be used for general material tracking applications such as drum, shelf, or bin labeling. The SF300, with its combination of heat and chemical resistance and tear strength, is the most versatile label material in the SF series. The labels work not only with the company's printers, but also with those of other manufacturers. Sato America Inc., Sunnyvale, CA.

Removable labels that can be marked with bar codes and variable human-readable data are suitable for identifying products in reusable plastic containers. The durable, tear-resistant labels can be imprinted by nearly any thermal-transfer printer and are used to route, track, and otherwise maintain identification of containers even if those containers are subject to extreme environmental conditions. Light, heat, moisture, and rubbing will not smudge the labels or cause them to lose adhesion or print clarity. The labels can be removed by hand at conveyor speed and leave no adhesive residue when removed. They are available fan-folded or in rolls. Avery Dennison VIP Converted Products, Philadelphia, PA.

Front-panel overlays for sophisticated electronic products are screen printed on a custom basis so as to reflect the quality of the product and make its operation easy for the user. Graphic overlays can feature custom spot colors, durable four-color printing, or smooth halftone gradations. The manufacturer offers precision laser cutting for close-tolerance requirements and is able to produce intricate cutouts or prototypes. Bay Area Labels, San Jose, CA.