Pharmaceutical and Medical Packaging News Magazine
PMPN Article Index

Originally Published January 1998

PRODUCT UPDATE

Wrapping It Up with Labels

Labels not only communicate, they seal, secure, and protect.

Whether they're designed to comply with regulations or to attract consumer attention, labels must convey their messages clearly and creatively in a limited space. To achieve either of these goals, printing must adhere well to labeling substrates, materials must stick to products, and the entire label must withstand sterilization, shipping, and stocking.

Suppliers are designing labels that not only meet these requirements but also act as packaging, security devices, and ESD-control mechanisms. Packagers can often work with suppliers to customize labels for unique specifications.

A catalog highlights labels and signs color-coded to identify components and materials from the laboratory to production to the warehouse. In addition to displaying a range of standard labels and signs, the guide provides information for users interested in designing their own labels, which can be produced by the company. The catalog also describes GMPrint, a Windows/DOS-based software program that allows users to design and print their own labels. GMP Labeling, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA.

Static-free labels available in both polyester and polyimide are designed specifically for use with medical devices, surgical supplies, and related items. Capable of reducing ESD levels of 7000 to 10,000 V to fewer than 100 V, StaticSafe labels can be applied both manually and automatically. Imtec, Inc., Bellows Falls, VT.

A manufacturer offers labels that can function as total packages, incorporating sealing, identification, and lidding. In-house resources for adhesive formulation, material coating, art preparation, proofing, printing, and processing enable the firm to create a variety of unique designs. Topflight Corp., York, PA.

Stretchable labels can be printed in 360º sleeves in up to six PMS colors. Made of polyethylene, the labels can be applied with either a manual or machine stretching operation, and they relax to affix to products without the use of adhesives, tape, heat, or other sealants. The labels withstand filling, packing, shipping, and warehousing. Pro-Tek Packaging Group, Hauppauge, NY.

PVC shrinkable tubing is formulated for high-speed banding systems. The tamper-evident, crystal-clear tubing can be imprinted, offers good dimensional control, and shrinks uniformly. Templock Corp., Oxnard, CA.

Heat-transfer labels can be applied to glass, metal, and plastic containers. Therimage labels can affix to curved, tapered, and recessed plastic containers, and Clear Advantage labels can affix to injection-molded plastic containers and caps, glass bottles and jars, and metal cans. Using gravure presses, the company can produce full-color photographic images, halftones, solid-line colors, bright metallics, and inks that change color. Full technical support is available. Avery Dennison, Decorating Technologies Div., Framingham, MA.

LABELS SOURCE LIST

• Avery Dennison, Decorating, Technologies Div., Framingham, MA
• Avery Dennison, Fasson Div., Painesville, OH
• GMP Labeling, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA
• Imtec, Inc., Bellows Falls, VT
• New Jersey Packaging, Fairchild, NJ
• Pharmalabel, Greensboro, NC
• Plymouth Printing, Cranford, NJ
• Pro-Tek Packaging Group, Hauppauge, NY
• Templock Corp., Oxnard, CA
• Topflight Corp., York, PA