System ID Barcode System Blog
We are often asked, “What are the best barcode labels for my manufacturing operations?” Before our label experts recommend the right labels, we ask questions about how the labels will be used, where the labeled items will be stored, to which surface they will be attached, and the size of the labeling area.
As you know, every environment has different requirements. However, for common manufacturing applications, most companies consistently use certain print technologies, label materials, and adhesives.
What are the best barcode labels for inventory? WIP? Shipping? Should I use direct thermal or thermal transfer, paper or synthetic? We’ve taken the guesswork out for you with our list of common manufacturing applications and labels.
Label basics
Before reviewing the list of common manufacturing applications and labels, let’s take a moment to go over the basics.
Technology
Thermal printing is primarily used for barcode labels. There are two types of thermal print technology.
- Direct thermal (DT) – Sensitive to light and heat, direct thermal labels are primarily used for items with a short life span.
- Thermal transfer (TT) – Durable and chemical-resistant, thermal transfer barcode labels work well for items with a longer shelf life. Labels made out of synthetics are durable and long-lasting. They resist abrasion, moisture, and chemicals.
Materials
These material types—also known as facestocks— are mainly used to manufacture barcode labels.
- Paper – Paper labels are primarily used for direct thermal printing. They work best for general-purpose applications, shipping labels, inventory labeling, and work-in-process (WIP).
- Synthetic – Labels made out of synthetics are mostly used for thermal transfer printing. Durable and long-lasting, they resist abrasion, moisture, and chemicals. This makes them ideal for harsh industrial conditions and items used outdoors.
Synthetics
These materials are most commonly used for synthetic labels.
- Polyolefin – This corona-treated material provides flexibility for labeling curved or rough surfaces.
- Polypropylene – This high-quality material resists scratches, smears, and chemicals.
- Polyester – This material provides outstanding print quality and unparalleled smear, scratch, and chemical resistance.
- Polyimide – This material withstands high temperatures up to 500°.
- Long-life acrylic – This material is best for long-term outdoor use.
Labels
There are several types of labels to meet a wide variety of needs.
- Stock – Stock labels are commonly used for a vast majority of applications.
- Specialty – Specialty labels are a type of stock label designed for less-common applications.
- Custom – Custom labels are specially ordered to fit specific printing needs.
- Preprinted – Preprinted labels are a type of custom label to which you can add colors, logos, text, and graphics. You can purchase labels that are fully printed or partially printed to add variable information in-house.
Software
Inventory control, label design, and asset tracking systems use barcode labels to optimize manufacturing operations.
- Barcode label – This software enables you to design, create, and print labels that comply with industry, federal, and international regulations.
- Inventory management – This software automates the data collection process by identifying and tracking inventory such as raw materials and parts used by manufacturers to assemble products.
- Asset tracking – This software automates the tracking of depreciable assets such as computers, office furniture, vehicles, and equipment.
Common manufacturing applications and labels
The tables below list the best paper and synthetic barcode labels for applications commonly used by manufacturers.
Have questions about the best barcode labels to use for your unique labeling needs? Consult with a System ID label expert before purchasing labels. Doing so will prevent you from wasting time and money on products that won’t work.
Paper
|
Application |
Technology |
Adhesive |
|
Cold storage |
TT |
Permanent all-temp |
|
Cold surfaces when labeling |
DT |
Permanent all-temp |
|
Compliance and product packaging |
DT |
All-temp |
|
General-purpose product and food identification |
DT |
Permanent or removable |
|
General-purpose, indoor use only |
DT |
Permanent or removable |
|
Indirect food labels |
DT, TT |
Permanent or high-tack permanent (can also use polypropylene) |
|
Inventory management |
DT |
Permanent or removable with limited resistance to moisture or abrasion |
|
Packaging materials such as corrugate, plastic, and metal |
TT |
Permanent |
|
Product identification |
TT |
Permanent or removable |
|
Quality control |
DT |
Permanent or removable with limited resistance to moisture or abrasion |
|
Shelves, bins, or totes (reusable) |
TT |
Removable |
|
Shelves, documents, and pallets (removable) |
TT |
Ultra-removable |
|
Shipping labels |
DT |
Permanent |
|
Sorting |
DT |
Permanent or removable with limited resistance to moisture or abrasion |
|
Wood and other porous surfaces |
TT |
High-tack permanent |
|
Work-in-process (WIP) |
DT, TT |
Permanent or removable with limited resistance to moisture or abrasion |
|
Source: Zebra Technologies |
||
Synthetic
|
Application |
Technology |
Material |
Adhesive |
|
ABS, aluminum, and stainless steel surfaces with outdoor exposure for up to 7 years |
TT |
Long-life acrylic |
High-performance permanent |
|
Asset tracking |
TT |
Polypropylene |
Permanent or high-tack permanent |
|
Asset tracking, excellent chemical-resistance |
TT |
Polyester |
Permanent, high-performance, or high-tack permanent |
|
Asset tracking, good chemical-resistance |
TT |
Polyester gloss |
Permanent, high-performance, high-tack permanent, or removable |
|
Chemical drums |
TT |
Corona-treated polyolefin |
Permanent all-temp |
|
Chemical drums (1-2 years outdoors) |
TT |
Polypropylene |
Permanent or high-tack permanent |
|
Circuit boards |
TT |
Polyimide |
High-temp permanent |
|
Cold storage |
TT |
Polypropylene |
Permanent or high-tack permanent |
|
Hard-to-label surfaces |
TT |
Polypropylene or polyester |
Permanent or high-tack permanent |
|
Hard-to-label surfaces, excellent chemical-resistance |
TT |
Polyester |
Permanent high-tack |
|
Harsh environments with high temps |
TT |
Polyester |
High-temp permanent |
|
Industrial settings with high temps |
TT |
Polyimide |
High-temp permanent |
|
Jewelry (for use in cleaners only) |
DT |
Polypropylene |
Permanent |
|
Jewelry (for use in cleaners and steamers) |
TT |
Polypropylene |
Permanent |
|
Outdoor tools and equipment |
TT |
Polyester gloss |
High-performance permanent |
|
Outdoor tools and equipment |
TT |
Long-life acrylic |
High-performance permanent |
|
Product labels |
TT |
Polypropylene |
Permanent all-temp |
|
Serial plate labeling, excellent chemical-resistance |
TT |
Polyester |
Permanent, high-performance, or high-tack permanent |
|
Serial plate labeling, good chemical-resistance |
TT |
Polyester gloss |
Permanent, high-performance, high-tack permanent, or removable |
|
Shelves and bins (removable), excellent chemical-resistance |
TT |
Polyester |
Removable |
|
Shelves, bins, furniture, products (removable) |
TT |
Polypropylene |
Removable |
|
UID-compliance |
TT |
Polyester |
Permanent or high-tack permanent |
|
UL/cUL and CSA-compliant product identification, excellent chemical-resistance |
TT |
Polyester |
High-performance |
|
UL/cUL and CSA-compliant product identification, good chemical-resistance |
TT |
Polyester gloss |
Permanent, high-performance, high-tack permanent, or removable |
|
UL/cUL-compliant product identification, excellent chemical-resistance |
TT |
Polyester |
Permanent, high-performance, or high-tack permanent |
|
Utility meters |
TT |
Polyester gloss |
High-performance permanent |
|
Utility meters |
TT |
Long-life acrylic |
High-performance permanent |
|
Vending machines |
TT |
Polyester gloss |
High-performance permanent |
|
Vending machines |
TT |
Long-life acrylic |
High-performance permanent |
|
Warning labels (long-term) |
TT |
Long-life acrylic |
High-performance permanent |
|
Source: Zebra Technologies |
|||
Nicole Holcomb
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