Label Printers

#1 Trend In Labeling

October 20, 2017 by value

In the spring of 2014, I wrote about Loftware’s annual survey of customers and their perception of changes in the future; especially involving print on-demand color labels. Loftware, Inc. (https://www.loftware.com/) is the global market leader in Enterprise Labeling Solutions with more than 5,000 customers in over 100 countries.

In their 2013 report, they predicted a significant growth in print on-demand color labeling. Read about it here: http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2014/04/enterprise-wide-color.html

In their latest 2016 survey, Loftware predicts a very large increase in color label printing. Here you can watch their webinar specifically on this technology: http://resources.loftware.com/Reduce-cost-overhead-color-label-printing-Thank-You.html

Or download the survey here:

http://resources.loftware.com/Top-5-Trends-Enterprise-Labeling-2016.html

Watching this webinar, you will find all the reasons to begin using the solutions we sell; and validates the Color Label Solutions business model. The number 1 trend was the move to printing color labels on-demand.

Two key findings from this survey are as follows:

90% of their customers believe color label printing will become more important
60% of their customers plan to purchase color label printers.

WOW! That’s a new buyers for the solutions we sell!

According to Loftware and their survey, the reasons driving this tremendous increase in color label printing are as follows:

Complying With Government Mandates. If you following this blog, you’ve read about GHS (Global Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of chemicals) and the importance of color label printing. In fact, we have currently 60 posts on our blog featuring GHS. California Prop 65 warning is another example of a regulatory mandate that may require manufacturers to print color labels on demand:

http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2017/09/new-ca-prop-65-requirements.html

Improving Brand Management. Companies are placing more value on their brand; and want to convey their unique brands throughout the supply chain consistently. Also, color enables companies to distinguish between product lines/models/sizes quickly and easily across multiple languages.
Eliminating Preprinted Labels. 70% of Loftware’s customer use preprinted labels. But preprinted labels come at a cost; Obsolescence, Storage, Lack of Design Flexibility, Process costs, etc. Print on-demand color enable companies to print at the last possible moment, to enable design flexibility and reduce/eliminate label waste and storage.

Listening to Loftware’s webinar it’s clear; companies are learning the branding importance, cost savings and process improvements in moving to on-demand color. That’s why Loftware created the native drivers for color label printers now available in their software. Loftware offers drivers for Epson, QLS, CAB and even PCL based laser printers. According to Loftware, native drivers simplifies deployments, enables large scale deployments, reduces network traffic (large data print streams) and optimizes printer performance. Loftware seems to be on-board the color train!

Also, during the webinar, Loftware referenced a blog post written by Richa Groupa of VDC. VDC (http://www.vdcresearch.com/) delivers in-depth market insights to technology vendors, end users and investors across the globe; featuring reports in the AIDC market including label printing.

In her post,

https://blog.loftware.com/migrating-the-aidc-market-from-monochrome-to-multi-color

Richa states their research showed 40% of their end user respondents use print on-demand color labels in their operation. Although the perception that color costs more, preprinted labels create a lot of waste accounting for 9.3% of all label purchased. This waste along with all of the Branding, ID and Compliance benefits mentioned earlier will drive more companies to print on-demand color labeling.

http://www.vdcresearch.com/_Documents/briefs/autoid/16-Color-Label-Printers.pdf

My thanks to Maureen Perronil and Jessica Hutter of Loftware for their outstanding webinar.

If you are considering deploying Loftware and/or color label printers, contact us to help you decide how to proceed. By focusing exclusively on this market, Color Label Solutions is your premier provider of systems to help you print color labels on-demand.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com

Edibles Packaging & Labels

October 9, 2017 by value

DISTRICT EDIBLES (http://www.districtediblescolorado.com/) is a quality, artisan crafted edible line now available in Colorado and other states. All edibles are created in small batches, with Ultra-premium CO2 extracted cannabis oil. Consumers will feel the difference in the quality and consistency of our products so you can really redefine your high!

District Edibles Packaging & Labels

Recently, I asked District Edibles to talk to the PR agency for Epson and the Printing News about labeling in the cannabis market. Based on this request, the Packaging News published this article that featured our customer and myself.

http://www.printingnews.com/article/12365495/labeling-the-high-life

In the article, Lauren Gilligan from District Edibles said the following:

District Edibles is another brand that is seeking to set itself apart, using packaging to help it stand out from the crowd. “When it comes to label design and packaging, we look for something unique and appealing,” said Lauren Gilligan, vice president of sales & marketing. “In order to stand out in a cut-throat market like Colorado, we look for the initial look of the product. Is it eye-catching? With so many brands on the market, it is really important to have curb appeal in order to captivate the consumer. The next feature we look for is texture. Is there a particular feel to the label? It stimulates another sense for the consumer, and makes your product a lot more memorable. Since we work in cannabis, safety also plays a big role in our package design. Packaging needs to be functional to make sure it doesn’t get into the wrong hands of children or pets.”

And I got my comments in the article as well:

“Three key requirements are driving cannabis manufacturers and processors to the use of on-demand color labels,” agreed Guy Mikel, president of Color Label Solutions, reseller/partner of the ColorWorks on-demand inkjet label printers. “First, companies in the cannabis business must comply with the state requirements, which keep changing. As most states require a variety of variable data such as serialized package tracking, lot or batch identification, and/or THC or other component testing results, companies need to include this information on their packaging. Printing this information on the label is the most efficient means to meet this requirement. Second, companies are developing new products. As new SKU’s are tested and developed, label content evolves. An on-demand color label makes changes easy to do. Third, branding is a key component of the marketing of cannabis products, especially as the market moves into the recreational segment. Manufacturers want and need to convey their product attributes and product positioning in a retail setting. Great looking color labels on-demand help marketers project a premium product image; which is what District Edibles has achieved with their products.”

Overall, I like to thank District Edibles for participating in this article featuring the customers of the Epson label printers. Also, I’d like to comment on three aspects of the packaging District Edibles is using.

First, District Edibles prints their labels full-bleed. It’s not easy to print 100% of your labels full-bleed. The media guides in the C7500 make it relatively easy to print the edges of your die-cut labels with ink. This post documents my feelings on the media guides in the C7500:

http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2017/09/lx2000-vs-c7500.html

District Edibles Packaging & Labels

Second, District Edibles prints their labels in black. Black is the most difficult color as you can see any “imperfections” in the print. This previous post explains the difficulty in printing all black:

http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2016/11/ink-pigments.html

Third, District Edibles is using a package we sell; the MPack. This child-proof, tamper-evident, and water/air tight container is great to meet the regulatory and product requirements for edible cannabis products. Plus we’re producing the MPack in black for District Edibles, giving them a unique look. In this previous post from our participation in the Seed to Sale tradeshow, I discuss the MPack:

http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2017/02/cannabis-label-solutions.html

It’s great to have customers like District Edibles; as they grow in this brand-new market. If we can help with the labeling of your edible or other products, be sure to contact us. We’d love to have more great customers like District Edibles.

Guy Mikel

866-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com

Label Expo Europe 2017

October 1, 2017 by value

This week, I attended Label Expo Europe in Brussels for the first time. Although I had attended Label Expo in the US several times before, I found this session much more valuable. Let me share with some of the new, exciting technologies I saw in the print on-demand color world.

Guy Mikel at Label Expo Europe 2017

The most exciting new technology I saw at Label Expo did not involve labels; rather corrugated. Beautiful, On-Demand, Color Corrugated.

Inkjet Coated Corrugated Printed with the NS Midi

Inkjet Coated Corrugated Printed with the NS Multi

New Solution (www.newsolution.eu) was showing inkjet coated corrugated printed with the NS Multi Corrugated printer.

http://newsolution.eu/ns-multi

At approximately $100,000, this printer is not inexpensive. The NS Multi uses 5 Memjet print heads to print up to 42” wide corrugated; very quickly. Watch this corrugated printer in action:

Here is a picture for the loading table:

NS Multi

Using the inkjet coated corrugated created by New Solution, you can now produce cartons for all of your products on demand. To make this system work, you flood-coat print the boxes with the inkjet coating, then form the box, and then print. Box manufacturers should be able to produce the inkjet coated material as it’s no different than flood coat printing. Once the box is coated, the NS Multi produces great looking boxes. I was very impressed.

NS Multi Printed Box

For those regular readers to this blog, you may remember our work in print on-demand corrugated:

http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2016/09/label-expo-2016.html

This new technology opens packaging to the same drivers as on-demand color label printing. With all the SKU’s, now you can produce the boxes you need, when you need them. On-demand cartons offers significant cost savings in both reducing obsolete inventory and improving processes.

In addition to the new corrugated technology, Okidata launched the new Pro1050 color LED label printer.

Okidata Pro1050

The Pro511 uses new technology to print compared to most LED and laser printers. This technology offers better color registration and narrower/shorter labels as well as no waste of label traveling through the printer at the end of a print job.

.83” to 4.95” Print Width
.5” to 52” Print Length
6” per second
1200 x 1200 DPI
60 KG (no on-demand demonstrations at this weight)

Plus this technology produces great looking blacks and even white colors on a wide variety of substrates. Notice how black is the print.

Pro1050 Black On Clear Film

Pro1050 White on Clear Film

Pro1050 on Silver Metallic

Pro1050 on Antique Beer Label

Now, very clear film, metallic, bright gloss synthetic, inexpensive films and other materials will be available for on-demand color printing. And the printer toner costs will be priced competitively to inkjet ink according to Okidata.

However, Okidata will not make this printer available in North America initially. I will keep you informed as I learn more of their plans.

Although we’ll not be able to sell the new Pro1050, we’ll start selling the new L501 as soon as it’s available approximately February 2018.

L501 Color Label Printer

With an estimated list price of approximately $3300 (official price has not been set as yet), this 8.5” wide color label printer produces great looking labels; in both dye and pigment-based inks. The L501 offers great flexibility in printing by changing the consumable printhead. Need bright colors; use dye-based inks. Need durable prints; use pigment-based inks.

Watch the L501 print wide labels here:

Normal mode on the left; and draft mode on the right

The L501 is very comparable to the LX2000; but from my perspective better design in both the hardware and software. The L501 uses a newer generation of HP print engine compared to the LX2000. I’m very hopeful for the L501 for those companies who must print wider than 4.25” labels. Compared to the LX2000 from Primera, the L501 should offer a better design, faster printing and maybe lower ink costs according to Afinia.

As the L501 gets closer to market, we’ll keep you informed on the availability of this new 8.5” wide label printer.

For professional printers and in-plant print shops, we saw the perfect companion device to the C7500GE at Label Expo; the Eclipse Mini Finishing Station from Impression Technology Europe:

http://www.eclipselabelequipment.com/label-finishing-equipment/the-eclipse-mini/

Mini Finishing Station

At approximately $10,000, the Mini Finishing Station can laminate and die cut label up to approximately 4” wide at a price point much less expensive than other finishing stations available on the market. Most of the other finishing stations start at approximately $25,000. With the Mini, you can now print continuous labels, laminate and then die cut to the specific size you need. No more ordering a wide variety of die-cut label sizes and then printing. You can keep only one size in inventory.

Watch it run here:

https://youtu.be/5PUmzmvbMys

The Mini uses knifes (plotter type) to cut labels and not dies. But given the mini is only 4” wide, the speed is not too bad. Not fast; but not excessively slow.

With the Mini, you can now purchase inexpensive media; and then laminate to add durability or glossy finish. And the Mini should enable you to lower your label costs. Combined with the C7500GE which offers the Wasatch RIP for better color control, the Mini makes entry into the digital printing market easy for most any professional printer. At a fraction of the cost of a digital press.

Another new hardware technology available at Label Expo came from Memjet; and both New Solutions and Trojan Label showed new versions of the above the web (media path) printhead technology. The Atom from New Solutions:

Adam Color Label Printer From New Solutions

And the T2C from Trojan Label (now a part of QLS).

T2C from Trojan Label

Both of these units are high speed label presses; but in a smaller footprint. And as I understand, both use the same above the web (media path) Sirus printheads making maintenance much easier than earlier designs. I have a lot to learn about how these printers work before I comment more about the technology.

These new industrial designed color label printers will seem to produce thousands of beautiful labels. More interesting to me, is that I learned Memjet has launched a new print technology offering longer printhead life and pigment ink. Read the press release here:

https://www.memjet.com/press-releases/memjets-next-generation-printhead-technology-brings-inkjets-benefits-high-volume-print-markets/

By next spring, we should see pigment-based printers from Memjet OEM partners; in a variety models. With this type of great, new technology coming to market, the print on-demand color label business will continue to grow.

At the Neuralabel booth, I learned they were making a big change with their 300x color label printer.

Neuralabel 300x

According to Ken Lund, President, Neuralabel will begin selling a version of the 300x with a straight paper path. In the past, the 300x has had troubles with label media jamming as it goes around the 3 turns in the printer. By adapting the printer to use a straight paper path, the 300x should become a much better option for 8” wide label printing. Perminate printheads, fast speeds and high resolution are key capabilities of this printer if the new design can prevent jamming in the printer. Read this earlier post on the 300x here:

http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2016/03/300x-color-label-printer-top-10.html

In addition to new hardware, I found many new types of media for print on-demand color labels.

Wine labels that print great even with the low resolution C831 printer:

C831 Wine Labels

Imagine how nice these labels will print with higher resolution printers.

Or inkjet coated fabric labels for mattresses and carpets:

Inkjet Coated Fabric Labels for Carpets

Inkjet Coated Mattress Labels

And some great new material from my friend Franz Walter Pohlhaus. Die cut, matte paper visitor badges with adhesive backing that fold at the perf to form a thicker, stiffer badge:

Adhesive Backed Badges

Inkjet coated parking stickers with on-board lamination to protect from UV rays:

Inkjet Coated/Laminated Parking Stickers

Or inkjet coated, heat-sealed paper labels that form a package after printing:

Heat Sealed, On Demand, Inkjet Coated Package

Print On-Demand Direct Thermal POS Paper

Inkjet Coated POS Paper

Watch the C7500 print the back of direct thermal POS paper here:

Overall, the trip to Label Expo was very informative; and well worth my time and money. All this new technology makes me excited by the prospects for print on-demand color labels. Contact us if we can help you with any of this new technology.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com

LX2000 vs C7500

September 14, 2017 by value

Recently, I’ve been asked, “What are the differences between the C7500 and the LX2000?” Frankly, this question is coming from people who do not want to spend the $8500 or more on the C7500; but want good print quality. The LX2000 is a lot less expensive and can print up to 8″ wide labels. In this post, I’ll explain my view of the 10 biggest differences between these two color label printers.

Before I start, you may find my initial post on the LX2000 of interest:

http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2015/06/lx2000-full-bleed-color-label-printer.html

On our blog, I found 38 different posts on the C7500. Here is my first post on this printer:

http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2014/09/first-review-tm-c7500-at-label-expo.html

Now the 10 biggest differences between the LX2000 and the C7500

Print Quality:
With a max print resolution of 4800 DPI (https://www.primeralabel.com/lx2000_specs.html),

the LX2000 can print great looking labels. At the highest settings, you can produce great lookihng labels. But with 1200 x 600 resolution

(https://epson.com/For-Work/Printers/Label/ColorWorks-C7500-Inkjet-Label-Printer/p/C31CD84011),

so can the C7500. Top is C7500 and bottom is LX2000; both are at the standard settings. See how the blue in the top of the picture (C7500) is darker, richer.

C7500 (Top) vs LX200 (Bottom) Print Quality Comparison

Ink Cost:

The ink cost in the LX2000 is much higher; but not as much as I expected for this artwork at normal settings. Using this label artwork, the LX2000 ink cost is estimated at $0.069/label versus $0.049/label for the C7500. $0.02/label more. These estimates are at normal settings. To get a higher print quality, many companies would be forced to run the LX2000 at a higher print quality setting. Therefore, I believe in reality the ink cost difference would be much higher.

LX2000 Ink Cost/ 4″ x 6″ Label

C7500 Ink Cost/4″ x 6″ Label

Yield per cartridge.

LX2000 vs C7500 Ink Cartridge Comparison

The LX2000 ink cartridge is much smaller than the C7500. Therefore, yields are much lower. In the above example, you would get 1094 labels/LX2000 Cyan cartridge and 9,085/C7500 cartridge. Almost 9X more. Magenta and yellow are about the same difference. Black is only 2X as the black cartridge is larger in the LX2000.

Printhead:

The LX2000 uses consumable printheads. You’ll need to spend $250+ for a printhead occasionally when printing large volumes.

Speed:

The LX2000 is very slow compared to the C7500. Watch how long it takes to print one label. In the video, the printer just finished cutting one label. Overall it took about 5 minutes to print 10 labels for the ink calculation at the normal setting. At the high print quality setting, the speed would be much slower.

And here is the C7500 printing 10 copies of the same label artwork:

Relatively, the C7500 prints much faster than the LX2000.

Rewind:

The C7500 offers a built in rewinder; the LX2000 does not. Watch the C7500 print and rewind 100 4” x 6” labels in 1 minute.

Button Push:

The LX2000 uses a series of button pushes that I still don’t understand. I believe you can get 20+ different actions based on these three buttons.

LX2000 Buttons to Push

Design:

The LX2000 is a HP printhead inside of a metal box. I find the design finicky. In fact, I cut my finger printing the 10 labels required for the ink calculation.

Inside the LX2000

The inside of the C7500 is well designed; especially the media path which prevents side-to-side movement of the label media.

C7500 Media Path

Label Roll: the LX2000 has a max OD of 6”. The C7500 has a max OD of 8”. Larger rolls mean fewer changes and lower label costs.

Support:

You’ll get a lot more support from us. Here is an example of the type of support we provide that I published earlier:

http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2017/07/1-solution.html

FULL DISCLOSURE: I find Primera difficult to work with. For sure, Primera does not want resellers like us as partners as they prefer to sell direct to consumers. For our customers, we’ll provide technical support; and we’ll help you negotiate the repair processes of our vendors. We work hard for our customers.

I hope these 10 aspects explain our view of the differences between the C7500 and the LX2000. I understand hardware cost is important; but you sometimes get more value by investing a bit more money.

If you have questions comparing label printers, call us. We’ll be happy to gain an understanding of your requirements and recommend the best label printing solution for your organization.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com

New CA Prop 65 Requirements

September 7, 2017 by value

For those of you doing business in California, have you seen this symbol?

New CA Prop 65 Icon

Beginning August 2018, you will begin seeing this symbol everywhere in California with the implementation of the new Prop 65 warning labels. Proposition 65 (California’s Safe Drinking Water and Toxic Enforcement Act of 1986) was implemented as a so-called right-to-know statute that requires everyone in the chain of commerce to ensure that California consumers receive “clear and reasonable” warnings prior to being exposed to a growing list of chemicals—now numbering more than 900. In 2018, California’s Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) has defined “clear and reasonable” to include the above warning symbol. You’ll notice the difference.

New Prop 65 Label Requirements

To see the latest 900 cancer or reproductive compounds on the list, visit here:

https://oehha.ca.gov/media/downloads/crnr/p65single07072017.pdf

Having worked in the crop protection industry for many years, I recognize many of the compounds. However, one of the compounds on the list was surprising to me:

Marijuana smoke:

https://www.p65warnings.ca.gov/fact-sheets/marijuana-smoke

With the changes coming to the cannabis business in January, I wonder how this warning will affect labeling prerolls, etc. in California.

Or aspirin:

https://oehha.ca.gov/proposition-65/chemicals/aspirin

A list of all the published fact sheets on each compound are here:

https://www.p65warnings.ca.gov/fact-sheets

Also interesting to me, the new Prop 65 labeling requires specific font size for the warning; no smaller than 6 point font and/or no smaller than the largest font for consumer information on the label. For more specific answers to questions, see this link:

https://oehha.ca.gov/media/downloads/crnr/art6businessqa.pdf

You may say this new Prop 65 warning does not apply to us as our company does not sell directly to consumers. In this situation, the manufacturer of a product that contains a compound on the list must notify their customers of the requirement. Given the notification requirement, I don’t know if they’ll decide to place the warning on their labels as well. That’s a question for the regulatory experts inside each company.

For our customers already meeting the requirements for GHS labels, printing this new warning symbol on-demand and in color will not be any big deal. On our blog, www.colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com, we have 59 different posts covering GHS. One of my favorite post covering GHS labels involved NIC Industries:

http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2016/06/c7500g-whiz.html

And Engineered Lubricants:

http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2015/01/ghs-needs-erin.html

If you need assistance printing labels for products covered by Prop 65 and/or GHS contact us. We can help you print color labels on-demand.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com

Color Rebar Tags

August 27, 2017 by value

Rebar (short for reinforcing bar) is a steel bar or mesh of steel wires used as a tension device in reinforced concrete and reinforced masonry structures to strengthen and hold the concrete in tension.

Rebar fabricators supply various grades, sizes and shapes to meet the requirements of construction projects. Given all the types of rebar, construction sites need a means to quickly identify the correct bundle for each part of a project. Color is the easiest method to identify rebar. Let me tell you more about using on-demand color rebar tags.

Brooklyn Rebar (http://www.brooklynrebar.com/) is a rebar fabrication company committed to serving contractors and warehouses in New York, Connecticut and New Jersey. They provide fabricated rebar to complex, large and small bridges, concrete high rises, tunnels, treatment plants, power plants, ranging in size, from 1 to 10,000 tons of rebar. Brooklyn Rebar is located on the Brooklyn/Queens line with easy access to all east side tunnels and bridges into Manhattan.

In January 2016, a Project Manager, of Brooklyn Rebar contacted us to discuss how they could print color tags for their rebar. During our conversation and subsequent work together, I learned that Brooklyn Rebar uses Soule Software, (http://www.soulesoftware.com/), which offers a complete suite of software for rebar fabricators and placers. In their software, Soule built the capability to use color in their customer’s operations. According to Bob Boeving, Vice President of Sales for Soule Software, “Color has become a very valuable tool for rebar fabricators. Now fabricators can add color bars to their tags to help the job site stage and locate the correct materials for each specific part of a project. Fabricators can set up unique colors for each section of a project, which print automatically. This color capability helps contractors reduce errors and increase productivity on the job site.”

Bob continues, “color on-demand tags helps fabricators as well to stage, load and offload rebar correctly. With color, fabricators can pull off the truck rebar in the correct sequence. In addition, our software enables the use of images to show unique dimensions or bends in the rebar. These images help the fab shop understand what’s required to reduce potential errors. We can also use color to identify foreign or domestic steel; and to identify different grades of steel. This color identification helps the fab shop pull the correct steel inventory for their job. Overall, color on-demand tags are a powerful tool to help reduce errors in a rebar operation.”

Based on the capability of the Soule Software, Brooklyn Rebar purchased a C7500 and 4” x 6” matte poly tags.

Print On-Demand Color Rebar Tag

Initially, we had issues with the tags. First, we learned the C7500 can’t use standard shaped tags; tags with a notch for thermal transfer printers to detect top of form. When the printer pulls the tags back into the printer to start printing, the notches catch causing the printer to error out. Second, we tried new material with a shinier back. Although the tags would work in a C3500, they would not function in a C7500. It seems the C7500 has a substantially different blackmark sensor. The reflection on the back of the tag caused the printer to misread the blackmark. Third, we tried a thinner, 5 mil poly tag. Although durable, the 5 mil tag could tear at the notch, potentially losing the tags during shipping or moving in the yard. Because of these problems, we had supply issues, getting the tags to our customer. One aspect of the 5 mil tag; they print great!

5 Mil On-Demand Color Tag

(FYI: We featured this same tag material in our post on mattress tags) http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2017/06/on-demand-color-mattress-tags-labels.html

Through all these start up issues, Brooklyn Rebar stayed with us. And we appreciated their support. Ultimately, we settled on an 8 mil, matte poly tag with the design in the image above. And these thicker 8 mil tags seem to be working well.

Print On-Demand Color Rebar Tag

During a recent visit, a Project Manager for Brooklyn Rebar, showed me how they use color in their operation. According to the Project Manager, “we assign colors to specific areas of the project, using the Soule Software.”

Color Rebar Staging Document

“And in the software, it’s easy to pick the color for each section of the project”, said the Project Manager.

Soule Software Color Selection

“We use both solid colors and different color hash marks for each of the locations on a project. For most projects, the solid colors are sufficient. When we need more locations, we use different color hash marks. We find the color coding helps our customers and us internally to reduce errors and increase our productivity”, said the Project Manager.

After working with Brooklyn Rebar and learning more about Soule Software, I do believe automating color codes on tags will help fabricators significantly. Plus I like the fact that Soule built in the capability in advance of available technology; specifically the C7500. Even today, I know of software applications that have been built using printing languages from the 1980’s.

And more importantly, I appreciate companies like Brooklyn Rebar who search and use practical technology that improves their productivity and reduces the potential for errors.

If you need a color-coded label or tag solution for rebar or any other item, be sure to contact us. We would enjoy working with you to build a color-based solution that fits your business.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com

Summer PR Tour

August 21, 2017 by value

Recently, Andy Scherz, Product Manager for Epson America approached us with a request. Andy asked:

“Do you any customers who might like a little PR? We are focusing on the boutique product labeling market. Cheese, juice, lotion… The idea is that we would like to get some quantity of actual product with labels. We will show these labels and highlight how they were printed by Epson solutions. If you have any willing customers, please let us know.”

It seems Epson America was planning for the annual Epson Summer Press Tour.

ColorWorks Label Press Tour

The Epson Summer Press Tour is an annual event that Epson PR conducts for press and analysts to showcase new solutions and corporate initiatives. This event is not open to the public and is by invitation only to industry analysts and members of the press. And this year, over 100 press and analysts attended in New York City.

Originally, this event was created and remains primarily for media to see Epson’s latest consumer products for Holiday Gift Guide inclusion. In the last several years, Epson has shifted its company focus toward business solutions and leverages the event to generate larger brand awareness for Epson solutions that may not be as well known. For this reason, Epson incorporated displays from more industrial business lines at the event such as robotics, point-of-sale printing and commercial label solutions.

How could we say no to Andy? Based on this request, we suggested to Darek Connole, Public Relations for Epson a handful of customers who produce their product labels using Epson printers. Based on this list, the Public Relations firm for Epson, Walt & Company, www.walt.com, purchased on-line a selection of products from these companies.

ColorWorks Booth-Summer Press Tour

One the products/labels of company featured was Hummingbird Nectar. Douglas Everett produces beautiful labels for his product; using his great graphic artist skills.

Hummingbird Nectar Products

Many years ago, I wrote about Hummingbird Nectar, http://www.hummingbirdmarket.com/, on one of my first posts:

http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2013/03/customizing-my-nectar.html

Since day one, Hummingbird Nectar has invested resources and energy into producing innovative hummingbird nectar and offering quality hummingbird products. Over the past years their nectar has evolved; and will continue to change as this company introduce best-in-class products for your hummingbirds.

As Douglas says, ““The team a Color Label Solutions and Epson keeps us humming along”.

In addition to Hummingbird Nectar, Epson showed a product from Burn Hotsauce, https://www.burnhotsauce.com/, in their display:

Burn Hot Sauce

Burn Hot Sauce is an original, small batch, farmer and chef owned business in Santa Cruz California. All of their produce is grown on sustainable organic farms in California; and all of the fermented hot sauces highlight the farm on the label. Burn Hot Sauce is raw, alive and full of probiotics.

And I featured this company with some great products in a post earlier this year:

http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2017/01/hot-labels.html

Next, we got one of our long-time customers, Tongue River Winery, http://www.tongueriverwinery.com/, involved.

Tongue River Winery

Their slogan, “Quality Made Wines with fruit exclusively from the Northern Plains!” sums up not only their wines, but also the quality of the owner of Tongue River Winery: Bob Thaden and family. You’ll find the letter Bob included with the box of wine to Epson of interest:

Letter from Tongue River Winery

As Bob didn’t have to include this letter, it shows what a wonderful and kind man he is.

Also, Epson had products from Rejunvenation Therapeutics, https://rejuvenation-therapeutics.com/, in their display.

Rejuvenation Therapeutics Label

Rejuvenation Therapeutics is a health-centered, science-driven company that strives to extend lifespan and improve overall wellbeing. Within a burgeoning field of dietary supplements and nutritional ingredients, Rejuvenation Therapeutics stands out with their dedication to scientific evidence and regulatory compliance to ensure that their products are safe, effective, and beneficial.

Rejuvenation Therapeutics is using a C7500G to produce their gloss poly labels. I think they look great!

Lastly, Epson showed products from Miracle Botanicals, https://miraclebotanicals.com/, one of our customers from Hawaii.

Miracle Botanicals Labels

Essential oil is the passion of Miracle Botanicals! Ever since Hope Johnson was introduced to essential oil after the birth of her third child, these precious plant spirits have become part of their family’s daily life and over time every aspect of their lives has been transformed.

Rev. Hope Johnson is an Essential Oil Alchemist and Reiki Master. I love that she signs all of her emails to us, “With Fragrant Blessings”.

We’re fortunate to have such great customers like the one featured above. Please visit their website and try some of their products. Or if you have requirements for other food and beverage companies, contact us and we’ll connect you to some of our other customers.

I’d like to thank Epson and the Walt Company for the pictures from the event; and for including us and a few or our customers. Contact us if you want to produce beautiful and functional labels yourself.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com

Doob Tube Labels & More

August 13, 2017 by value

Peter Howell from Great Engineering in Australia came to Color Label Solutions this week to provide additional training on their line of label applicators; especially covering small container labeling.

Color Label Solutions Team

If you don’t know this company, Great Engineering (https://greatengineering.com/) makes world class label application equipment. Ideal for cylindrical containers for many industries: food and beverage, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. And don’t forget the boutique beverage and cannabis markets. Here is my previous post on the BenchMax applicator:

http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2017/04/benchmax.html

During our session, a few key points came out that I decided to share with you. First, the economical BenchMate (https://greatengineering.com/benchmates/) offers the capability to integrate with a C3500 label printer.

BenchMate Integrated with the C3500

Although using a hand crank, this manual applicator can apply a lot of labels, quickly and affordably. In addition, this manual applicator has the capability to apply 2 labels on one container, with very precise positioning. With the addition of the interface unit and foot press, you can print directly into the BenchMate, eliminating any requirement for rewinding. I find this capability very intriguing; especially given the price of the unit.

The BenchMate plus the Interface, Cable, Footpress and Freight to the US from Australia as seen in the above picture costs $1990. No other applicator at this price enables the printing of color labels directly into the applicator.

In you have containers less than 55 mm in diameter, the BenchMate+ offers the ability to apply labels to containers down to 17 mm (11/16”) in diameter. Be sure to watch this video of applying labels to very small bottles from the BenchMate’s webpage.

The BenchMate+ with the small container adapter and overhead roller costs $510 more than the BenchMate; totaling $2,500 with the components to apply labels directly printing from the C3500.

Second, Peter worked with us to apply labels to tapered bottles. Tapered containers, such as joint or “Doob” tubes, make label application very difficult; given the difference in diameter/speed of the container as it turns on the applicator. For example, we are currently working on a label that is .6875” on the tapered end; and 1.125” on the larger end. This .4375” difference is what makes label application tough.

Watch us apply a 2” x 1” label on a tapered joint tube with lip/lid.

As you can see in the video, the blue rollers of the small container adapter are moved to allow for the lip connecting the lid on top of the container. These type of design considerations make the BenchMax a very flexible machine.

And here is another video of the same application providing more detail on how the system works for applying labels to tapered containers.

And in this video, we applied several labels on the same tube; to show how the BenchMax applies labels in the same position each time.

In this last video, you can see how we cut the rollers to better apply the labels. Based on your containers, the BenchMax makes it easy to adapt the applicator for the type of container you have. No other label applicator makes adapting to the container easier. In this video, Peter from Great Engineering shows how to remove and cut the rollers to better fit your containers.

Third, the BenchMax offers an orientation capability. With this feature, you can apply labels on a round container in precisely the same position on every bottle. In our training, we used a Mason jar, and applied labels relative to the position of the embossed letters on the jar. Wish I had pictures; bummer.

Based on our meeting, I’ve found the BenchMax a very interesting choice for applying labels to a variety of round containers; especially small container vials. With the ability to integrate with the Epson printers, the ease of adapting to a variety of containers sizes and shapes, and the minimum sizes down to 8 mm in diameter make the BenchMax and BenchMate label applicators good choices for many companies. Contact us to learn more how these devices will fit your operation.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com

Complete Print Shop

August 2, 2017 by value

Postmark (http://postmark-usa.com/) showed their new CMYK printer at the Franchise Services Expo July 27 and 28 in Long Beach. Combined with their fixed feeder, Postmark calls their solution the Complete Print Shop.

CMYK Printer With Fixed Thickness Feeder

With the fixed thickness feeder, you can print a wide variety of items that are difficult to impossible to print with normal printers.

Watch the new CYMK printer and Fixed Thickness Platform run here:

And print Coasters:

On-Demand Color Coasters

Coffee Sleeves:

On-Demand Color Coffee Sleeves

Paper Bags:

On-Demand Color Bags

Thick Menu Cards or Shelf Talkers:

On-Demand Color Cards/Shelf Talkers

And other items such as envelopes, bubble envelopes, napkins, small boxes, etc. Pretty much anything paper you can now print with the fixed thickness feeder and the CYMK printhead.

You may remember we showed an earlier version of this device at WestPack 2017:

http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2017/02/westpack-2017.html

and a slightly different version at WestPack 2016:

http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2016/02/cls-at-westpack-2016.html

From my perspective, the biggest difference with the latest iteration is the software. Now, Postmark has integrated the Navigator RIP from Xitron:

http://www.xitron.com/products/navigator-harlequin-rip/

With this software, now you can print PDF’s easily; and get better print quality. Plus the workflow seems much easier to use. The Navigator RIP is a big step forward in ease of use of the CMYK print engine.

In addition to the new RIP, Postmark has reconfigured the printer; eliminating the need for hoses, wires and connectors. This new configuration makes it much easier to set up and run.

The 4” CYMK printer, Fixed Thickness Feeder and RIP costs approximately $20,000. The 8” version costs approximately $25,000.

If you need to print a wide variety of “thick” items; or you want to add a new source of income for your printing business, contact us to discuss how the CYMK print engine and Fixed Thickness Platform would work for you.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com

Perfect Print On-Demand Color Label Example

May 7, 2017 by value

Founded in 1987 as a local wholesaler of products for the cabinet and furniture trades, QuickScrews International Corporation (www.quickscrews.com) has evolved into the supplier of the most popular brand of fasteners in the industry; including their new solar division (https://solarroofhook.com/). Their highly trained and experienced personnel are ready to discuss their customer’s needs to deliver on the promise “Get the Screws You Need Faster Than Ever”. QuickScrews uses technology to service many different categories of customers; from weekend warriors looking to finish a project, large cabinetmakers or solar roof installers, or wholesalers looking to support their customers. In 2010, QuickScrews began selling their products online, which expanded their customer base to more than 10,000 customers and shipping orders within 24 hours of receipt.

From my perspective, QuickScrews is the perfect example of a company needing to print color labels on demand. With thousands of SKU’s, QuickScrews uses colors and icons to differentiate types of fasteners. With their solar products, here are their color codes:

QuickScrews Color Codes

And here are icons in use on one of their products:

QuickScrews Variable Icons

Quickscrews prints these labels using the C3500 in stations distributed in their plants in Livermore, CA and in South Carolina.

And they have experimented using a very inexpensive Go-Dex unwinder to feed large rolls of labels into the C3500. And it works seemingly great!

C3500 with Inexpensive GoDex Unwinder

But the real magic of the QuickScrews print on-demand color label solution is their database of products and their deployment of BarTender. According to Mark Buechler, Senior IT Manager for QuickScrews, “our Marketing department has spent a lot of time gathering information and taking pictures of many different fasteners for our database. We’ve worked hard not only setting up the structure of our database in Excel, but also adding the descriptors, color codes, and variable images associated with every single SKU we sell. It’s a process that will never end”.

In addition to the database, Mark has deployed BarTender, designing different label templates and setting up the network to pull the variable data, including the different text descriptors, icons and color codes to create the labels. According to Mark, “now each print station in either CA or SC accesses BarTender to print the labels required for each product. This solution makes it easy for our operators to label our products correctly. And the colors and icons make it easy for our wholesalers and customer to select the correct fastener.”

According to Elizabeth Sinclair, Manager, Verticals Marketing at Seagull Scientific, the creator of Bartender, “by using good data management practices in your labeling deployment as demonstrated by Mark and the Quickscrews team, you can create enterprise-wide efficiencies that save time, resources and money. Many companies use only the design component, and thus store data in label files. By integrating BarTender with a trusted data source, any changes are easy to make in one location rather than finding, opening, updating and saving every individual label. QuickScrews has deployed BarTender very effectively.”

Quickscrews has developed a great business model; becoming the subject matter expert in a relatively narrow field. This focus makes it easy for prospects and customers to purchase the correct fasteners. By adding a great print on-demand color solution, QuickScrews can now produce labels that make their products easy to use; both their channel and end users.

If you have a large number of SKU’s and considering print on-demand color labels, contact us. We’d love to help you build a great solution like QuickScrews.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com

Easy To Do

April 25, 2017 by value

Label printing can be difficult; I know. But label printing can be easy if done correctly. When the artwork matches the label size correctly, label printing is easy to do.

Nutriment.com (www.nutriment.com) believes that success in the nutrition business is predicated upon knowing what customers need to help optimize nutrient intake; and to help address specific health problems. Nutriment.com has the distinction of offering formulations with the most comprehensive ingredients lists—highly potent formulations with nutrients chosen to work together so that the final effect is greater than the sum of its parts.

Joint health, male enhancement, vitamin/mineral blends and sleep aid formulations are just a few of the products they offer, and their list continues to grow. All ingredients chosen for these specific formulations are only the purist, highest in potency and scientifically validated by clinical research. Nutriment.com uses only GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) certified facilities to produce its formulations. This requirement assures a safe and pure product that you can take with confidence.

When first contacting Peter Baker, Owner of Nutriment, I learned he needed a printer for producing short runs of labels for new products. “We launch new test products all the time,” said Peter. Continuing, “Some of these new products generate demand; some don’t. Once I have a large demand, we’ll purchase preprinted labels. Until we have a winning product, we don’t want to purchase a large supply of labels that may never be use.”

Given that Nutriment needed to produce a limited run of labels at a time, I offered to send samples from both the C3500 and C7500G printers. The C3500 is a very affordable label printer; the C7500G has much higher print resolution. We discussed also the L301 (http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2017/02/l301.html) and the LX2000 (http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2015/06/lx2000-full-bleed-color-label-printer.html) as well. But the ink costs would be higher to produce labels for these printers. For the Nutriment application, the C7500G was the best choice.

To produce these samples, Peter sent me artwork setup perfectly to work with a 2” x 6” label.

Nutrient Label PDF

Notice how the label is designed with the marks setting out the location for the corners of a 2” x 6” label. When printing these labels at the “Actual” size using Adobe Reader or Acrobat, the preview shows exactly how the label will look.

PDF Label Preview

For the most part, we don’t carry inventory of labels required to print all the possible sizes and types customers would want. But in this case, I checked with our plant, who happened to have a roll of 2” x 6” and 2.5” x 6” gloss poly labels in inventory. So I agreed to print some test labels for Nutriment.

Once I received the labels from the plant, I printed 7 different labels. On the first label, I found that I had to move the print slightly down and change the boarder setting to .06” to get the label to print exactly as required.

Label Horizontal Adjustment Example

We then packaged up the test prints and sent to Peter.

Nutriment Label Prints

With the correct artwork and label sizes, printing great looking labels is easy to do. Perfect for an application such as desired by Nutriment, printing labels as need for their prototype products. Companies launching new products all the time like Nutriment, printing on-demand color labels make good economic sense.

If you want to produce great looking labels easily yourself, contact us. We’ll help you get started printing labels quickly and easily.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com

BenchMax

April 13, 2017 by value

BenchMax Label Applicator (https://greatengineering.com/benchmax/) will enable you to use any label (or 2) on any round container larger than 8 mm in diameter. With the Small Container Adaptor, the BenchMax makes it possible to label containers down to 8 mm in diameter. And the Orientation capability scans the container for a feature, to insure labels are applied in the correct orientation. Finally, you can adjust the rollers to apply labels to round containers with ridges or other features.

BenchMax Label Applicator

More important to me, however, was the fact that you can now integrate the BenchMax into the C3500 and C7500 for on-demand color label printing and application. This capability makes the BenchMax the only off-the-shelf label applicator available for integration with a color label printer. I first wrote about this capability after WestPack 2017: http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2017/02/westpack-2017.html

When I received my BenchMax, I was pleasantly surprised how well the unit was packed for it’s shipment from Australia to the US.

After unpacking the BenchMax applicator, I attempted to thread the supplied labels through the machine. You can download the directions here: https://greatengineering.com/pdf/BenchMAX_BenchMARK_Manual.pdf

And be sure to watch this video on setting up the BenchMax first. It’s important and helpful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZDGScvkRcA

As the machine ships with the small container adapter in place, I made a mistake on the threading. Therefore, I decided to remove the small container adapter before moving forward.

BenchMax Small Container Adapter

But I had a heck of a hard time removing the adapter. To remove the adapter, you need to remove the Hex screw shown below and the knob.

Small Container Adapter Screw

When I tried to remove the screw, the adapter would turn, and not release. I believe this problem says more about my mechanical skills than the adapter. Once I held the adapter with the palm of my hand, and turned the Allen screw, the came off. With the adapter off, it was easy to thread the labels through applicator.

After threading the labels, I had to set the gap sensor. Frankly, I made a mistake in this step as well. I could not get the provided labels to apply correctly. You need to make sure the sensor is positioned off a few mm from the leading edge of the first label. This position below worked great.

BenchMax Label Leading Edge Exposed & Sensor Setting

And found the top of form on round labels as well:

Once I got the sensor set correctly, I was labeling containers. Even applying two labels to one bottle.

(Note to self: get some nice looking, unused round containers).

The BenchMax makes placing two labels with the correct spacing on one bottle easy to do.

After figuring out the applicator portion, I integrated my C7500G with the BenchMax. Following the instructions for the Interface was easy; get the instructions here: https://greatengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/interfaceInstructions.pdf

And the included label guide instructions as well: https://greatengineering.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/GuideInstructions.pdf

I thought the label guide worked well; and may work better using fanfold labels:

BenchMax Label Guide

And in minutes, I was printing and applying labels to large containers.

And by reinserting the Small Container Adapter, I was printing and applying labels to smaller round containers:

And here you can watch the printer respond to the commands from the interface:

When you first start to integrate the printer/BenchMax, be sure to print 15 to 20 labels to have lots of slack in the system. As the printer backs up when starting to print, you need approximately 10” to 12” of loose labels. After printing this initial slack, the Interface does all the work. And I confirmed, the Interface works with Adobe Acrobat and BarTender, making printing and applying labels with variable data easy to do. Be sure to keep the software application open during application; so the Interface can continue managing the label printing.

If you own a C3500 or a C7500/C7500G and apply labels to a round container, you should consider purchasing a BenchMax label applicator. Now, you can print and apply in one step; increasing productivity and insuring your labels are applied correctly in the exact position every time. The BenchMax applicator with the Interface, Label Guide, Cables and freight costs approximately $10,000.

If you don’t own one of these printers, now you should consider purchasing both the printer and BenchMax applicator to improve your operations and look of your finished products. Contact us to discuss how the BenchMax label applicator fits into your operation.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com

Label Color Management-Reader/Acrobat

March 19, 2017 by value

Color Label Solutions prints and send label samples out most days. And I’d say most of these samples are printed from Adobe Acrobat in my case. However, many of our customers print from Adobe Reader. These customers create artwork in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop or some other application before saving as a PDF.

While at a customer site this week, I decided to test some of the other Adobe Color Settings; as the colors in the initial print output were different from the C7500G versus the customer’s standard printer. By accident, I’ve found an additional way to improve color matching. I’m sure many graphic artists understand these capabilities; but I did not.

In the past, I posted on using the ColorTone Matching assistant and/or the Wasatch RIP available in the C7500GE to improve color matching.

http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2016/11/c7500ge.html

But for many of you, selecting a different setting in Adobe Reader or Acrobat may give you “close enough” or sufficient color matching. Let me explain further.

In the print dialog box of Adobe Reader, you can find the “Advance” button.

Adobe Print Dialog Box

In the Advance dialog box, you’ll find 3 basic options for color printing.

Adobe Reader “Advanced” Print Dialog Box

Let Printer Determine Colors Checked
Let Printer Determine Colors Unchecked (PDF Determines Colors)
Print as Image

In addition, you can select “Preserve CMYK Primaries” and “Preserve Black”. However, I didn’t notice any difference with these selections alone.

With the above label artwork, I found a difference when printing as an image. The green was darker, and maybe more yellow when printing using the setting “Print As Image”.

In Acrobat, I found Adobe provides many more options for color management; with 4 basic types:

Printer Color Management
Same As Source
Adobe Color Management
Print as Image

When Printer Color Management is selected, Acrobat says “Color Handling determines if color management will be used, and if so, whether it happens in the application or at the printing device. When ‘Printer’ is selected, convert any ICC profiles to PostScript CSAs, and color will be managed in the printer RIP.

With Same As Source is selected, Acrobat says “Color Handling determines if color management will be used, and if so, whether it happens in the application or at the printing device. When ‘Same as Source (No Color Management)’ is selected, embedded profiles are ignored, and only device values are sent.

When Acrobat Color Management is selected, Acrobat says “Color Handling determines if color management will be used, and if so, whether it happens in the application or at the printing device. When ‘Acrobat Color Management’ is selected, select an ICC Profile that describes the target output device.”

In my version of Acrobat, I count 42 different ICC profiles available when selecting Acrobat Color Management. Although not printing using all of the available profiles (some are black/grey’s only), I did find differences. With most of the profiles, I did not see a difference using this artwork and label media.

Acrobat Color Management Profiles

Using ColorMatch RGB (Matches the native color space of Radius Pressview monitors. This space provides a smaller gamut alternative to Adobe RGB (1998) for print production work), I found a darker green with this artwork.

Acrobat ColorMatch Profile

And I found the same print output using Apple RGB: (Reflects the characteristics of the average Mac OS monitor, and is used by a variety of desktop publishing applications, including Adobe Photoshop 4.0 and earlier. Use this space for files that you plan to display on Mac OS monitors, or for working with legacy (older) desktop publishing files.)

In addition, I did see a difference by selecting “Printer Color Management”. I’ve decided to make this setting the default.

For those of you printing with Adobe Reader or Acrobat, I encourage you to test your artwork with the variety of settings and maybe label media to see if you find a difference in color of your print output. You may find a better color matching option.

And for those of you we’ve sent samples, forgive me if the color wasn’t exactly correct. Maybe I could produce better color matches now.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com

L301

February 24, 2017 by value

I received my new printer the other day: the L301.

L301

Selling at $1,595, the L301 is the lowest price 4+” color label printer available. The ability to print up to 6” wide labels at this price point seems like a very interesting proposal for small label producers. I wanted to try it; so here is my out-of-the-box report.

L301 Label Printer

Prior to taking the printer out of the box, I realized that I could not install the driver. I needed to get from Afinia a file of the driver to download. At the time, the driver was not publicly available. You can now download it here along with the instruction manual and quick start guide:

http://afinialabel.com/support/software-drivers/

After unpacking, I started to install the printer by first plugging in the printer and installing the ink cartridges. Immediately I found discrepancy with the ink cartridge numbers. The manual called for Cartridges: #26548 and #26562. However the numbers on the bags were different. In the production units, the part numbers will be on the cartridge outer packaging.

After installing the ink cartridges, I installed the driver. However, the driver does not install completely until the USB is connected. Afinia says do not connect the USB cable until the driver is installed.

Once installed, the driver looks similar to the Neuralabel 300x and Primera LX2000 driver. Both printers use HP print engines; so that makes total sense to me. Read my earlier post on the LX2000 here:

http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2015/06/lx2000-full-bleed-color-label-printer.html

And 300x here:

http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2016/03/300x-color-label-printer-top-10.html

Next, the instructions gave me information about the media. Narrowest width is 2”; and shortest label is 2”. A 2” x 2” label is pretty large for the minimum size. Afinia hopes to reduce the minimum size to 1.75” x 1” shortly. And the widest printable label is 6”. The printer uses a 3” core, and a max OD of 6”. I then installed the media on the unwinder which was a lot easier than on the VIP 495. Read my post about this printer here:

http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2015/05/495.html

After inserting the paper, the printer pulled the label media into the printer and found the gap. I then printed my first 6” x 4” matte poly label. My first print took exactly 1 minute. And I did lose a label on my first print as the printer had to find top of form. Here is my first print on a matte poly coming out of the printer:

L301 First Print

As you can see, my right side was printing on the liner. To adjust this print start position, I had to simply add space on the “Left Offset” in the driver, found on the “Settings” tab.

L301 Driver Setting Tab

On my second label, the time to print was cut in ½. Slightly less than 30 seconds to print a 6” x 4” label. And the Left Offset adjustment worked! Notice the difference in the location of the ink on the right side of the printer.

L301 Printed Labels

To cut, I just moved the cutter across the path of the web. Worked great. Looking at the cut position, I noticed I would want to add about a 1/16” of an inch. The cutter adjustment in the driver enables this configuration; but does not say which direction is positive or negative. I’ve learned later that positive ejects the labels out further.

Next, I printed gloss paper labels. First I used a 6” x 4” label with a .25” gap and blackmark. When I tried to print, it would not work correctly. After thinking about the problem, I realized the blackmark was directly in the gap; and may be fooling the gap sensor. When I changed to blackmark, the gloss paper label printed as expected.

However, the printed label had two issues. First the print output had lines.

L301 Label Needing Alignment

By completing an ink cartridge alignment, the lines disappeared. Look at the Cyan block pre/post alignment.

L301 Alignment

I’m not surprised by the fact the cartridges require alignment when you first use the printer.

Second, the black ink came off the gloss paper I tried first. Look at the barcode in the downspout label above. As the black is a pigment ink, gloss is a harder match. I tried our standard gloss paper; and it performed much better. The black ink did not smear.

L301 On Gloss Paper

And the gloss poly printed very nice.

L301 On Gloss Poly

And I found the gloss poly labels waterproof; I was surprised by this result.

L301 Water Resistant Gloss Poly

On the matte paper labels, I found the material printed OK using the standard settings.

L301 Printed On Matte Paper

Although both barcodes scanned, I though the print quality could be better. The colors and text looked very nice, however.

On clear film, I thought they printed great.

L301 All Black on Clear Film

But the ink came off easily in water. Not really an option.

As for ink costs, the L301 is much more expensive than the C3500 or especially the C7500. For example, this artwork at 5.5” wide would cost ~$0.14 to $0.16/label.

On the LX2000, the ink cost of this label would cost approximately $0.05.

LX2000 Ink Cost

And the ink cost would be only $0.024/label for the C7500G at 4.25” wide:

According to Mike Atkins, Sales Manager for Afinia, “The Afinia Label L301 Color Label Printer is perfect for small and growing businesses. By printing In-house and on-demand, you give your company the flexibility to change your labels as-needed; to accommodate branding, ingredient, or government regulation changes. Powered by an HP thermal inkjet printing technology, the L301 will work well for small businesses wanting to print labels on demand.”

For the positives, the L301:

Costs much less than competitive printers.
Makes label printing easy to do.
Prints great looking labels up to 6” wide.

As for the negatives, the L301:

Uses expensive ink.
Prints very slowly.
Does not offer a networking option.
Limits gloss media to selected options

Overall, I found the L301 as an affordable option to print low volume quantities of labels wider than 4.25” wide. At $1,595, the L301 is under ½ the price of the LX2000; the competitive option. You can purchase a lot of ink for $2,000+ dollars. For those businesses printing 10 to 20 labels per day, who need wider than 4.25” labels and want to limit their investment, the L301 is a good option.

If you are interested in learning more about the L301 or any other label printer, contact us to discuss your requirements in detail.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com

Full-Bleed Label Media

February 20, 2017 by value

Color Label Solutions (www.colorlabel.solutions) is pleased to announce the availability of full-bleed specific labels. With these new labels, you don’t have to worry about overspraying ink onto the liner; then transferring the excess ink to the labels. With these labels, the ink dries immediately on the liner.

Full-Bleed Circle Labels

Basically, we now offer inkjet coated liners for your labels. Just like your labels, ink dries immediately on the liners; making it much easier to print full-bleed. If you have ever gotten ink on your fingers while applying labels, then you’ll understand the benefits of this new liner. The full-bleed specific labels are just easier to use.

C7500G Full-Bleed Circle Labels

To print full-bleed labels, I recommend generally the C7500 series printers. These printers offer something no other color label printers have: precise media handling.

C7500 Media Handling

Media in other print on-demand color label printers may move slightly horizontally while printing; making it more difficult to print full-bleed. With the media handling design of the C7500, labels don’t move horizontally; enabling better full-bleed printing.

C7500G Full-Bleed Label

To print full-bleed labels, I recommend the following:

* Design your labels slightly larger (1/16”) than the actual size of the label. This step is critical to get full coverage. Most people send me files different than the actual size of label I have. This difference makes it virtually impossible to print the label correctly.

* Set the label size in the driver .03” larger than actual. This adaptation helps insure the label is more likely to be completely covered. If the driver is much-more larger than the actual size, you get skips and “head maintenance” in the printer.

Too Large Label Format Error

* Use the narrowest edge of the label possible in the driver settings (0.06”) as the default is 0.08”:

C7500 Default Label Boarder Setting

This setting helps center the image on the template; especially important for circle labels.

If you print full-bleed, contact us to order the new labels designed for your application. You’ll save time, money and hassle by moving to the new, full-bleed labels.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com

WestPack 2017

February 11, 2017 by value

Color Label Solutions exhibited at WestPack (http://westpack.packagingdigest.com/) in Anaheim from February 7^th to 9^th again this year.

Beatriz Molina At WestPack

In addition to demonstrating the C7500, C7500G, the C3500 and the C831, we showed an exciting new item; the CMYK printer with the Fixed Thickness Feeder. Now you can print coasters, coffee sleeves, bags, cards, corrugated boxes and any number of thick items on-demand in color. Watch us print here: https://youtu.be/r9PC9puLeYM

The CYMK printer is the perfect income producer for printers and manufacturers who want to print thick paper and other inkjet-coated items. The CYMK printer and feeder ushers in a new age of on-demand printing, enabling many more personalized items at a much lower cost and labor requirement.

CMYK Printed Coaster

For the first time at the show, we demonstrated the 8” version of this printer. You may remember, we demonstrated a 4” version at WestPack for folded corrugated boxes:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHtUlpGk9SY

And erected corrugated boxes at EastPack last year:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgIBSxmPAOU

In addition to the new 8” version, we’ll release a new RIP (raster image process) for the CYMK printer next month. This new RIP will enable better, higher resolution printing with more image and color control. Look for more information shortly.

In addition out the new CYMK printer, we saw in-person a new item we’ll begin selling next month; the BenchMax round container applicator integrated with the C7500 and C3500 printer:

C3500 Integrated With BenchMax Applicator

This new applicator launches next month once the Interface devices receives approval.

BenchMax Applicator Interface

The Interface sets between the printer, applicator and the computer; managing the print jobs based on the output of the applicator. You can watch the C7500 with the BenchMax here:

http://greatengineering.com/epson-printers/

At approximately $10,000, the BenchMax is the most affordable round container applicator available that is integrated with the C7500 and the C3500 label printers. This unit is perfect for chemical, food, beverage or other manufacturers with round containers that want to apply labels more productively and accurately; in the same position every time.

In addition, I learned that the BenchMax could be configured with a Thermal Transfer printer to apply over-laminate on labels produced by the C7500. With this system, you can use much less expensive materials; and then apply over-laminates to add durability and a glossy look. It’s an elegant solution to a common requirement.

Finally, I saw the Swiftcolor 4” color label and tag printer print and cut great looking tags on-demand.

SwiftColor Printed Tag

Watch the Swiftcolor print/cut 20 4” x 1” tags in 4 seconds here:

https://youtu.be/s-PH4jtfPT4

The Swiftcolor printer is perfect for apparel manufactures who need to print tags and care labels on-demand and in-color.

I’m very excited by the prospects of the new 8” CYMK printer with the Fixed Feeder, the BenchMax integrated with the C7500 color label printer and the Swiftcolor printer for apparel tags. If you are a printer, the CYMK printer and Feeder are the prefect addition to your production assets. If you use round containers and want to print color labels on demand, the BenchMax applicator is a great new option for you. And if you are an apparel manufacture, the Swiftcolor printer offers a new capability to produce great looking tags on-demand and in color. Contact us to learn more about these valuable new machines.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com

Cannabis Label Solutions

February 5, 2017 by value

On January 31^st and February 1^st, 2017, we exhibited at the Seed To Sale Show (http://www.seedtosaleshow.com/denver-2017/) in Denver, CO; the national show focused on innovative best practices, science, and cutting edge technology in cultivation, processing, and sales strategies for the cannabis market. Over 2,000 people attended; and many came to our booth.

Beatriz Molina of Color Label Solutions at the Seed to Sale Show

During this event, we demonstrated several technologies, some of which are new, that fit the cannabis market. I’d like to recap the technologies we showed.

During the show, the C7500G received the most interest; especially the great-looking labels we were printing on gloss poly.

Gloss Poly Label Produced By A C7500G

For manufacturers of products, the C7500 produces the great looking labels needed for the cannabis industry. Brands are very important; pushing manufacturers to use premium looking labels. As regulators require the identification of items in the cannabis industry, the C7500 allows the printing of labels with variable data, simplifying the production process. Look at the label with variable data on the left side produced by one of our customers in the Denver area:

C7500G Color Label with Variable Data

This label looks beautiful; in large part by the designer. The C7500 color label printer is quickly becoming the standard label printer for the cannabis industry.

In addition to the C7500, we showed, for the first time, the ClariSafe Dispensing Color Label Printer.

ClariSafe Dispensary Printer

With it’s very small footprint and very affordable price, the ClariSafe label printer is perfect for prescription labels at checkout. This printer produces labels up to 2.25” wide with sufficient print quality, one-at-a-time, with text, barcodes and color images like the THC icon:

At $899.90, the ClariSafe Label printer is affordable; especially given it comes with BarTender Basic for designing and printing labels. Consider adding the ClariSafe Color Label Printer in your dispensary; your budtenders will love it.

In addition to the new ClariSafe printer, we showed the C831 printing pot stakes and plant wraps in color and on demand.

C831 Color Pot Stakes and Plant Wraps

Now you can use color in your growing operations to identify strains or communicate dates, for example.

Color Pot Stakes

Plus, they stakes and wraps are very durable, lasting throughout the life cycle of the plants.

Color Plant Wrap

Color can become a great new tool for your growing operation.

Also, we showed the MPack vial; the first new pharmacy vial since the 50’s.

MPack Child Resistant/Tamper Evident Packaging

This packaging is perfect for edible products, where child-resistant and tamper-evident packaging is required. The clips on the sides of the MPack are relatively easy for adults to open. And with the addition of our label, the MPack becomes tamper evident. If you’re looking for child resistant, tamper-evident packaging, contact us to discuss.

Finally, we started using our new URL just prior to the show: www.cannabislabel.solutions. Check out our new page.

The Seed To Sale Show was a valuable experience for us. If you could not attend this tradeshow but see something of interest, contact us to discuss how these tools will fit into your operation.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com

Fast, Colorful, RFID

January 26, 2017 by value

FlexStr8, Inc. (www.flexstr8.com) develops, manufactures, and markets integrated smart label systems, smart labels, encoders, and NFC software. Through continued research, new product development, and innovative manufacturing, they provide high quality cost effective technical solutions for our worldwide customers.

In 2015, I wrote about Flexstr8’s NFC encoder working with the C3500: http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2015/07/nfc-in-color.html

Since this last post, FlexStr8 has launched a thermal transfer NFC encoder/label printer with the Zebra GC420T: http://www.flexstr8.us/bwencoder/

And a temperature logger: http://www.flexstr8.us/smarttemp/. This temperature logger is very “cool”!

Now I’m excited to tell you about a new product; that encodes UHF RFID labels at 11” per second. Watch the C7500 encode and print color labels here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhnYbLU649s

According to Ralph Roessler, President of Flexstr8, says “Initially, developing a system to encode and print color labels using the C7500 was not on our development path. But a company approached us to develop a solution for them using UHF RFID tags, which could be printed in color and on-demand. After some thought, we decided to move forward; and quickly. We’re very proud of our solution.”

C7500 Encoding RFID Tags

Ralph continues, “As the printer runs at 11” per second, we needed a system not only to encode and print at that speed; but also identify the bad RFID tags without stopping the printer. By adding a reader antenna near the unwind station and another antenna after the print head, we could read, encode, print and skip a label if required due to a bad tag. Bad tags do happen; probably around 1% of the time. We needed to be able to identify the any tags that should not to use for tracking.”

According to Eric Casavant, FlexStra8 Product Engineer, “we designed this system to be incredibly easy to use. The system snaps onto the 7500 in a few seconds; then upgrades the device into a print on-demand color RFID printer.”

C7500 Pop-In RFID Encoder

With my history with UHF RFID labels, I see an opportunity for the use of these tags/labels in apparel. RFID in apparel has grown significantly in size over the last few years. According to this article, nearly 4 billion RFID tags were used in apparel in 2015: http://www.supplychainbrain.com/content/latest-content/single-article/article/retail-apparel-industry-taps-rfid-for-inventory-accuracy/. A perfect application for the C7500 and RFID tags/labels.

After the initial work with the C7500, Flexstr8 has found two other interesting applications. Ralph says, “GHS labels for time and temperature sensitive chemicals is a natural RFID market; especially with the requirement to print colored pictograms. RFID helps users track and locate time and/or temperature sensitive compounds easily and quickly.”

Ralph continues, “We also see a new market for identifying individual cannabis plants. With our RFID encoded tags, growers can track individual plants; and especially cloned plants. With RFID, you can identify and track individual plants; which is required in certain states. Color coding and potential marketing benefits is important with the capability to print in color on tags and labels.”

If you see a market for this fascinating new technology, please share with me your thoughts. If you have a need to track items quickly and easily using on-demand color labels, contact me to discuss this new solution from FlexStr8.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com

MIL-SPEC Color Labels

January 16, 2017 by value

I am pleased to announce that Color Label Solutions now offers print on-demand color labels that meet MIL-PRF-61002B and MIL-STD-129R.

Inkjet Coated, Color, MIL-SPEC Compliance Letter

Inkjet Coated, Color, MIL-SPEC Compliance Labels

If you don’t know these specifications, MIL-PRF-61002B comes from the Department of Defense and covers the requirements for pressure-sensitive adhesive labels that meet or exceed the end user’s necessary performance criteria for use in the implementation of bar code marking/reading operations. Obtain this MIL-SPEC here: http://metalphoto.com/wp-content/uploads/downloads/2015/03/MIL-PRF-61002B.pdf

MIL-STD 12S9R comes from the DOD as well; and provides the minimum requirements for uniform military marking for shipment and storage. Obtain this MIL-SPEC here: https://vsc.gsa.gov/administration/files/MIL-STD-129R.pdf

Up until now, most companies were required to use thermal transfer printers to comply with these standards involved with shipping products to the DOD. In fact, you’ll find direct mention of this printing technology in both documents.

However, one of our customers came to us wanting to switch from thermal transfer (specifically the Zebra 170Xi4 6” wide and 220Xi4) to inkjet printed labels. He wanted to make this switch after using the C831 printers to produce GHS labels.

C831 Label Printer

We have a lot of posts on using the C831 printer to produce GHS labels:

http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2015/09/apprehension-good-design.html Ranger Distribution

http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2015/01/ghs-needs-erin.html Engineered Lubricants

http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2015/01/dyeing-for-ghs.html Pylam Products

According to our customer, four reasons make the C831 printer a better option than wide thermal transfer printers for printing DOD labels. First, printed labels are evaluated by the Department of Defense (DOD) to insure they meet the standards. Ribbon wrinkle, which happens when the thermal transfer printer ribbon does not feed correctly, happens occasionally producing a barcode with streaks. These streaks may make the barcodes not readable. When this occurs, the DOD may reject the shipment, costing suppliers to the DOD a great deal of money. With the higher print resolution (760 x 360 versus 203 or 300 dpi for thermal transfer printers), the C831 printer eliminates the risk of ribbon wrinkle.

Second, changing ribbons can be a pain with thermal transfer printers. According to our customer, their operators hate to change ribbons. Watch the process to change ribbons in a Zebra 170Xi4:

https://www.zebra.com/us/en/support-downloads/printers/industrial/170xi4.html

Comparably, changing ink cartridges takes just seconds.

Third, ink costs less than ribbons; especially resin ribbons. Here is a post from some time ago detailing the cost differences. http://colorlabelsondemand.blogspot.com/2013/12/trust-me.html

In our customer’s situation, the large inkjet labels are less expensive as well.

Fourth, the labels printed with a C831 just look better than those printed on a standard thermal transfer printer. Although the DOD doesn’t purchase based on label design and quality, our customer believes the color labels from the C831 represent a higher quality image of the product and company; reinforcing positively the DOD’s purchase decision. Adding color logos, images, color coding and text can differentiate your company from other vendors.

If you supply the DOD, consider moving to print on-demand color labels. We’ll support your move to this new, better looking, easier to use, and less expensive option.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com

Fun With Labels

December 11, 2016 by value

After selling, installing and supporting thousands of label printers, I say 95+% of them are utilized in manufacturing/producing a product label. So this post is different; it’s about using label printers to produce a handmade, unique commemorative item – Or what I call, “Fun with Labels!”

Recently, our neighbor, Carrie, asked if I would produce labels for her project. And of course I said yes; but wanted to know more about her plans.

It seems she wanted to produce something special for her book club. According to Carrie, “our book club has been together for more than 8 years. And this year, I just happened to be hosting our December meeting. Given it was the end of the year, I wanted to make something special for our club that commemorated the books we’d read. I checked Pinterest; and found only different bookmark ideas. Given that many of our club members use e-readers, bookmarks seemed out-of-date. So, I decided to make an ornament with book cover images of the books we read January thru December.”

To start the project, Carrie cut a block of wood into cubes using her miter saw. “For about $15, I got a nice 3’ x 2.5” piece of wood that enabled me to cut out 12 cubes. After cutting the wood, she sanded the wood using sandpaper to smooth out the edges.

Once the blocks were finished, Carrie went online to get the images of the books. Initially, she tried to print the images on her desktop printer; but was unhappy with the results. Given she knew I was in the label business, she asked me to print labels for her.

After listening to her requirements, I suggested she create a 4” x 8” PDF containing the highest resolution book cover page images she could find. I suggested 4” x 8” size as I had this size available in a glossy paper label making it easy to print.

4″ x 8″ PDF With Images

It would have been easier if we would have created individual smaller labels printing one at a time; but you would need to have the correct sized images and labels to make this work correctly.

I printed 12 labels, each containing the set of images representing each of the books read during the year.

4″ x 8″ Gloss Paper Label

Carrie then cut the individual image labels and applied them to the blocks including a special message on the bottom.

Then, she coated the block with an acrylic sealer to protect and give it a shine.

Finally, she drilled a small hole in the top, added gorilla glue in the hole, and forced the knot on the string holding the loop/bow into the hole. And Voila, Carrie has produced a beautiful holiday ornament for her club!

Hand Made Commemorative Using Labels

According to Carrie, “I got great feedback from our book club members. In fact, my girlfriend said she wanted one every year! I think the size of the block and book images were just perfect; not too big or small.”

Hand Made Commemorative Using Labels

After completing the project, Carrie says, “Pictures would be a good idea as well; your kids, grandchildren, etc. to commemorate any event. The labels with the images made it easy to do!”

Carrie is crafty and creative; and a great neighbor. And using Carrie’s idea, you can turn the labels printers in your plant or office into your own personal handy-craft tool; a “Fun with Labels” opportunity.

Guy Mikel

855-962-7670

info@colorlabelsolutions.com