Pro tips to improve print and apply labeling sustainability

• From reducing label sizes to eliminating labeling errors through automation, here are ways to add labeling to your sustainability story
• Look for a print and apply labeler such as the MPERIA A-Series that lets you change labels and ribbons quickly and easily to maximize flexibility
• Matthews experts can help discover the right option for you.

In Part 1 of this report, we introduced eco-friendly labels as a way to positively impact the environment and your business. But choosing eco-friendly labels is just one step. How can you go further and create even more sustainable label printing?

In this post, we reveal how you can up the ante on sustainability by improving your label printing processes – and in some cases reduce operating expenses.

Tip #1. Reduce label material

One way to enhance sustainability is to use fewer materials. If you can’t reduce the number of labels you use due to regulatory requirements, reduce their size instead.

Smaller labels require less material and less ink. So, you can decrease the consumption of raw materials and lower the cost of labels. It’s a win-win.

How can you reduce the size of your labels? Answer these questions:

Are you using all available space on the label?

• Work out the maximum size your label needs to be to contain all the information you need while ensuring your barcodes and text are still legible.

Could you change orientation?

• You might be able to optimize your label space by changing the orientation from portrait to landscape or vice versa.
• By rotating the label format, you can achieve a narrower label roll.

Can you use 2D barcodes?

• Switching from traditional 1D barcodes to smaller 2D barcodes (such as QR codes and Data Matrix) will reduce the amount of space needed on the label.

Another way of reducing label material is to choose a thinner type of backing or label. Thinner liners, such as PET film liners, yield more labels per roll, meaning fewer roll changes and more uptime.

Pro Tip: The MPERIA A-Series automated print and apply labeler makes it easy to change label rolls and inks, so it’s easy to match the label to the application if some products can use smaller labels.

Tip #2. Reduce paper waste

Except for liner-less labels, every pressure-sensitive label comes with backing paper (liner or release paper), which protects the adhesive before the label is applied. After the labels are applied, the liner becomes waste and is typically incinerated or sent to a landfill. But you can reduce the environmental impact of liner waste.

Two easy ways to reduce paper waste:

Recycling.

One method of reducing liner waste is recycling. According to UPM Raflatac, when you recycle approximately 100 tons of paper release liner, you avoid 22 tons of CO2 emissions compared to incineration or 162 tons compared to landfill.

The release paper of standard labels is recyclable, and many companies across the United States offer recycling services. For example, UPM Raflatac offers a label liner recycling service called RafCycle. Manufacturers collect their label liner waste in the agreed-upon quantity for RafCycle to collect. The waste is then recycled to produce new resources, such as paper products or building insulation.

Liner-less labels.

Another option is to switch to liner-less labels to reduce waste. However, this isn’t always the most sustainable option, as most liner-less labels use a silicone layer, which is not recyclable or compostable.

Furthermore, the silicone backing can render the packaging non-recyclable, as it leaves behind large sticky particles made up of glue and residual silicone.

By comparison, most standard labels are recyclable because they don’t have the silicone layer.

Tip #3. Automate to reduce scrap and rework

Labeling errors contribute to high rates of waste. Imagine that a whole batch of products is labeled incorrectly. You can end up recalling, destroying, or reworking thousands of products, which is not only expensive but also unsustainable. The best way to eliminate waste from incorrectly labeled products is through with automation as detailed in our Marking Automation for the Win blog post.

Automation reduces the chance of human error. Consider this: an operator can be expected to make an average of one mistake in every 300 touches. They might select the wrong label for the wrong product or enter incorrect information in the wrong label template. If they are labeling hundreds or thousands of products, that’s a lot of potential errors.

A print controller like the MPERIA® platform can integrate with back-office systems, including ERP, WMS, and PLCs, and automate the labeling process. You can be confident that when product information has been updated in the central database, the data will synchronize to MPERIA and cascade down to the packaging line. That way, products don’t end up with the wrong information on their labels.

The controllers make it easy to manage batch, lot, 2D codes, barcodes, and more in your labeling process through an intuitive touch-screen interface, which means fewer errors.

Another way to reduce errors and waste is to regularly check and maintain your automated labeling machines. By choosing a system with tool-free maintenance, like the A-Series, you can avoid the issues caused by poorly maintained equipment.

Tip #4. Consider direct coding

Have you considered that you probably don’t need to use labels for every product or layer of packaging? While labeling can be a requirement for some major retailers or distribution centers, there are instances where direct coding offers advantages.

Advantages of direct coding.

Direct marking typically offers higher maximum printing speeds and lower printing costs, as there’s no need to buy and store ribbons and labels. Specific savings depend on many business variables and differ greatly from manufacturer to manufacturer. Take a look at these three real-life examples that illustrate when to choose direct marking over labeling for case coding the the post Direct Case Coding or Labeling?.

Go green, print smart

Stepping up your sustainability is a smart move for business growth. If you’re ready to take the next step, talk to our experts about how you can improve and automate your labeling process by filling out the contact form below.