If you've chosen pressure-sensitive labels for your beer bottles then you already know these will be easy to apply. Just remove the liner and stick the label to the bottle, right? Easy enough, but what about when you have hundreds or even thousands of bottles to label? And you want them on straight?

If you want to increase your pack line productivity and ensure accurate labeling you should invest in some form of labeling automation.

Here is a list of three different automatic labeling systems perfect for the beer industry.

 

1. Bottle-Matic

If you're working on small batch bottling you probably only need a semi-automatic table top labeler. The table-top Bottle-matic is affordable and compact. Our Labeling Systems Product manager, Mike Soloway, put together a video demo to show you how easy this system is for craft beer labeling. With some practice, you can label up to 20-30 bottles a minute. And the labels are applied flat and straight every time.

 

 2. Geset 121 

The next step up for microbrewers is the Geset 121 label applicator.  This system is ideal for labeling bottles and other round, straight-walled containers. This system would be a great addition to a pack line where you connect directly to the conveyor from the filling line. If you aren't totally automated yet but still need to apply lots of labels quickly, you can hand-load this labeler by sending the bottle in one end and having your helper grab it as it exits the other side. A small, movable labeling system that can label up to 25-30 bottles per minute.

 

3. Tronics Series 3

The largest bottle labeling system we offer is the Tronics Series 3. This wrap system can wrap a single label or more complex labeling like front, back and neck. This system is a great fit for operations that are 100% automated and have a very high volume out put. The Tronics can handle up to 2400 inches of labels per minute and the built-in conveyor easily integrates into your packaging operation.

Not sure which labeling system is the right fit for your operation? Talk to one of our labeling systems experts about your options.

 

In honor of Earth Day, we'd like to share a part of our business and the packaging industry that we feel quite passionate about.

Sustainable packaging and manufacturing is no longer seen as a trend but as a requirement for many businesses. A recent study by DuPont revealed that in 10 years sustainable packaging will be a number one priority for companies over cost.

At Weber we have made several changes around our plant in the last couple of years to make our facility greener, our manufacturing process more sustainable, and have sought out a product line that meets the environmental requirements of our customers.

The biggest impact we've made is in our label manufacturing process.

 

Green Label Manufacturing

There is a lot of waste involved in printing labels, from the set-up label material generated during the printing set up process to the scrap trim material that's thrown out in the end. The biggest progress the print industry has made in sustainability is the re-purposing of label production scrap for fuel pellets.

In 2012 Weber started collecting this paper waste for Pellet America, a recycling company, to turn into fuel pellets. These fuel pellets are then burned at electrical generation plants. They are a cleaner source of fuel than coal and less costly, especially to the environment. This has been a huge success as we have kept 99% of our waste out of the landfills.

 

Sustainable Label Material Options

Thin Material

Thin label materials use less raw materials but still have the same packaging effect as thicker ones. Less material also means less packaging materials and lighter containers for shipping. Additionally, you're getting more labels per roll so you won't have down time from switching rolls on your label application equipment.

Using a thinner label material is both a green option and a more efficient option for your labeling process.

Labels That Wash Off

Not all labels are recycle-friendly. The plastic clamshell or bottle that you use is probably recyclable, but once a label is applied to it, the container may be spoiled. This doesn't mean it can't be recycled, it just means the plastic that is recovered will not meet the standards of food grade packaging. If a label can be easily washed off of a food package, then the plastic can be recycled for food packaging again. If the label doesn't wash off cleanly, residue from the label degrades the plastic and it cannot be used for food packaging.

Select a material that has met the standards of the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers (APR). These labels have been tested and cleanly wash off the plastic material in the recycling process leaving the plastic pure enough to be used again.

 

Post Consumer Waste Materials

This material option is meant for packaging that does not get recycled. If the container is meant to be composted, this label material will break down in a land fill along with the container. This material cannot be recycled so make sure if you select this type of material that you also select a container that is compostable and that your consumers know this.

 

If you're looking for more information on Earth Day tips, check out this blog post or contact a Weber Green Label Expert to talk about sustainable labeling options for your product.

 

 

 

 

One of our favorite label materials for prime packaging is film. The material is either clear or translucent and is available on paper or film liners. It's very popular in the personal care, spirits, and food & beverage markets because of its durability, flexibility and design capabilities. This material type also can be used to achieve the "no-label look" for your packaging.

Reasons to Love Film Labels

Modern Packaging

Film label packaging is a modern way to label your bottle, box or bag.

Using a clear film like, Weber's FlexClear Gloss, expands design possibilities because you are not limited to a die-cut shape. The Eden wine label to the right shows this beautifully. In order to achieve this design with a paper label you would need to use a very complicated die or color match to the bottle. The dramatic pop of the white tree also would be lost.

Film materials that aren't clear, like our FlexLyte, are a great choice for opaque bottles like lotions and cleaning products. The design stands out and the material is durable enough to handle the harsh environments of those products.

 

Durable and Flexible

Film materials by nature are durable and flexible. They outperform paper label materials when it comes to curved or squeezable containers because of their plastic make up. They are also moisture resistant so the label artwork is protected during refrigeration or in wet environments like showers and bathrooms.

 

Fresh Look for Food & Beverage

Clear labels are popular with food and beverage packaging. If you want to convey fresh food, you want the consumer to be able to see the product as much as possible. For example, if you're selling strawberries in a clamshell container, adding a clear film label allows for more of the product to be seen and at the same time uses the bright red of the fruit to be a part of the packaging design. 

It also works great for plastic or glass juice bottles. The colorful juice becomes the focus of the consumer.

Be sure to look into to the world of film labels for your next labeling project. Whether clear or opaque, film labels are a durable way of showcasing your product with an eye-catching label that will set you out from the crowd.

 

Want samples of film pressure-sensitive labels? Contact us below!

 

Ever wonder how labels get made?

Watch our quick video for a behind-the-scenes view of the Weber label manufacturing. 

We take great pride in helping our customers get the right label for their product, from blank labels for cartons to high-quality custom color labels on exotic materials. Our experts can guide you all along the way and help you get the best pricing for your project. 

 

 

Contact us today to get samples of Weber's high-quality, precision-printed pressure-sensitive labels that are designed to elevate the visual appeal of your products. With our extensive range of label options, from vibrant custom colors to durable materials, we can help you enhance the overall branding and packaging of your products.

By requesting samples, you'll have the opportunity to see firsthand the exceptional quality and attention to detail that goes into each and every label we produce. Our team of experts is dedicated to ensuring that you receive labels that perfectly match your product's specifications and meet your branding objectives.

In addition to receiving samples, we also offer a complimentary quote for your label project. Our experienced professionals will work closely with you to understand your requirements and provide you with the most competitive pricing options. 

Don't miss out on the chance to experience the difference that Weber labels can make for your business. Contact us today to request your samples and discover the possibilities for your packaging and branding needs.

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Hot sauce is quickly becoming one of America's favorite condiments. In fact, its popularity has grown 150% since 2000. This means there's more demand than ever for the best hot sauce.

Beyond big brands like Tabasco and Cholula there are thousands of small businesses making delicious sauces for grocery stores, farmers' markets and novelty gift shops. Because there is so much competition among these small brands, the label is often the deciding factor in the purchasing process.

Here's what you can do to make your hot sauce stick out

Consider the 2' x 2' space on the grocer's shelf your brand's billboard. Your label should communicate a couple of things:

Always share the details the customer needs to know:

• Varieties of heat, usually on some type of scale
• Taste and flavor of your sauce - sometimes denoted by region (Texas, Cajun, etc.)
• Type of peppers used

Show your brand's originality:

• Bright colors, eye-catching graphics and memorable names often distinguish what would be considered a collectible as a opposed to run of the mill brand name sauces.
  
  
• Whimsical descriptions, parody names, even bottle design or add-on gimmicks provide that little extra to make one product stand out from the other.

Like wines and craft beers, sometimes the visual appeal of the label and bottle sell the product, not just what's inside. So when your hot sauce bottle is viewed as a piece of art in a sea of bland packaging, the consumer's eye will be drawn in.

Don't forget that the type of material matters too!

Keep in mind where and how your product will be used. Dripping sauce and sticky fingers are common problems your label will need to withstand. To protect the artwork and quality, make sure you use a laminate over the paper label or even select a film label.

And with the HP Indigo Digital press you can have your entire line of sauce labels printed at low order minimums. This will give you the flexibility to experiment with new blends or even create special event or limited time offers without breaking the bank.

See our sauces page for more tips or contact an expert below.

 

The craft beer market is booming! With more competition on the store shelves, brewers need to utilize their labels as a power marketing tool more than ever.

One of the best ways to do this is with eye-catching pressure-sensitive labels. We've put together 4 reasons why pressure-sensitive labels are best.

But first, what is a pressure-sensitive label?

Pressure-sensitive labels are like stickers. They are made up of 3 parts: face stock, adhesive and liner. Normally these are created by the roll but can also be printed by the sheet. Traditionally the beer industry has used sheeted cut and stack labels. These labels are pre-printed on paper and then glue is applied to the label and bottle during the application process. 

 

Why Pressure-Sensitive Labels for Craft Beer Labels

The Digital Edge

The HP Indigo digital label press can print beautiful high-end labels. This printing method also requires less set up time than traditional printing allowing you to start at a much lower minimum order quantity. This is perfect for seasonal craft beer, small batch brewing or personalized event themed labels.

The standard order minimum for labels printed on the digital press is just 500. This gives the brewer flexibility to order only the amount they need and not hold on to a lot of label inventory. And it gives you the freedom to try new flavors because the initial expense is so low.

Unique Shapes

Pressure-sensitive label are die cut into the size and shape you want for your bottle. In addition to the hundreds of die sizes there are already available, you can be creative with your bottle design and order a unique, one-of-a-kind shape. Plus, if your labels are printed digitally there is no extra cost for a die.

 

Durable Materials

Cut and stack labels come in paper only. If you want a label that will perform well in a wet environment like an ice bucket or cooler, then a pressure-sensitive label is the best option. They won't dissolve or come loose in water.

Pressure-sensitive labels also have the ability to add laminates or varnishes to protect the label artwork or give it a special texture.

You can also choose a clear film label material which isn't an option with paper glue labels. This allows you to create see-through labels or unique shapes that seem to float on the bottle. This is a popular effect on many high-end vodka products.

 

Labeling Equipment

Pressure-sensitive labeling is a clean efficient process. Label applicators range from simple inexpensive table-top wrap systems, to a wrap system with a conveyor to a labeler that can apply multiple labels per bottle. These bottle labeler are automated systems that remove the label from its liner and apply it to the bottle. Depending on the size of your typical bottling run, there is a label applicator perfect for you that will apply your labels efficiently, quickly, and even get them on straight!

 

 

Remember, you have options when choosing your craft beer label material. But we think craft beer labeling using pressure-sensitive labels is the best way to showcase your brand.

Weber has decades of experience printing labels for the beverage industry. Let us show you how we can make your craft beer stand out from the crowd with a great looking pressure-sensitive label.