A label printer-applicator is an automatic labeling system that has the ability to print variable information onto a pressure-sensitive label, then apply it to a container. Sometimes companies want to use a label that has the same pre-printed information such as a logo, company info, or background color, then add different information to the label depending on the product that it is being applied to. You will find these systems applying shipping labels, product information labels, nutrition labels, barcode labels and more.

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.

A few months ago we previewed our new Model 4300 Pro-Apply. Check out our national sales director, Rhett Campbell, showing the new printer applicator to the Packaging World audience.

We are excited to share with our readers that we have completed the first 4300 Pro-Apply unit and shipped it to our customer. The system was designed and built at our global headquarters in Arlington Heights, IL.

As Jessie Gonzalez (left) and Kevin Valentine (right) finished testing the applicator, I asked them some questions about the finished product.

We opened up the February 2012 issue of Packaging World magazine to find a really nice article on Howard Products’ use of a Weber labeling system and prime labels to label its line of preeminent wood care products.

The combination of our Tronics 3 system and Weber digitally-printed, pressure-sensitive labels provides Howard Products with packages that have great shelf-appeal and an updated labeling operation that will pay for itself within 18 months.

Link to our website for in-depth information on the features, benefits and specifications of the Tronics Series 3 label application system from Weber. And while you’re at it, take a look at the videos available there, as well.

Thanks to Howard Products for letting us visit its facility in Paso Robles, CA, to document the Weber system and labels in action!

Packaging pros got a pre-introduction sneak peek at our all-new Alpha Compact pressure-sensitive label applicator back in September at the big Pack Expo show in Las Vegas.

The economically-priced unit, which features a small footprint yet employs the highly-accurate wipe-on method to affix p-s labels to packages right on the production line, proved to be crowd-pleaser in our booth. And now that the Alpha Compact is ready for delivery, we just recently distributed an email blast introducing the applicator to thousands of our customers.

Wow. The response has been overwhelming, as hundreds of curious people have taken a closer look at the Alpha Compact on our website. Here are some of the features they’re reading about:

• Applies label up to 4.7” wide and 11.8” long
• Speeds along at up to 164 feet/minute
• Labels tops, bottoms or sides of packages
• Provides accurate placement to within ±0.03”

And, of course, we’re making the ruggedly constructed unit available in both right- and left-hand models.

So, if you’re interested in a cost-efficient solution to really terrific p-s labeling, take a look at the Alpha Compact wipe-on label applicator.