Media
Materials
The function and abilities of a printed label are made by a combination
of up to 5 materials. The materials listed here are used on TEC's printers
throughout the world.
1. Receiving Paper
(1) Thermal Paper (Direct
thermal Paper)
- Low / Middle Sensitive Thermal Paper
Bar codes printed on this paper can be read after container transportation.
The paper can withstand warming in a microwave for 1 minute.
- High Sensitive Thermal Paper
This paper is used for printing at higher speeds (above 3 inches per
second)
- UV proof Thermal Paper
This paper can resist direct sunlight for a certain term.
- Synthetic Thermal Paper
This material is Water-proof.
(2) Paper (made from natural pulp)
- Vellum
General use for low cost applications.
- Matt Coated Paper
General use including applications that require small letters and/or
symbols.
- Glossy Coated Paper
Used where a High-grade finish is required.
(3) Plastic film
- Synthetic Film ( Polypropylene, etc. )
This material is water-proof and solvent resistant, has high physical
strength and low temperature resistance, but low heat resistance. (
Dependant upon material ) This material can be used for labels stuck
to a recyclable containers, then it can be recycled in the same process.
- PET Film
This material is water-proof and solvent resistant, has high physical
strength, and low temperature resistance as well as heat resistance.
This material is used for many applications especially where high durability
is required. Model/serial plate labels, caution labels, etc.
- Polyimide
This material gives the best performance on heat resistance. (greater
than PET Film) It is often used for PCB labels as it can withstand passage
through a solder bath.
(4) Others
- Clean Paper
This is a processed paper that emits very little paper dust.
This paper can be used in a clean room and operating theatres of a hospital.
- Tamper proof Label
This label is normally destroyed or will mark itself when it is peeled
or removed, so that it provides evidence of tampering.
- RF Tag Label
This label has a RF Tag (Radio Frequency) built into it.
The RF Tag can carry data that is re-writeable, invisible and readable
even if it's dirty, however the data on the tag is not human readable.
By combining a RF Tag with a label, the RF Tag will have functions of
visible indication and easy application.
2. Glue
(1) for permanent adhesion
- Strong Glue : General use
- Super Strong Glue : General use for rough surfaces
- Low Temperature Glue : for frozen environment
- High Temperature Glue : for heat resistance labels
(2) Temporary adhesion
- Weak Glue :
The label will be removable but a little glue may remain on the peeled
surface.
- Removable Glue :
The label can be removed and little or no glue will remain on the peeled
surface.
3.
Ribbon
(1) Vellum Wax Ribbon
- This ribbon is mainly used for Vellum Papers and Labels. It has a
very high ink density to cope with the uneven printing surface.
(2) Standard Wax Ribbon
- Good matching with Coated papers ( Matt coat and Glossy coat ).
(3) Smear-less ribbon ( Wax-resin ribbon )
- Good matching for the coated papers. The printed image will resist
water and light rubbing.
(4) Scratch / Solvent Resistance Ribbon ( Resin
ribbon )
- Very good matching for the Plastic films ( Synthetic papers, PET,
Polyimide, etc. ).
- Scratch and Solvent resistance.
- Heat resistance with PET and Polyimide.
4. Backing Paper (Liner)
(1) Economy Backing Paper
(2) Strength Backing Paper : Glassine paper.
This type of
backing paper is required in self-strip issue mode, because of the pulling
force required to strip the label from the backing paper.
(3) High-grade Backing Paper : Transparent Plastic
film
This
kind of backing paper gives a high-grade image to the label that remains
on the backing paper.
(4) Others
Depends on handling,
perforation in gaps ( easy tearing ).
5. Laminator
By laminating
a printed label, the best resistance against water, solvent, scratch,
and smear is achieved. When a label is laminated, resin ribbon is not
required for printing the label. If UV cut laminator film is used, very
good resistance to direct sunlight is achieved.
Examples
1. Polyimide ( or PET ) + High Temperature
Glue + Resin Ribbon
(1) Bar code labels for
steel girders.
A bar code label is applied to the girders at the beginning of the manufacturing
process. After shipping it is assembled into a building in a position
where the label is accessible after construction.
The bar code label is then used for maintenance purposes.
Reason for using this combination
Polyimide labels sheds paint, so that the bar code is still readable
even after passing through the painting process. By using a resin ribbon,
the printed image is not broken down by the heat in the paint curing
process.
Polyimide labels do not change the size even after passing through the
heat process, so that there is no gap in the boundary between the label
and paint layer.
Therefore using this label throughout all these processes there will
not be a problem with rust-proofing.
(2)Other Examples for this combination
- Brake pad manufacturing
- PCB manufacturing
- Solar Cell manufacturing
- Etc.
2. Polypropylene + Strong Glue + Resin Ribbon
(1) Recyclable container and a label of the
same material
Polypropylene is used in the manufacture of recyclable containers. This
material is crushed to recycle it and the vessel can be crushed with
the label because they are the same material. If the label is a different
material, the label would have to be peel off before the recycle process.
(2) Another way to recycling.
- To use a glue that is soluble in a washing solution.
( peel away during the washing process )
- To use a glue and paper that can be soluble in a washing material.
( dissolve in the washing process )
- Etc.
3. Polypropylene Film + Low temperature Glue
Labels for Frozen Food.
The Glue does not lose its adhesive properties in the freezing temperature.
The polypropylene label is waterproof material and withstands the low
temperature environment.
4. Thermal Label + Removal
Glue.
Bar Code Labels for building materials ( for interior decoration
).
The Bar code label is used only in manufacturing and it is removed before
the shipping. As the item is for interior decoration, any dirt sticking
to the product cannot be allowed. Therefore, removable glue is used.
The time from the introduction of the label to the finishing process
is about one week.
5. Transparent PET Film + Strong Glue + Normal Wax Ribbon + UV Cut
Laminator.
Model Plate on outdoor equipment (e.g. Air-conditioner ).
The Laminate film gives durability to the label including sunlight resistance.
