Linerless labels – i.e., labels produced without a backing or liner which adhere to themselves – have been around for years. Lately, though, they’ve become increasingly popular as businesses that utilize labels seek to streamline costs and increase efficiency.
Are they right for your business? This article will examine them in detail and highlight the benefits and costs.
First, the basics. As stated earlier, linerless labels are just that—labels without liners. Each silicone-coated label is specially treated so that it easily peels off the surface of the label beneath it while securely adhering to the surface it’s intended to stick to.
Linerless labels offer several notable advantages over traditional lined adhesive labels:
- More labels per roll: Liners take up physical space on label rolls; without them, you can fit twice as many labels on a roll.
- Less storage space needed: In turn, you’ll only need half as much storage space for linerless label rolls, which can help cut operational costs.
- Less downtime: Fewer rolls being run through your production line means you’ll drastically cut downtime associated with changing out label rolls.
- Operational cost savings: Costs associated with waste disposal and janitorial service can be reduced, since there are no discarded liners that need to be swept off the production floor and discarded.
- Improved safety: Silicone-based peel-and-stick liners are slippery and often end up on the production floor, creating a safety hazard. Remove the liners and you’ve eliminated a source of slip-and-fall accidents.
- Environmental stewardship: It’s estimated that each year nearly 370,000 tons of label liners are placed in U.S. landfills. These liners can’t be recycled, so by eliminating them from your production, you’re eliminating needless waste.
That said, there are costs to consider as well. First and foremost, there’s expense involved in utilizing linerless labels. They tend to cost as much as traditional peel-and-stick labels—sometimes even more. While we explained the significant potential cost savings of linerless labels, the initial up-front cost must be factored into your decision-making process.
Additionally, special equipment is needed to roll linerless labels over a silicone roller. This too could represent a significant up-front expense, either to purchase or lease such equipment.
Finally, linerless labels are only available in limited shapes—namely, squares and rectangles. For applications where die-cutting is necessary, it can be a challenge to hold the label securely in place.
Ultimately, the choice to utilize linerless labels is one that you must consider in the context of its business and operational goals. At OMNI Systems, we believe strongly in the benefits of linerless labels, and we’ve helped leading companies in many industries successfully use them to boost efficiency and save money. We hope this blog helps you to better understand linerless labels and their application in various industries. As the thermal label industry leaders in price, quality and service, we can work closely with you to better understand how linerless labels can work for you.
Do you have questions about direct thermal labels, thermal transfer labels, water-activated tape or other labeling needs? Please contact David Irwin, Vice President of Business Development, at 216-377-5169 or email David.
