Colour change Laser Marks Backless Labels

The European Packaging and Waste Directives have put pressure on label producers to reduce the amount of paper waste they create.

The European Packaging and Waste Directives have put pressure on label producers to reduce the amount of paper waste they create.

In response, the Catchpoint system, a backless label that is claimed to render the wasteful backing on labels obsolete, is claimed to help reduce the 104,200 tons of waste produced a year attributed to self-adhesive label production.

And Catchpoint is also currently trialling Sherwood Technology's Datalase colour change system for marking directly on to the backless labels.

Sherwood added that one metre of self-adhesive labels produces one metre of waste silicone backing.

Catchpoint backless labels match the practicality and versatility of traditional self-adhesive labels, whilst reducing the waste.

The backless labels are stored in rolls but are prevented from sticking to each other by a silicone coating that is incorporated in to the lacquer on the non-adhesive side of the label.

They remain non-sticky until the label is peeled from the roll when it can be attached to almost any substrate, said the company.

It has been identified that the silicone coating on the backless labels is non-compatible with some traditional printing materials, such as thermal transfer ribbon.

Catchpoint has since discovered that Sherwood Technology's Datalase technique is an effective and efficient alternative for imaging on to the backless labels.

Datalase is claimed to be able to image more labels, quicker and more efficiently as it does not require the changing of consumables on the production line.

The technique also allows the user to digitally mark variable information with precision beyond traditional marking methods, thus making it possible to patch print rather than flood coat the label.

The Datalase method utilises a chemistry that reacts with a beam of low power laser light, which changes colour, thereby creating a positive image on to the coating of the label.

Its introduction has resulted in faster production run times for Catchpoint, lower overhead costs and has removed the need for expensive consumables on the production line, said Sherwood.

Rick Leivers, Tthe tchnical manager at Catchpoint, commented: "Backless labels can contribute significantly to the reduction in environmental wastage in the printing and packaging industry especially when as much as 50 per cent of a regular label ends up as waste.

We have received unprecedented interest in both Datalase and our backless labels.

By combining them, we forsee a revolutionary step forward in the way in which labels will be utilised in the future." Both products are now available as part of a licensing initiative and more information is available at Sherwood Technology's website.

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