Paper Rests its Case
February 2001
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Suppliers report on the most sought-after paper materials, and the high-profile, high-demand label jobs they're landing.
By Jessica Millward, Associate Editor
Though it is the big daddy of label production substrates, paper's capacity for surprises is sometimes overlooked. Films and foils may generate more headlines, but, as the development of smart labels alone illustrates (see below), paper materials certainly have a few tricks up the sleeve.
Case #1: Disappearing act
Avery Dennison, through its Fasson Roll North America division, set out to construct a label specifically meant not to last. Business Manager, Specialty Division John Mehrige says the company recognized the virtue in combining its dissolvable paper with the Fasson-brand dissolvable adhesive, S2600, to form a fully dissolvable label.
The new construction is primarily used for food rotational labeling. Fresh food is prepared and put in a container. The dissolvable paper label, with an expiration date or other variable information, is then applied to the containers. When the containers are put through dish washing machines, or under a faucet, the label dissolves and disperses within 30 seconds or less. An additional benefit is the label's ability to dissolve in water of any temperature.
Mehrige reports converters have found no difficulties in promoting the dissolvable labels to customers. "Because the product dissolves, there is no build-up of sticky adhesive and label residue. This reduces the chances of capturing bacteria, and shortens clean-up time."
Case #2: OTC-optimum
Addressing the specific application and printing concerns of pharmaceutical products, FLEXcon designed its PHARMcal® paper to meet requirements of ethical and over-the-counter (OTC) labels.
As Scott Dalton, marketing communications manager, points out, one of the biggest advantages of a PHARMcal label comes with the liner. "The polyester release liner allows operators to convert, print, and dispense the labels at high speeds," he affirms. This speed capacity occurs, in part, because the durable polyester liner reduces the possibility of web breaks, especially when compared to paper liners. When backed with a permanent, solvent-based acrylic adhesive, Dalton maintains PHARMcal paper efficiently bonds to low-energy and textured surfaces, such as the plastic medication bottles favored by the OTC market.
The high smoothness of the paper also enables clear printing of the extremely fine text that accompanies medications, vitamins, etc. Dalton notes, "This has proven to be a critical consideration for medical applications, which require a high degree of readability."
Case #3: Laser-friendly
When a health insurance company found itself unable to provide durable, paper-based insurance cards to its customers, it began to experiment with BOPP, vinyl, and numerous other synthetic substrates. Unfortunately, these materials did not master the requisite laser-print quality, or provide adequate tear resistance.
By Jessica Millward, Associate Editor
Though it is the big daddy of label production substrates, paper's capacity for surprises is sometimes overlooked. Films and foils may generate more headlines, but, as the development of smart labels alone illustrates (see below), paper materials certainly have a few tricks up the sleeve.
Case #1: Disappearing act
Avery Dennison, through its Fasson Roll North America division, set out to construct a label specifically meant not to last. Business Manager, Specialty Division John Mehrige says the company recognized the virtue in combining its dissolvable paper with the Fasson-brand dissolvable adhesive, S2600, to form a fully dissolvable label.
The new construction is primarily used for food rotational labeling. Fresh food is prepared and put in a container. The dissolvable paper label, with an expiration date or other variable information, is then applied to the containers. When the containers are put through dish washing machines, or under a faucet, the label dissolves and disperses within 30 seconds or less. An additional benefit is the label's ability to dissolve in water of any temperature.
Mehrige reports converters have found no difficulties in promoting the dissolvable labels to customers. "Because the product dissolves, there is no build-up of sticky adhesive and label residue. This reduces the chances of capturing bacteria, and shortens clean-up time."
Case #2: OTC-optimum
Addressing the specific application and printing concerns of pharmaceutical products, FLEXcon designed its PHARMcal® paper to meet requirements of ethical and over-the-counter (OTC) labels.
As Scott Dalton, marketing communications manager, points out, one of the biggest advantages of a PHARMcal label comes with the liner. "The polyester release liner allows operators to convert, print, and dispense the labels at high speeds," he affirms. This speed capacity occurs, in part, because the durable polyester liner reduces the possibility of web breaks, especially when compared to paper liners. When backed with a permanent, solvent-based acrylic adhesive, Dalton maintains PHARMcal paper efficiently bonds to low-energy and textured surfaces, such as the plastic medication bottles favored by the OTC market.
The high smoothness of the paper also enables clear printing of the extremely fine text that accompanies medications, vitamins, etc. Dalton notes, "This has proven to be a critical consideration for medical applications, which require a high degree of readability."
Case #3: Laser-friendly
When a health insurance company found itself unable to provide durable, paper-based insurance cards to its customers, it began to experiment with BOPP, vinyl, and numerous other synthetic substrates. Unfortunately, these materials did not master the requisite laser-print quality, or provide adequate tear resistance.
Companies Mentioned:
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