Tailored Solutions
Gilbreth uses its years of shrink label experience to provide its customers virtually everything needed for successful implementations.
August 2007 by Tom Polischuk
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Shrink labeling is a dynamic product decoration segment that is drawing renewed interest from consumer products companies and therefore, from package printers. Shrink labeling draws the attention of consumers with its unique ability to provide 360° product decoration and encompass today’s ergonomically shaped products.
Extraordinary looking packages are incorporating shrink labels for a wide range of sizes and novel configurations. Because of the shelf appeal this labeling method can provide, shrink labeling has begun to grab attention away from other, more traditional labeling technologies. While many printers are considering or attempting entry into the shrink label market, anyone looking to get into this end of the business should understand that it requires unparalleled attention to details. Shrink sleeve suppliers distinguish themselves by remaining at the forefront of state-of-the-art prepress and printing technologies and processes. Labels covering these intricately shaped containers require novel capabilities in material selection, graphic design, printing, and converting. Shrink labeling—outside of the simplest tamper-evident bands—is not a good market for a run-of-the-mill printer.
Early adopter
One company that got into the game in the early days of shrink labeling is Gilbreth, a label printer located in Croydon, Pa. Gilbreth, founded in 1961 as an importer of tubing and chemicals, began printing shrink sleeves in the early 1980s. According to Lori Stevens, vice president of business services, the company began printing tamper bands in response to the Tylenol product-tampering scare. “We started in shrink sleeves with the development of tamper-evident bands for security purposes and moved to printing full-body sleeves,” relates Stevens. “During the 1980s, Gilbreth began supplying Duracell with battery sleeves, which became our stepping stone to grow the full-body shrink sleeve business.”
Today, the company produces heat-shrinkable film labels, full-body shrink sleeves, tamper-evident bands, glue-applied wraparound labels, neckbands, and a proprietary line of decorative shrink films. It has 80 employees at its one facility in Croydon, “all dedicated to making shrink sleeves and servicing our customers,” says Stevens.
The company operates around two distinct pressrooms, with rotogravure and flexographic presses. “Our newest rotogravure system is a 10-color Rotomec press, which came on line in April this year,” notes Stevens.
Unique customer service
Shrink labels can be found in most markets and Gilbreth services them all. Its labels can be found in food, beverage, dairy, household goods, and personal care markets.
Extraordinary looking packages are incorporating shrink labels for a wide range of sizes and novel configurations. Because of the shelf appeal this labeling method can provide, shrink labeling has begun to grab attention away from other, more traditional labeling technologies. While many printers are considering or attempting entry into the shrink label market, anyone looking to get into this end of the business should understand that it requires unparalleled attention to details. Shrink sleeve suppliers distinguish themselves by remaining at the forefront of state-of-the-art prepress and printing technologies and processes. Labels covering these intricately shaped containers require novel capabilities in material selection, graphic design, printing, and converting. Shrink labeling—outside of the simplest tamper-evident bands—is not a good market for a run-of-the-mill printer.
Early adopter
One company that got into the game in the early days of shrink labeling is Gilbreth, a label printer located in Croydon, Pa. Gilbreth, founded in 1961 as an importer of tubing and chemicals, began printing shrink sleeves in the early 1980s. According to Lori Stevens, vice president of business services, the company began printing tamper bands in response to the Tylenol product-tampering scare. “We started in shrink sleeves with the development of tamper-evident bands for security purposes and moved to printing full-body sleeves,” relates Stevens. “During the 1980s, Gilbreth began supplying Duracell with battery sleeves, which became our stepping stone to grow the full-body shrink sleeve business.”
Today, the company produces heat-shrinkable film labels, full-body shrink sleeves, tamper-evident bands, glue-applied wraparound labels, neckbands, and a proprietary line of decorative shrink films. It has 80 employees at its one facility in Croydon, “all dedicated to making shrink sleeves and servicing our customers,” says Stevens.
The company operates around two distinct pressrooms, with rotogravure and flexographic presses. “Our newest rotogravure system is a 10-color Rotomec press, which came on line in April this year,” notes Stevens.
Unique customer service
Shrink labels can be found in most markets and Gilbreth services them all. Its labels can be found in food, beverage, dairy, household goods, and personal care markets.
Companies Mentioned:
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