In today’s world, sustainability has become more important than ever before. Businesses are increasingly looking for ways to reduce their environmental impact and contribute to a more sustainable future as well as meet several environmental initiatives such as the European Union directive 94/62/EC.
One way they can do this is by adopting linerless labelling, a technology that benefits both businesses and the environment.
Linerless labels eliminate the need for a backing paper or liner, creating an innovative, more eco-friendly solution. By removing the liner, linerless labels reduce waste and landfill use, while also lowering the carbon footprint of the packaging process.
Linerless labelling also offers significant advantages for businesses. It can lead to cost savings, increased efficiency and productivity, as well as enhanced brand image and customer appeal. A report from Unilever found that a third of consumers are now choosing to purchase from brands that they believe are doing environmental and social good. As such, businesses are now turning to linerless labelling to improve sustainability and their bottom-line.
Linerless labels are ideal for labelling packages, boxes, and pallets. They can be easily printed on-demand, don’t produce any waste, making them an affordable and accessible labelling solution.
Another benefit of linerless labels in a warehouse environment is their versatility. They can be used in a wide range of applications, including shipping and receiving, inventory management, pick and pack operations, asset tracking, and labelling hazardous materials. Their ability to be cut to any length and their customisable nature make them an ideal labelling solution for various warehouse and logistics applications.
By eliminating the need for backing paper, businesses can reduce material and storage costs, as well as shipping and transportation costs due to the reduced weight of the labels. Linerless labels can be printed in larger quantities, leading to bulk discounts and further cost savings.
The back paper from traditional labels is discarded after use and often creates a potential trip hazard trailing on the warehouse floor. In contrast, linerless labels eliminate this hazard entirely. Because there is no backing material to dispose of, there is no risk of discarded labels causing slips, trips, or falls in the workplace.
Going linerless can also lead to increased efficiency and productivity in the labelling process. Without the need for a liner, businesses can reduce the time and labour required for label application and increase the speed of the labelling process. This means that the labels can be printed, cut, and applied in one swift motion, without any waste material to move and clean up afterwards. In a warehouse setting, where time is of the essence and efficiency is key, this can make a significant difference in terms of productivity and overall output.
With traditional labels, the backing paper or liner adds significantly to the amount of storage required. However, with linerless labels, more labels can fit on a single roll allowing businesses to store more labels in the same amount of space, leading to increased storage efficiency and cost savings.
By adopting sustainable packaging solutions such as linerless labelling, businesses can enhance their brand image and appeal to customers who value sustainability. This can lead to increased brand loyalty and customer retention, as well as attract new customers who are seeking environmentally friendly products.
The first main consideration is compatibility, not all label printers are designed to handle linerless labels, so it’s important to check with your printer manufacturer or supplier. A popular choice is The Zebra ZD621 with its optional linerless configurations that eliminate waste and deliver more labels per roll for fewer roll changes
Linerless labels also rely on a strong adhesive to stay in place. It’s important to choose a label with an adhesive that is appropriate for the application and the surface it will be applied to.
When using linerless labels, cleaning and maintenance are crucial to ensuring proper performance and avoiding residue buildup on the printhead. Using the correct printer settings can also help minimise this. The correct print speed, darkness, and other settings must be configured for the labels being used.
Cost is another important consideration. While linerless labels can be a cost-effective solution in terms of reduced waste and increased efficiency, it’s important to carefully consider current hardware capability and label requirements to understand the total cost of ownership.
If you are looking to take the next steps into the world of linerless labelling or just looking for advice, we can offer comprehensive label audits and managed services to help streamline your print operations and optimise your label usage.
Our team of label and print experts have extensive experience working with some of the largest warehouse and logistics companies in the UK. We will work closely with you to evaluate your current label printing requirements and identify opportunities to optimise your operations by enhancing efficiency, minimising waste, and reducing costs.
Speak to our expert team to learn how we can help.
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