With lifestyles becoming more hectic, consumers are increasingly choosing packaged foods and beverages. The US packaged foods and beverages market size is expected to grow from an estimated $1.03 trillion in 2021 at a CAGR of 4.8% from 2022 to 2030.
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Labels play a key role in this industry, helping products to stand out on shelves and providing important details for consumers to make informed decisions. The trickiest packaging is for bottles, as their surface is rounded. Even after you’ve selected high-quality labels and the right adhesives, you may face some issues. So, here are some common bottle labelling issues and ways to overcome them.
Label Flag
There are several problems that can lead to flagging. One of them is paper fiber memory.
Paper fibers can retrain the shape of the label stack, also known as
memory. Hitting the labels with a rubber mallet will break the memory of
the paper fibber, making it easier for the label to wrap on the contour of
the bottle. This process will help reduce the potential for flagging.
Edge Curl
Label edge curl is when one or more of the edges lift or curls back. This can be caused by the direction of the paper grain. You can confirm the paper grain by wetting the label.
A paper that curls top to bottom will be easier to work with.
Paper grain going in the opposite direction could cause flagging and edge curl.
Wrinkles and Blisters
You may have followed the complete application process very carefully only to realize there are bubbles or wrinkles. The reason for this can be as simple as dirt or grease on the surface of the bottle, which prevents the adhesive from bonding properly. So, ensure the surface is clean and dry before applying the labels.
Products with rounded surfaces like jars or bottles are more prone to wrinkles or blisters. Havin a bottle wash station to rinse any content from the surface of the bottle is ideal for proper labelling. Directed air is applied to remove surface condensation or residual moister.
Image Source: https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/market-report/global-label-adhesive-market/66078/
Glue Smearing
The adhesive smearing on bottles or labels may be a result of too much adhesive, protect yourself from such circumstances by ensuring the adequate amount of adhesive is applied to the label with controlled compression.
The right label and label application enhances the appearance of your product, making it an important branding and marketing tool. They can also help differentiate your product, helping you stay ahead of competition.
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