Tried and True

Piggybacks pave the way for new solutions

By Stacey Wenzel

Technology is demanding change in every area of the industry, and the piggyback label is no exception. Computers and printers are rapidly advancing, requiring the development of new label constructions to meet changing end-user needs--and manufacturers are answering this challenge with innovative solutions.

Garland, Texas-based Metro Label recently started manufacturing a thermal-transfer piggyback label. According to John Abbott, vice president of sales and marketing, the construction uses a clear, self-laminated film as the middle ply, which is useful in abrasive situations. For instance, if a scanner in a shipping and receiving department is frequently coming in direct contact with a label, the laminate provides the durability needed to protect the bar code or graphic on the label from becoming damaged or wearing out.

Abbott noted that a greater variety of films are now available with piggyback label construction. "There are polyester, glosses and more foils being used," he said. "It used to be a simple paper-on-paper construction." He noted that the appearance of the label is the main reason for this trend, particularly for direct mail applications.

Chicago-based Chicago Tag & Label uses an opaque adhesive as the bottom layer of its piggyback label. "Sometimes the information under the piggyback label is just as important as the label information itself," said Michelle England, marketing manager. "This adhesive conceals the information under the label until the label is removed."

While unique new piggyback label features are finding their niche arenas, opportunities for alternative solutions to the piggyback label are quickly emerging.