Labels

Manufacturers discuss emerging markets and value-added applications. Spurred by the introduction of laser printers in the 1980s, laser labels continue to be a profitable product for distributors, with new applications and processes spawned regularly to meet end-users' demands. "Lasers are pretty hot right now," noted Melinda Fulton, marketing manager at Continental Datalabel, Elgin, Ill. As pin-fed labels have faded from their former preeminence, laser and thermal labels have taken over. Mike Evans, marketing service manager for Lancer Label, Omaha, Neb., a PrintXcel company, said that he has seen steady growth in stock laser label sales over the past three years. John Strecker, vice

In a world where technology takes precedence, labels continue to reinvent themselves and thrive. The BFL&S 2003 Top 100 Distributors' survey reported that label sales rose to $247 million from $218 million in 2002—a 13.3 percent increase—and the Top 10 sold $149 million in labels and tags that year. What does this all mean for the labels industry? Suffice it to say that labels are a force to be reckoned with. In an effort to find out just what gives labels their staying power, two executives provided some much-needed insight into the profitable world of labeling. "Labels will always have a niche

From thermal-transfer applications to value-added designs, tags are hanging on in changing times. From price tags to parking tickets, opportunities abound for the alert distributor in the arena of tags and tickets. Although basic products are still available, manufacturers report growth markets in specific categories, such as thermal-transfer tags and more durable products. "We've seen growth mostly in thermal-transfer tags, such as those pre-printed with the customer's logo for end-user variable imaging," said Dale Jacoby, Badger Tag & Label, Random Lake, Wis. Although Jacoby noted that the company has seen some drop in sales that was not anticipated, he said that Badger's sales

Successful silkscreened label projects start with the order taking process. Silkscreened labels have proven to be a distributor favorite throughout the years. The roles that distributors play in the production of these high-quality labels are many, and remain increasingly important when it comes to creating a product that customers will be pleased with. According to Bruce Turner, purchasing manager for Adcraft Decals, Independence, Ohio, "The role of the distributor in the processing of an order is crucial. It is important that every detail is attended to so that the customer's wishes are met," he explained Barry Smith, director of sales for Tapecon, Buffalo,

No-ooze adhesives have made laser labels more appealing to customers. In the past, one of the biggest concerns associated with laser labels was whether or not they were going to cause problems when run through laser printers. "Years ago, when people first started trying to run the labels through some of their laser and inkjet equipment, especially the laser equipment, the heat tended to soften the adhesive which would then migrate out around the edge of label and gum up the internal components in the laser creating quite a mess," said Mark Lemberger, president of Western States Envelope and Label, Butler, Wis. "There's

In-house decisions regarding thermal labels are application-driven. With enhancements to thermal response, environmental barriers and raw stock precoats, IBM is taking thermal coatings into markets that have been limited to other archival media," said Gary Lorgan, business line executive for supplies. That's not the only innovative move IBM Printing Systems is making these days, however. They have recently licensed Nashua Corporation, Nashua, N.H., to manufacture and distribute IBM Brand Thermal Labels throughout North America. "Nashua supports IBM Brand Thermal labels for printhead life and application integrity," said Lorgan. Upholding IBM's application integrity is no small feat. When it comes to converting thermal labels, IBM

Labels hold their own as widespread applications become the norm and technology takes them in a new direction. From their inception dating back to the 1700s, labels continue to hold their own in today's technology-driven society. These necessary business tools carry weight with bar-coded and other quick-run designs, and are used on everything from shampoo bottles to heavy equipment. In terms of distributor sales in 2002, labels accounted for $218 million—a comfortable 10.1 percent of total market dollars, according to the BFL&S Top Distributor report of 2002. In an attempt to find out just what keeps this booming industry booming, four executives provided

Distributors experience priceless benefits by offering two products as one. Although Form/Label combinations may not make up a large percentage of business for most distributors and manufacturers—some reporting total annual sales of 2 percent or less for these products—they are products that make sense to provide and promote. After all, the applications for form/label combinations are limitless, and the benefits; priceless. For instance, John Strecker, vice president of sales and marketing for Data Label, Terre Haute, Ind., said that some of the specific uses for form/label combinations include packing lists, order forms, invoices, statements, service reminders, returned goods forms, patient information forms, laboratory forms,

With multiple applications in numerous industries, laser labels add profits and versatility to distributors' portfolios. Laser labels are everywhere. In fact, right now most people are probably surrounded by them. Whether working in an office, a retail store or a manufacturing plant, laser labels are used, and often in multiple applications. But for distributors who have overlooked adding these potentially high-profit items to their product mix, it is not too late. Opportunities for laser labels can be broken down into two distinct areas: mailing and office-use labels and bar-coded labels. However, for distributors trying to determine which area to break into first, Steve Brocker,

No matter where it will be used, there is a bar-coded product right for the job. Ever heard the one about four people named Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and Nobody? Well, there was an important job to be done and Everybody was sure that Somebody would do it. Anybody could have done it, but Nobody did. Bar codes are a lot like that. At one time bar codes were strictly the province of the very largest retailers. Today, they have become so woven into the fabric of daily life that most people hardly even notice them. So why do so few distributors actually offer them?