Catchpoint - Catchpoint, Variable Information Printing, VIP labelling, print apply

Variable Information Printing, VIP labelling or Print Apply, has been a major driver for the growth of conventional self-adhesive labels. From the simplicity of numerous models of desk top printers, to high speed weigh price labelling machines, efficiency is greater from labels delivered in a reel.

The major print method uses thermal technology with either chemi-thermal labels or transfer ribbons. The challenge for Catchpoint Labels was to match this performance by developing special materials and conversion methods with its strategic partners:

Chemi-thermal materials combined with specially developed silicone formulations allow images to develop at standard printer temperature and pressure settings with no effect on head life.
Strip coating of silicone and adhesives with special primers to accept thermal ribbon printing, ensure the shelf appeal of a label remains attractive.
The use of different release coatings on plastic film allows thermal transfer printing without strip coating.

For high speed labelling in the food industry where prices, sell by dates and bar codes are often added at the time of manufacture, Catchpoint offers many advantages over existing labels and other linerless systems:

The labels are always the same size which improves image consistency on the shelf.
With no cutting of the labels in the print and apply process, the risk of adhesive bleed and mis-tracking web alignment are removed. The system is safe.
The doubling of the number of labels in the reel reduces the frequency of reel changes, allowing longer print runs without any stops, when most downtime occurs.
Using special plastic materials can allow the printer to fully protect standard printing inks, and there is a special release coating which accepts a thermal ribbon imprinted image.
The cost savings available from the removal of the liner opens the market to plastic films offering better recycling with the primary packaging materials.
For labelling instore, with small printer models taking limited roll sizes, the doubling of labels in the reel saves internal supply costs and waste removal.

Over 30% of current self-adhesive labels are used for Print Apply applications and with the growth in Global Trade, this is the fastest growing market sector.