Labelling with laser-activated labels: print variable data reliably and economically
Three components and one ingenious system: special laser-activated labels (also called LAM labels), in combination with a CO2 laser or UV laser and a HERMA labelling machine, open up a host of new possibilities for product labelling. The system leads to significant gains in process reliability and cuts your production costs – a convincing alternative to conventional labelling solutions.
As a system provider, HERMA, in cooperation with our partners for CO2 lasers and UV lasers and HERMA labelling machine construction - and of course the specially developed labels - offers a convincing complete solution from a single source. As a pioneer in this labelling technology, our labels for laser marking systems set standards in terms of print quality and printing speed. Benefit from our many years of expertise.
The CO2 laser and UV laser labelling systems have one thing in common: they produce a complete print image at very high speed - contact-free and without additional consumables.
The differences lie in the functional details of the respective laser and the associated advantages for labelling applications in different industries.
Discover the areas of application and material properties of our labels for laser activation:
CO2 laser labels
Paper labels with laser-activated layer
- Ideal for logistics and product labelling
- Also for difficult filling conditions (e.g. in dusty environments)
- High contrast and razor-sharp print image
Find out more about labels for CO2 laser labelling
NEW: UV laser labels
Film labels with UV laser-activated components
- Ideal for applications in the pharmaceutical / cosmetics / food sector
- High resistance to chemicals, oil, soap, moisture and can be used in freezing processes
- Robust film, scratch-resistant printing
Find out more about labels for UV laser labelling
- The low-maintenance, non-contact system demonstrably reduces downtimes and production interruptions, is virtually wear-free, and requires no additional consumables such as those used in thermal transfer printing.
- Laser marking systems are ideal for product labelling; they produce clear-cut print-outs and minimise operating costs.
- Difficult production conditions, like dust, are not a problem.
- Printing takes just fractions of a second; small fonts and barcodes are clearly defined.
- Camera systems can be integrated for direct monitoring of results.
- Labels can be printed right at the dispensing edge, allowing allocation of labels to products; printing can continue all the way to the last label.
- Label dispensing and printing can take place at different times, permitting a high degree of flexibility. This is a major advantage over other printing systems, such as thermal transfer printing.
- The process is ideal for printing batch and weight information or adding data for shipping and in-house logistics.
- If necessary, the system can be configured for individual requirements on site and linked to ERP Systems.
CO2 laser labels: special paper labels with a laser-activated layer, ideal for logistics and product labelling
Our customers for CO2 laser-activated labels come from a wide range of industries, for example the textile industry, construction chemicals, food, consumer goods and stationery. The applications for this labelling technology are diverse: labelling products and packaging with product information, type, batch, barcode and much more. Efficient printing of logistics labels, directly in the packaging systems, at high speed: economical and process-reliable.
Of course, you can also process HERMA LAM paper labels for CO2 lasers in conjunction with existing CO2 laser systems - our material offers the highest quality in terms of speed, contrast and contour sharpness - with clear advantages over other laser-activatable materials, such as laser-activatable varnish. We produce in your desired format: blank or individually pre-printed.
Variable printing of film labels with UV laser
Innovative HERMA film labels: Labelling with UV laser - by pure colour change, without additional consumables
The innovative film labels from HERMA enable variable data printing by pure colour change using a UV laser, directly in the labelling process. No material is removed in the process. Compared to thermal transfer printing, which is still widely used today, this is particularly resource-saving and efficient, as no additional consumables are required and no waste is produced. In addition, regular and annoying downtimes, for example to change thermal transfer ribbons, are eliminated.
In order to achieve the best coding results, the labels have been extensively tested in the Domino laser laboratory.
Even the smallest font sizes can be realised - with an absolutely smudge- and scratch-resistant print image and even with high-speed labelling at 600 cycles and more.
HERMA UV laser labels can be used for labelling in many areas: ideal for the pharmaceutical, cosmetics and food industries
HERMA UV laser labels made of high-quality white PE film can be labelled with all UV laser printing systems. Our UV laser labels offer the highest quality in terms of speed, contrast and contour sharpness - with clear advantages over conventional thermal transfer labels.
The use of laser coding systems for variable, non-material-removing labelling was previously possible with special papers. However, this is not an option for most pharmaceutical and many cosmetic products for application and safety reasons. Thanks to the new UV laser labels, the way is now clear to use this advantageous labelling method for variable data in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics sector.
This is particularly important for pharmaceutical and cosmetic products: The typeface on the UV laser labels is absolutely smudge and scratch-proof and resistant to disinfectants, alcohol and grease. Labelling with UV laser labels is also very suitable for very low temperatures, including freezing processes, and remains reliably legible.
Another advantage of UV laser printing is that the printed image is always razor-sharp, even with the smallest font sizes. The laser allows fonts or characters that are only 0.6 millimetres high, whereas thermal transfer stops at 1 millimetre at the latest. The dark grey typeface on the white film labels is high-contrast and very machine-readable.
The white PE film labels have a very attractive glossy surface with high opacity. The high flexibility of the PE film also enables problem-free labelling of curved surfaces and deformable packaging. The adhesive adheres firmly and securely to all surfaces and has a temperature range of -30 to +80 °C (up to +95 °C for short periods) and is insensitive to moisture, soaps and oil when applied, with good resistance to light, heat and ageing.
We produce in your desired format: blank or individually pre-printed, using digital printing or conventional printing systems. The colour pre-printed labels can also be printed with all variable data directly in the production process using a UV laser.
Wrap-around labelling of vials, bottles and other round containers
HERMA UV laser labels in combination with a HERMA wrap-around labelling machine with integrated UV laser marking system enable labelling at top speed and in continuous operation.
This makes them ideal for labelling vaccines in vials or other round containers.
The new UV laser labels made of PE film will be presented for the first time at ACHEMA in Frankfurt (Hall 4.1, Stand P20) in conjunction with a U510 UV laser from Domino and the HERMA pharmaceutical labelling machine 132M HC.
Fit for high-speed labelling: HERMA UV laser labels for high cycle rates
Unlike thermal transfer printers, UV lasers enable the speed of high-speed labelling machines to be optimally utilised. This is because a UV laser can easily achieve up to 600 cycles per minute and more. With a thermal transfer printer, the limit is usually a maximum of 300 cycles per minute. The UV laser also works without contact, which makes it extremely easy to maintain. UV laser printing systems can be easily integrated into HERMA labelling machines thanks to their modular design.
Labelling specialist Domino has already extensively tested the new HERMA labels in comprehensive laboratory tests. "They deliver very good results with our U510 UV laser," says Volker Watzke, Head of Sales Life Sciences & Tobacco at Domino. "Especially where precise and variable labelling at high speed is required, the two together form an unbeatable combination. The U510 UV laser completes the product portfolio in terms of the collaboration between HERMA and Domino, alongside the technologies used to date, such as CO2 lasers and thermal transfer printers."
This is what characterises HERMA UV laser labels:
- Low maintenance and non-contact, virtually wear-free, no additional consumables such as those required for thermal transfer printing
- UV laser systems are ideal for product labelling with film labels
- High-energy light (UV light) triggers chemical changes in the film label, which lead to a colour change in the label material
- A complete print is created in a fraction of a second through colour change
- Razor-sharp print image and typeface, with high contrast, scratch-resistant
- Allows fonts or characters that are only 0.6 millimetres high (significantly smaller than with thermal transfer printing)
- The dark grey typeface on the white film labels is high-contrast and very machine-readable
- Ideally suited for labelling with expiry dates, batch, lot and weight information, in plain text or codes
- UV laser film labels are resistant to disinfectants, alcohol and grease
- Very suitable for very low temperatures including freezing processes, the labelling remains clearly legible
- Reliable adhesion to all surfaces, temperature range from -30 to +80 °C (up to +95 °C for short periods)
- Insensitive to moisture, soaps and oil, with good resistance to light, heat and ageing
Discover practical uses for HERMA LAM labels made from special paper
Laser-activated labels made of special paper prove their advantages in actual practice: smudge and scratch-resistant prints are produced quickly with sharp contours and a high degree of processing reliability. You can find these practical examples and many more in our ‘Solutions’ section.
Laser-activated labels for small colour bottles:
Labels with variable data for a wide variety of products
Labels for dusty environments & building material bags
Laser-activated labels in the logistics department at Procter & Gamble
Product identification thanks to laser-activated labels at Mey
Take advantage of our expertise as system developers and ask for detailed advice on how to maximise your production efficiency. Use the contact form to get in touch with us. You’ll hear from us right away.
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