What are freezer labels?
Frozen labels: The right choice for labeling in freezing conditions
Not every storage system offers ideal conditions for labels, which are quite rightly subject to special requirements. The task of labels is to enable clear allocation and optimal handling of goods of all kinds. However, special influences such as regular temperature fluctuations, sunlight and the like continuously wear away at their substance. The result is illegible, smeared or otherwise unusable labels - with all the negative effects this has on the flow of goods within the warehouse.
This is exactly where deep-freeze labels come in, which are designed for areas of application with particularly adverse conditions. proLogistik explains the most important aspects and goes into detail about the material composition.
What distinguishes deep-freeze labels and differentiates them from classic labels?
As the name suggests, deep-freeze labels are based on special material properties. They are specially designed for use in environments where extreme temperatures often prevail - as well as fluctuations within a certain scale. A conventional label would not be able to withstand these stresses in the long term because the surface would become illegible or the backing material brittle. A deep-freeze label, on the other hand, relies on certain materials and adhesives that do not lose their stability as well as other properties even under adverse conditions.
Here are the main distinguishing features between a classic label as well as a freezer label:
- Use of a cold-resistant material, optionally based on frozen paper, thermal TK paper, a plastic film or a laser-printed paper.
- Permanent attachment via a special adhesive, so that the deep-freeze labels adhere securely even to already frozen products, among other things.
- Production process in direct thermal or thermal transfer printing that allows different background colors (white, yellow, orange, green, light blue) as well as bar colors (black, blue, green, cyan, brown).
In short, freezer labels are optimized in the exact aspects so that they can be used to identify warehouses, shelves, pallets or products at any time without any problems.
Are freezer labels removable?
Yes, because specifically manufactured freezer labels can be used for this purpose. These are removable, so they can be glued or attached to other objects. This means that bins, containers and the like can be used flexibly for precisely those goods that are currently in focus. The adhesive does not leave any disturbing residues on the surface.
Are there special freezer label rolls that can be used to quickly label products?
Yes, this form of freezer labels also exists. As a rule, a residue-free removable adhesive is used, as well as special adhesive paper from which the prefabricated deep-freeze labels can be removed. The TK-permanent adhesive is designed for temperature fluctuations as well as maximum temperatures of up to -30° Celsius. This makes it ideal for labeling frozen food packaging, for shelf life information or classic labeling of pallets, shelves, warehouses or other products.
What are the advantages of direct thermal or thermal transfer printing?
Depending on the intended use, it makes sense to choose a specific printing process.
- Direct thermal printing
Classically, deep-freeze labels are produced on the basis of the direct thermal printing process. Specially designed label printers work directly on a special thermal paper. This eliminates the need for individual components such as toner or ink ribbons, which is what makes this process so cost-effective.
Used in: Typically, this involves the labeling of shipping packages, receipts and the like - all areas where the low UV resistance of direct thermal printing is not really a disadvantage.
- Thermal transfer printing
The other process already mentioned, thermal transfer printing, is based on a partial application of heat directly to the surface. Several types of treated material can be used, including polyethylene, polypropylene and polyester films, as well as paper and textile fabrics. A deep-freeze label produced in this way has a very high durability, enables a sharp reproduction of the motif and is therefore suitable for bar or barcode labeling as part of product or food labeling.
Used in: Permanent labeling of food, equipment or quality control marks, as well as shipping or transport components.
