FAQs

Flexographic labels are produced by applying ink to a relief plate cylinder created in your design, which is then applied directly to the label material. The key benefits for this type of label printing include excellent print quality and legibility – plus the print vibrancy lasts due to the type of ink used. It really is the best option if brand consistency is at the top of your priority list- as graduated tints, metallic inks and pantone matching are all achievable. Although it has a higher set-up cost due to the plate creation, it becomes more cost-effective the more labels you print – worth considering if you have a large print run.

Digital printing however requires no plate set up as the design is printed directly onto the label face material. This make digital label printing faster than flexographic presses and more cost -effective for smaller print runs.

Digital labels are a big hit with clients who take marketing seriously. You can respond to sales, make last minute changes to your marketing message and add seasonal touches to your packaging very easily. You can also add individual voucher codes to each label – a real asset when you want to segment and tailor your marketing messages.

In the past, people perceived digital labels to be far less superior in terms of image clarity and vibrancy, but the technology has advanced significantly over recent years. At Southern ID Solutions we use the state of the art Xeikon printer, which produces high-quality results at competitive prices.

If you’re not sure which type of printing process is right for you and your product, we will be more than happy to talk you through it. Give one of our label experts a call today on 01903 502892.

If you have out of date or defunct information on your product that you don’t want employees or customers to see, then our block out labels could be just the job. Although they look like a regular white label, a dark coloured ink printed on the reverse completely obscures anything underneath. When faced with the prospect of replacing or reprinting packaging, a block out label can be a really cost-effective solution.

We can also add several safety features to our block out labels. For example, we can provide you with highly durable label which deposits a black residue when an attempt to remove them is made. For further details about them, call one of our label experts today on 01903 502892.

1. Check the surface you are applying the label to is clean, dry and free of any dust or oil. To achieve this, you may have to clean the area with an appropriate electronic cleaner solvent. If possible, ensure the surface material is above 10 degrees.

2. Each adhesive has individual storage and application temperatures, so check with your manufacturer for exact recommendations. Labels being stored in too cold an environment can have a detrimental effect on adhesion for example.

3. If you still having issues for any reasons, call us 01903 502892 and we will be happy to help.

We can provide you with very simple software to create your food product label that will clearly identify all the allergens in your ingredients and ensure your labels are FIC (Food Information to Customers) compliant. BarTender and NiceLabel both have software programmes which can produce these for you. Call a member of our team today on 01903 502892 and we can set you up a free software trial.

Cold foiling is a process used in label production, which adds a reflective embellishment and sense of quality to product labels. Popular with our premium food and cosmetic customers, Southern ID Solutions have over 30 different metallic colours and finishes – from brushed silver to semi-translucent, which can be incorporated into your label design. To find out more about cold foiling treatments, call one of our label experts today on 01903 502892.

Southern ID Solutions can provide you with a whole host of label accessories to make your label application easier and quicker. Our label dispensers range from hand-held applicators which are operated manually to automatic applicators which have an optical sensor, making label application a doddle. To find out more about label dispensers, applicators and rewinders, call us today on 01903 502892.

Adhesive Type: Super Removable

Super Removable Adhesive is a relatively new technology in the label industry. Providing great adhesion when first applied, the benefits of this acrylic adhesive is that when it's time to take it off after purchase, it's very easily removed and will leave very little, if any, residue on the product underneath.

Uses: Suitable for temporary application - when you need to regularly update product information or price for example.

Adhesive Type: Permanent

When critical information is displayed on your product, such as storage and handling information, durability is key. Additionally, if your product needs to withstand harsh weather environments, our advice is to use a high quality, acrylic, permanent adhesive. When matched with an appropriate face material, your end product will be able to withstand moisture and extreme temperatures with no issue.

Uses: A great, all-round adhesive that will be effective on the majority of labelling jobs.

Adhesive Type: Removable

Labels with a removable adhesive can be removed for a window of time after application without damaging the label or surface it’s applied on.

Uses: Good for limited time promotions. Removable adhesive labels and stickers are ideal for temporarily marking items and limited-time promotions. Be aware that temperature can affect the stickiness and removable capabilities of labels with this adhesive type.

Adhesive Type: Freezer

Freezer adhesive is useful for products that are prepared or stored at cold temperatures, as conventional permanent adhesives become ineffective below -10 degrees C. Freezers often drop to below -30 degrees C and therefore require a more robust bond. Once applied, this strong adhesive ensures your labels will not peel off, disperse or tear when subjected to the cold.

Uses: Perfect for cold food storage in restaurants and factories, medical environments when labels are exposed to nitrogen and outdoor environments when your labels have to withstand sub-zero temperatures.

Yes, we can provide you with a wet-proof directly from the printer so you can accurately check the colour and clarity of your label. If you order digital labels from us, we can supply you with a digital press proof free of charge.

If branding consistency colour and logo reproduction is of high importance, then we would recommend your labels are printed via the flexographic process where pantone matching is possible. We can also provide you with a wet proof directly from the printer so you can sign off the artwork yourself.

When it comes to producing and printing your own product barcode, Barcoding - Getting It Right" is essential reading for anyone getting started. The guide is produced by GS1 - the international organisation that develops and maintains standards for supply and demand chains across multiple sectors. To read it, simply click here.

Next, you will need some basic software to translate your database information into a readable code. We offer free trials on the most popular and easy to use barcodes generators including NiceLabel, EnLabel and BarTender. To get started, give us a call on 01903 502892 and we will be more than happy to help.

Yes you can. You can use an existing CSV and Excel databases, spreadsheets and ERP systems. To find out more or to set up a free barcode software trial, call us today on 01903 502892.

In a word no. If you currently use a scanner to check your barcodes, be aware that a verifier is not the same as a barcode scanner. The scanner only assures that the scanned bar code has some region on it that is readable, by that scanner. A verifier, on the other hand, is a precision instrument that will predict how well the barcode will be read by ANY scanner - then decode, measure and check its formatting as well as making recommendations for remedial action.

Regardless of how good your printer is, it may not always print perfectly. Thermal ribbon wrinkles or improper heat and speed settings could be all it takes for your barcode to fail. If you want to introduce verification into your production line, call for a chat today on 01903 502892.

If you don’t have the capability to verify your barcodes for yourself, Southern ID Solutions also provides a verification service. Verifying your barcodes is the only way to ensure that your barcodes are meeting mandatory standards. We use industry leading Axicon verifiers to check the quality of your label, which will give your code a FAIL or PASS result. We will also provide you with a detailed report on the barcode quality and if needed, give remedial advice on how to improve the barcode clarity.

We would recommend that you clean your printhead at each ribbon change – keep your cleaning kit next to your printer to remind you!

Make sure you choose a non-abrasive, lint free cloth to remove media, residue and dust. Your manual should have more info on how to do this effectively,however if you’re unsure, we also sell printhead cleaning kits.

Make sure your using the correct ribbon size going forward. A ribbon that is not wide enough to cover the entire width of the label for example, will cause the label to abrade with the printhead. If you’re unclear about thermal ribbon compatibility – we can help you identify the right one you need and even send you a free sample so you can test it out. Finally, use the lowest heat setting acceptable for your print quality, which will conserve energy and prolong printhead life.

For this application, we would recommend the Citizen 6621 desktop printer. It is the smallest 6-inch label printer on the market, making it perfect warehouses and pack-stations where space is at a premium. It has an all metal printhead and a durable outer-case, great for tougher environments and media loading couldn’t be easier thanks to its Hi-Lift ™ Mechanism. For further information or to purchase one, call a member of our team today on 01903 502892.

In a word – yes! Here at Southern ID Solutions we have developed a stand-alone label solution which has proved a huge hit with our customers. It comprises of a compact printer and keyboard unit, which allows different label designs to be selected and printed without the need for a PC. Adapting to suit the needs of your work environment, the system is cost effective, flexible and frees up essential work space. For more information on the system and how it can be integrated into your production line, give us a call on 01903 502892.

Check you have the printer set on the right mode, thermal transfer or direct thermal stock.
You may be trying to use incompatible stock i.e thermal transfer labels in a direct thermal only printer. The darkness or temperature setting on your printer may also be too low.

We work with all the leading brands in the labelling and barcoding industry, including Toshiba, TSC, Zebra, Citizen, Intermec and GoDEX. We can provide you compatible labels, thermal ribbons and printheads regardless of the make and model of your printer. If you are unsure exactly what you need then give one of our experts a call today on 01903 502892.

Wax - is the most economical choice. It offers excellent print quality on paper labels with matt or semi-gloss finishes. Ideal for general purpose applications.

Wax/resin - is smudge and scratch resistant. It offers excellent print quality on semi-gloss paper and synthetic labels such as polypropylene and polyester. Gives a crisp image and is great for high volume printing.

Resin - is highly durable with exceptional abrasion and chemical resistance. Excellent print quality on coated and synthetic labels.

Printer Issue: Ribbon Breakage
Possible Causes & Remedial Action:
Printhead pressure is set too high. Reduce printer pressure. 
Printhead energy setting is set too high. Reduce energy setting. 
Ribbon tension is too high on the take-up spool. Adjust tension setting. 

Printer Issue: Poor Barcode Edge Definition 
Possible Causes & Remedial Action:
Thermal ribbon isn't matched correctly with your label material. Test another ribbon and label combination. 
Print speed is too high (if printed in ladder format), reduce speed and temperature accordingly. 

Printer Issue: Gaps In The Printed Data
Possible Causes & Remedial Action:
Dust on the label. Regularly remove dust from labels inside the printer and clean the printhead. This also improves the life of your printhead.
Printhead elements have burned out. Replace printhead. 
Thermal ribbon or media isn't matched correctly with your printer. Test another ribbon or media. 

Printer Issue: Ribbon Slippage
Possible Causes & Remedial Action:
Rewind tension is too low. Increase ribbon tension
Label surface is too shiny. Change to a label material with a matte finish.

This depends on the size of the label you are using. You need your ribbon to be wider than the label, so that the label paper does not come into contact with the printhead directly. The ribbon has to be positioned correctly to protect the print head from abrasion. If you need some advice, call us 01903 502892.

This will depend on the printer you are using. Different printers wind the ribbon from the spool to the print head in different ways and therefore some need the ink to be on the inside of the roll and some on the outside. These configurations are referred to as inside wound or outside wound. If you’re not sure which configuration you need, then give a member of our team a call today on 01903 502892.

Our own brand labels and thermal ribbons are compatible with any make or model of printer and could save you money too. They come in a whole host of colours and we can send you a free test sample before you buy to ensure you are completely satisfied with the product. For more information call us today on 01903 502892.

If we have the item in-stock, we deliver them to you the very next day. If we have to place an order, we will get your goods to you within 1 -5 days.