Making readable, professional-looking labels is a breeze with the help of the label tape that comes standard with most label machines. It is important to know how to use and maintain label tape in order to get the most out of your label maker, whether you use it at home, in the office, or for business. In this piece, we’ll go over basic guidelines for working with and caring for label tape, with a focus on thermal label tape.
A Guide to Choosing Label Tape
Selecting the right size and kind of thermal label tape is essential for fulfilling all of your labeling needs. Thermal label tape is available in many different widths, colors, and stickiness levels. Labels should be carefully considered in terms of their intended surface area. Select a thermal label tape that lasts as long as you need it to and has the adhesive characteristics your label machine needs.
Make Extra Safety Attempts
Weather and careless handling can quickly ruin the label tape. The label tape’s usefulness and longevity can be improved through careful handling. If label tape is exposed to high humidity, strong sunshine, or high temperatures, it might degrade and lose its stickiness. Label tape should be stored in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight.
Cleaning and Preparing the Surface
Prior to putting the thermal label tape, the surface must be cleaned and prepared. Before applying the adhesive, make sure the target area is dry, clean, and devoid of dust, grease, and any other contaminants that could compromise the strength of the bond. Use a gentle cleaning solution and a soft cloth to wipe off the surface, if necessary. This will help the thermal label tape adhere more securely and extend the life of the labels.
Make Modifications and Verify Printing Settings:
It is recommended to test and adjust the print parameters of the label maker before actually printing on the thermal label tape. Adjusting the label’s size, print density, and print speed falls under this heading. If you want to be sure everything looks the way you want it to, print a few test copies on a scrap of thermal label tape. Repeat as often as necessary until the goal is achieved.
When Printing, Avoid Applying Excessive Pressure:
When printing on thermal label tape, take careful not to apply too much force to the printer. If too much force is applied, the thermal label tape could become wrinkled, deformed, or even rip off. When printing, maintain a consistent mild pressure for the best results. If you are getting light or partial prints, try increasing the printing pressure.
Take Off Any Extra Tape From Labels:
After you’ve printed your labels, you should cut off any excess tape. The appearance of the labels is enhanced, and problems with overlap and misalignment are avoided during application. Use scissors or a label cutter to cut the label tape down to size and shape the labels to perfection.
Correct label placement is essential.
The longevity and reliability of the thermal label tape depend on how it is applied. Check the labels for straightness and then stick them down. After applying labels, take careful not to pull or apply too much force to remove them. Put forth the extra effort to ensure a snug fit and straight alignment of all parts.
Be sure to regularly clean and service the label maker:
Maintaining your label maker on a regular basis can ensure its smooth operation and increase its useful life. In order to keep your label maker in tip-top shape, follow all of the manufacturer-recommended maintenance procedures, including cleaning the print head and removing dust and dirt. Feeding issues with label tape and poor printing quality can be avoided with regular maintenance.
Conclusion
Finally, using and maintaining good condition label tape is essential if you care about how your labels look and how long they endure. Careful consideration of the thermal label tape used, its handling, the surface’s preparation, the amount of pressure applied during printing, the amount of excess tape trimmed off, the method by which the labels are applied, and the frequency with which the machine is cleaned and maintained will yield the best results and the longest life from your label maker and its labels. If you stick to these steps, using thermal label tape won’t be a hassle, and you’ll have labels that seem like they were made by a pro in no time.
