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Sunday, April 26, 2020

Thermal Labels From CLS?

ColorLabel Solutions is the premier provider of print on-demand color label systems.  But did you know we also manufacturer and sell thermal transfer and direct thermal labels as well?

Black Rhino Labels
Black Rhino Labels
Color Label Solutions became a manufacture of labels with the purchase of our company by General Data on March 1st 2019.  Learn more here. 


General Data (GDC) is one of the largest and most diversified manufacturers and converters of thermal transfer and direct thermal labels.  Our expertise spans multiple industries and applications, including barcode labels for industrial applications, manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, packaging, food and beverage, cold storage, and healthcare.  GDC produce labels that stand up to all sorts of harsh conditions, including abrasion, moisture, chemicals, solvents and temperature extremes.  GDC produces both standard and custom size thermal labels, and we can supply you these labels.

Many (or maybe most) of our customers use either thermal transfer or direct thermal labels somewhere in their operation.  But when should you use either technology? 

Choosing Between A Thermal Transfer and Direct Thermal Print Solutions
In simplest terms, thermal transfer printing utilizes a thermal ribbon and direct thermal printing does not.


Thermal Transfer Printing

Thermal transfer involves the thermal printhead elements (dots) heating the backside of a thermal transfer ribbon to melt and transfer the compounds on the front side of the ribbon to the label material, thus creating the printed image.


Direct Thermal Printing
Direct Thermal Printing


Direct thermal printing requires a heat sensitive label material. The printhead elements come into direct contact with the heat sensitive material where the heat from the elements causes a color change in the material to create the printed image.


To learn more about the differences between direct thermal and thermal transfer printing, watch this GDC video: 

Knowing the difference between thermal transfer printing and direct thermal printing is only the first step in evaluating the two alternative technologies for use in your label printing application.  The following considerations, while not an exhaustive list, account for the key areas to review when selecting which technology to use.

  • THERMAL PRINTHEAD LIFE & COST
  • PRINTER CONFIGURATION & COST
  • MEDIA SELECTION & COST
  • LABEL LIFE REQUIREMENTS

Learn more about when to use either direct thermal or thermal transfer labels in this article from Sato Corporation: 

Our team of print experts can help you identify the best printer and label for your specific application. Contact us today for more details.

Linerless Labels
Linerless Labels

For direct thermal labels, GDC produces linerless labels.  Linerless labels eliminate the need for liner, thus reducing waste and saving money.  Learn more about linerless labels here:

Black Rhino Labels


GDC proudly manufactures the Black Rhino™ brand of labels and tags. These high-quality barcode labels come in a wide variety of sizes and configurations, and are suitable for a number of different applications. Black Rhino provide outstanding performance and print quality in thermal labels, including printers from Zebra, Intermec, Honeywell, Sato, Datamax, and others. And we’ve got hundreds of SKU’s of Black Rhino brand labels in stock, ready for immediate shipment. If we don’t carry the label that you need in stock, we can make it for you.  General Data’s custom thermal label manufacturing expertise is unparalleled in the industry.

Grant Grooms
Grant Grooms

When asked why to purchase thermal labels from GDC, Grant Grooms, National Sales Manager, says “Unlike other companies who purchase label stock to convert, GDC makes our own thermal materials.  These components come from long-term partners, who provide us consistent raw materials.  By working with GDC, you have a One-Stop-Shop/One Throat to Choke Business that provides consistent, high-quality thermal labels.”

If you use direct or thermal transfer labels, contact us. We can save you money and make your label purchasing easier to do.


Guy Mikel
855-962-7670


Monday, April 20, 2020

Shrink Sleeve Labels

AmeriGraphPackaging Group was founded in 1998 as a manufacturer of printed, pressure-sensitive prime labels, tags, and shrink sleeve packaging for both the food and consumer goods markets.  Over the past 20 years, AmeriGraph Packaging Group has received numerous accolades and awards for product packaging and labeling design innovations, as well as outstanding customer service.

AmeriGraph Packaging Group
AmeriGraph Packaging Group

In 2020 AmeriGraph Packaging Group became a part of General Data Company Inc. (GDC), the parent of Color Label Solutions.   GDC is a national supplier of labeling solutions for both industrial and consumer goods markets.  Learn more about the purchase of Color Label Solutions by GDC here:

One key aspect that AmeriGraph brings to GDC is the design and manufacture of shrink-sleeve labels.  Shrink Sleeve labels are 360-degree printed labels that utilize heat in the application process to conform the label to the shape of the product. These labels are printed on either plastic or polyester film material.   According to Paul Thompson, General Manager of AmeriGraph, “The main reason to use shrink-sleeves is the 360-degree real estate provide by this type of label.    With a shrink-sleeve label, you can print anything all around the container.  Brand designs, ingredients, and regulatory information can be position anywhere on the container.  Marketing can use the entire space for their messages."

AmeriGraph Shrink Sleeve Example
AmeriGraph Shrink Sleeve Example

Continuing, Paul says, “In addition, shrink-sleeve labels make it easy for companies to maintain brand colors when using standard containers that are typically white or clear.  Using standard packaging saves money.”

AmeriGraph Shrink Sleeve Example
AmeriGraph Shrink Sleeve Example


In my conversation with Paul, I asked him what type of companies use shrink-sleeve labels on their packaging.  According to Paul, “Consumer good and food companies are large users of shrink-sleeves primarily for branding purposes.  And recently, we’ve had a large increase in business from sanitation companies; for cleaners, disinfectants and other type of products.  For AmeriGraph specifically, we produce a lot of shrink-sleeve labels for spirit companies. For example, Ole Smoky Moonshine, is a customer who uses both our labels and shrink sleeves.  Branding is very important to Ole Smoky, and the combination of both types of labels gives them flexibility in their messaging.”

AmeriGraph Shrink Sleeve Example
AmeriGraph Shrink Sleeve Example

In spirits, it seems most wines use labels to communicate their brand persona.  However, shrink-sleeve labels would fit when a unique brand proposition was desired.  With the growth of boutique brands in the spirits, shrink-sleeve labels would seem to fit well in this market.

AmeriGraph Shrink Sleeve Example
AmeriGraph Shrink Sleeve Example
After learning more about shrink-sleeve labels, I asked Paul, why choose AmeriGraph?  Paul says, “shrink-sleeve labels are complicated to design and print; and AmeriGraph are experts in this area.  We take an art file, typically created in Adobe Illustrator, and print it on a grid material.  We shrink the material onto the package to calculate how much each area of the label has shrunk.  Based on the percentage shrink, we can redesign the artwork to fit the container.  We are really good at managing the amount of shrink of the label and the design required to work in this situation. Overall, our ability to manage the design and test the material prior to production is our key strength with shrink-sleeve labels.”

To put together a quote for a shrink sleeve label, AmeriGraph requires this information:

  • Graphic file, probably created in Illustrator.
  • Specification length and lay flat width.
  • 3-D design of the packaging from the manufacturer.


If you are interested in learning more about the options or getting a quote for shrink sleeve labels for your brands and company, contact us.  We’ll help you explore how shrink sleeve labels from AmeriGraph can work for you.


Guy Mikel
855-962-7670


Sunday, April 12, 2020

Tube Label Applicator


Do you produce and label products that are sold in tubes?  Now, we offer a semi-automatic applicator to apply labels to tubes; The LabelMill LM1005 Table-Top Applicator System with Round Module and Mandrel.

LM1005 With Mandrel
LM1005 With Mandrel
“The LM1005 with a Mandrel is designed for cosmetic, food, cannabis/CBD, and related manufacturers who produce short runs of products sold in squeeze tubes; cosmetics, lotions, shampoos, etc.,” says Chris Wachter, Business Development, for LabelMill.  Continuing, Chris says, “more companies are producing shorter runs of more SKU’s, making labeling of tubes an important part of the manufacturing process.  Our customer, Merle Norman uses it for many different SKU’s.”

Watch the LM1005 run here:



When asked how did you get started making the Mandrel version of the label applicator, Chris says, “we were approached by a dog and cat shampoo manufacturer who need to label tubes.  We took our standard round label applicator and integrated the mandrel for tubes.  Using our base machine, you can go from a tamp application for flat packages to round module bottle application to mandrel tube application quickly.”

Watch how to quickly change the LM1005 from a tamp module to a round module here:



The capability to go from tamp to round to mandrel applicator is a unique feature of the LM1005.  I don’t know of any other semi-automatic applicator with this type of feature.

In addition to the quick-change capability, the LM1005 can be integrated with a printer; including the C6500A.  When you apply a label, the LM1005 control signals the printer to produce a label and keep the loose-loop going.  Watch a thermal label printer integrated with the LM1005 tamp version here:



When asked, “what is the best feature of the LM1005”, Chris says, “What I like best about the LM1005 is how easy it is to use.  The first time an operator adjusts the applicator for a new product, it may take a few minutes.  Very quickly, however, an operator can make the changes in seconds.  With the tube label applicator, the quick-change mandrel makes changing tube sizes very easy and quick to do.”

LM1005 Mandrel
LM1005 Mandrel

The Mandrel-based, semi-automatic, label applicator is a unique device; especially given the capability to change this machine into a round bottle or tamp applicator.  I don’t know of any other applicators with this type of setup.




If you label tubes, contact us to discuss how the LabelMill LM1005 could fit into your operation.  And if you need labels for your tubes, contact us as well.

Guy Mikel
855-962-7670
info@colorlabelsolutions.com