Time
To Upgrade Your GHS Label Printing? Here’s Your Best Options.
Beginning
in 2012 when the OHSA announced the final rules, Chemical Manufactures started
to implement their plans to comply with the Global Harmonized System of
Classification and Labeling of Chemicals; commonly referred to as GHS.
In July of
2015, chemical manufacturers were required to comply to the GHS labeling
requirements codified in these rules.
In addition to
complying to the GHS initiative, many chemical companies were required to
comply with BS5609, for the marine shipment of chemicals. British Standard BS 5609 is a specification
for printed pressure-sensitive, adhesive coated labels for marine use which
includes requirements for the label base material. BS 5609 testing is a
requirement for self-adhesive drum labels needing International Maritime
Dangerous Goods (IMDG) certification. Testing includes a 3-month exposure of
labeled test plates in salt water.
 |
| C831 Label Printer for GHS Drum Labels |
After 8 years
of complying to both the GHS initiative and to BS5609 requirements, many chemical
companies have found it’s time to upgrade their label printers. At the end of 2012, Epson released the C831
color label printer; perfect for printing drum labels. See my initial post of this printer release
here:
 |
| C3500 Label Printer |
Then
on September 1st, 2013, Epson launched the C3500; for durable and
chemical resistant labels less than 4.25” wide.
The combination of these two printers fit the requirements for many
chemical companies. For example,
Engineered Lubricants:
And Octochem:
 |
| C7500 Label Printer |
And before the official GHS rules took effect, Epson launched the C7500; high resolution, fast and durable label printer. Smark Chemical was our first chemical company customer using the C7500 printer.
Watch
Epson’s video on the C7500 deployment at Smark here:
Or NIC using the C7500G printer for gloss and matte finished labels:
But after more
than 5 to 8 years, companies who deployed GHS label printers years ago need to
consider updating and replacing this equipment for the following three key
reasons.
- Stoppage Prevention: All mechanical devices wear out over time; and label printers are no different. When printing labels becomes the critical path to shipping product, then companies should update and upgrade this important equipment.
- Technology Improvement: Technology has advanced in the last several years; including label printers. New printers will not only reduce the risk of a shipping problem, but may improve the workflow and ease of use for operators.
- Cost Reduction: New technology offers ways to reduce costs; especially for drum label printers.
To help update
and replace this older equipment, Epson has launched the new C6000 label printer
series. These new printers offer the
same durable ink/labels as well as new technology that improves print quality
and workflow at a very affordable price.
For example, the C6000 printers are plug and play with Zebra print
streams. Learn more here:
In addition,
the C6000 offers the first-ever peel and present option for color label
printers.
Also, the C6000
printers have a movable gap sensor making circles easier to print.
With
the launch of the new C6000 series printers, many of our customers have
upgraded from their C831 and C3500 printers to these new models. For example, Marabu Inks, has moved from
C3500 printers to the C6500A, primarily for print quality reasons. According to Patrick Forney, Product Manager
for Digital Inks, “our C3500 printer was well-ridden for years. We’re getting much better print quality from
the C6500A. Plus, we like the capability
to print the larger label sizes.” And
Charles Kaufman, Purchasing from Marabu Inks says, “the C6500A is printing
great!”
Another one of
our customers, says they’re planning to replace all of the C3500 printers. According to the operations manager, “The
C6000 printers not only produces better print quality, but also are much easier
to use than the C3500. Also, the peel and present option should help us prevent
potential labeling errors. We’re
planning to convert all of our 15 to 20 C3500 printers to C6000.”
In addition, C831 users have found other
interesting benefits. According to Rick
Rawla, IT with Ungerer and Company says, “I like
it a lot. We’ve found the C6500 is a lot
faster as well as providing much better print quality than either the C3500 or
C831.”
Besides switching away from Epson printers,
we’ve found companies have switch away printers from other label vendors. For example, our customer NARCO Chemicals is printing
many of their drum and pail labels now on the C6500A instead of the
Memjet-based Trojan One. According to
Kevin Larimer, Graphics Manager, says “So far, the C6500 has been absolutely
stellar. We’ve placed labels outdoors
along with our Trojan-produced labels. We’ve
found the C6500-based labels are very durable; where the ink comes off from the
Trojan-produced ones. Overall, the C6500 is really good.”
For those
companies producing GHS labels for several years, now is the time to consider
upgrading their label printers. These
new printers are easier to use, offer new technology solutions and save money
on both ink and labels.
Contact us if your organization is ready to
update and upgrade their GHS Label printing systems.
Guy Mikel
855-962-7670
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