Complex 3 Line Label Solution
When Plants Plus of Evesham, wholesale importers and growers of fruit and vegetables, were told by a major customer just how much information was needed on each item in the four salad lines ordered, including country of origin, product description, variety, class grower and dates, they decided to look around at all the options. Printing and applying self-adhesive labels in the necessary volumes and with the necessary speed using an electronic desk-top thermal printer, though the obvious solution, proved to be awkward and expensive, further squeezing already tight margins. Hand-held labelling is fast and economical and the application of the label is quick and easy, but could a hand-held system cope with so much detail?
It was quite a challenge for John Mayers of Positive ID Labelling Systems, but he was able to fit all the information into a 28mm x29mm label – the maximum size for hand-held labelling machines. All 33 possible facets on the labeller had to be used , along with pre-print on the labels, including two yellow boxes to help segregate the information. “In 25 years of designing hand-held labelling systems, this is the most information I have ever had to fit onto a single label, “ he commented.
The result is a clearly read label giving all the details necessary. Jackie Harris, Technical Manager at Plants Plus explained that Positive ID’s labelling solution has speeded up the labelling operation by more than 50%, with a significant cost saving. “It’s ideal for our business,” she said.
Positive ID Labelling Systems specialises in devising hand-held labelling solutions for growers and packers. The wholly UK owned company supplies one, two or three line machines. Standard models with popular print combinations are supplied from stock, but machines can be built to meet individual customer needs, as in this application. All come with full after sales support.
