LABELLING IN LOGISTICS
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or delays. “The shift to e-commerce has significantly impacted the market, with consumers demanding seamless shopping experiences and fast, flexible, reliable delivery of goods. As a result, logistics providers are under pressure to achieve end-to-end supply chain visibility, and any solutions that can support this will be sought after. “The impact of CVOID-19, Brexit and the war in Ukraine has called for diversification and better management of risk to stay resilient and maintain customer satisfaction. Despite cost and speed remaining key priorities for consumers, sustainability is also a growing concern, and its influence on buying behaviour is now trickling down to the supply chain. In response, solutions that can support a reduction in carbon emissions and waste will prove to be important investments, as ‘green logistics’ initiatives gain traction.” Solutions for greater control With these concerns in mind, Mikhaila adds that the most prominent products on the market are those that minimise manual processes and errors, offer greater control and management of printing and enable better tracking of goods. “Solutions that can facilitate those goals will ultimately be attractive to key stakeholders,” she says. “There is a growing emphasis on cloud- based labelling software for better control over printing processes and hardware like automatic label print and apply systems to increase uptime. Validation solutions are ever popular, ensuring accuracy throughout the barcode labelling process, and if sustainability is a priority, linerless labelling solutions are an ideal option for reducing the waste produced throughout the labelling operation. RFID solutions are also gaining popularity, especially devices that enable seamless RFID tagging for improved visibility and tracking.” Various solutions Jay Kim, managing director of BIXOLON, notes that there are many different types of printers and media options on the market today, each with their own benefits. He agrees that RFID and linerless solutions are important. He says that RFID labels, which come with
RFID solutions
are also gaining popularity, especially devices that enable seamless RFID tagging for improved visibility and tracking.
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the ability to store information on a label that can be read with a specialised reader along with visual printed information, are popular. “With a range of RFID printing technology on the market today, UHF print and encoding technology seems to be the most popular, which works in conjunction with specialised readers and beacons,” he says. Linerless labelling is also important, he adds. “This offers variable length labelling without the need for backing paper and uses either permanent or semi-permanent labelling technology, which must be used with specialised linerless label printers.” But the most readily available labelling type on the market today are traditional pre-cut labels, Jay says. “Pre-cut labels come in a range of sizes and can be used in desktop, industrial and mobile printing solutions,” he adds. “These types of solutions use a range of printing technologies such as direct thermal and thermal transfer printing depending on the label type allowing for either a clean crisp or glossy surface.” Label solutions Andréas Olsson, global sector manager – logistics & distribution, Domino Printing Sciences, adds that white paper labels, printed using print and apply labelling solutions, are the most dominant data carrier for logistics labelling. However, concerns about the environmental impact of paper labels may prompt an increase in
Mikhaila Corbett-Hassit marketing executive
toshibatec.co.uk
Jay Kim managing director
bixoloneu.com
CONTINUED
printinthechannel.co.uk
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