Linerless printers – everything you should know about them
Linerless label printers are gaining popularity among companies looking for modern, economical and eco-friendly labeling solutions. Linerless label printers help to reduce waste and reduce material consumption. In this article you will learn how linerless printers differ from standard models, the benefits of using them, and learn about specific models of linerless printers you can buy from Etisoft.
Linerless printers – how they different from a regular label printer
Linerless printers are devices that differ little from traditional label printers. They are thermal printers in which the printing mechanism and material guide are adapted to print self-adhesive thermal paper without a liner.
- The linerless continuous material, as a self-adhesive ribbon, is rolled up on a roll just like ordinary adhesive tape. As linerless labels print and move, the adhesive layer is in direct contact with the printing mechanism. Therefore, in linerless printers, the rollers for guiding the material are made of special plastic. Thus, the adhesive from linerless labels does not stick to them.
- In addition, the linerless material is coated on top with a special non-stick coating, which prevents the rolled-up layers of material from sticking together and makes it easier to unwind during printing. Therefore, printing linerless thermal labels requires a higher print temperature setting. The temperature generated by the print head must penetrate the release liner to activate the chemical processes in the thermal paper and allow a legible print to form.
- Linerless labels are continuous material. After the label content is printed, it is trimmed by a cutter mounted in the printer. In linerless printers, the cutting bar of the cutter is covered with a special coating. It prevents the adhesive from sticking to the labels. In order to keep the linerless printer in good working order and prolong its life, the rollers and the cutter blade should be cleaned regularly from adhesive residue. In addition, after cleaning, apply a layer of silicone lubricant or PTFE oil to the rollers and cutting bar.
Linerless printers – where they are used
Linerless label printers are used in industries where it is necessary to label products, packages or documents quickly and efficiently. The use of linerless printers comes with benefits such as quick and easy printing, less material consumption, and reduced waste, making them ideal for labeling processes. Here are some industries where linerless printers are used:
- Logistics and transportation
Linerless printers are commonly used in warehouses, distribution centers and courier companies. They can be used to quickly print logistics labels, parcel labels, shipping labels and documents.
2. Retail
In stores and supermarkets, linerless printers are used to print labels with merchandise prices, bar codes, expiration dates and product numbers. In the apparel sector, they are used to print tags with product information, size, color, price and country of origin.
3. Catering
In the food and beverage industry, linerless thermal labels are used to label food products sold for take-out. They contain the most important information about food ingredients, expiration date, or ordering data.
4. E-commerce
Linerless printers are mainly used to print shipping labels that contain shipment information, shipper and receiver addresses, bar codes or order number.
Benefits of using linerless printers
Linerless printers, which print on linerless labels, offer a number of advantages over traditional self-adhesive label printers. Not only do they streamline printing and labeling processes, they also help reduce environmental impact. The most important benefits of their use are:
- Easy operation – linerless printers are designed to work with linerless labels. As a result, they do not require calibration and additional settings. They are simpler to use because they do not need a thermal transfer ribbon to print, just put on a roll of linerleees material and you can print.
- Environmentally friendly approach – linerless labels do not contain a siliconized backing, which is a waste product after the application of a regular self-adhesive label. Using linerless labels contributes to less waste and, consequently, less environmental pollution. This is not only a benefit to the planet, but also a boost to the company’s image and a step towards sustainability.
- Customization – linerless continuous material is cut off after the label is printed to the required length. This means that a single roll can produce labels of different lengths as needed, from small labels for product labeling to larger labels for packages. This practical approach increases flexibility in the labeling process, and helps reduce inventory of rolls with different label sizes.
- Greater efficiency – linerless labels are a continuous web with no gaps between labels. As a result, more labels can be printed from a single roll. The increased number of labels on a roll translates into less frequent roll changes and, consequently, reduced machine downtime and increased efficiency.
- Streamlining the labeling process – the lack of liner in labels speeds up the process of labeling products and packages. Labels are ready for use immediately after printing, which saves time compared to traditional labels that require liner removal. In addition, it eliminates the problem of removing silicon paper waste from the production line and its storage. With this technology, the label application process is faster and more automated. This can increase operational efficiency.
- Reduce operating costs – investing in linerless technology gives companies long-term benefits. First, it reduces costs associated with the disposal and recycling of liner left over after traditional self-adhesive labels are used up. Second, printing more labels from a single roll of material over a longer period of time saves on ordering fewer rolls. Third, the use of a single roll of material to print different label sizes reduces the size of inventory.
Linerless printers you can buy from Etisoft
• ZEBRA ZT411 – industrial linerless label printer
Zebra ZT411 ZeroLiner printer is an industrial device built specifically for linerless labels. The printer offers a variety of connectivity options, including Ethernet, USB, Bluetooth® 4.2, and the ability to upgrade to an 802.11ac Wi-Fi card. The ZT400 printer’s rugged design, metal frame and reinforced components ensure high performance with reliable operation in harsh environments.
• TOSHIBA TEC BV420D-GL desktop linerless printer
The Toschiba Tec BV420D-GL desktop linerless printer offers linerless label printing in a compact and aesthetically pleasing package. The printer delivers exceptional speed, allowing for efficient production of large volumes. It is ideal for demanding environments that focus on eco-friendliness, speed and reliability.
• TSC DA Series desktop linerless printer
TSC’s DA Series linerless printers are easy-to-use devices for printing linerless labels. They offer multiple communication options such as RS-232, Ethernet, USB host, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n and optional Bluetooth. TSC linerless thermal printers in the DA series combine an affordable price with a reliable and durable design.
Linerless labels – an eco-friendly solution for many industries. Check it out!
• TSC DH Series – desktop 2 inch and 4 inch linerless printers.
TSC DH series printers are 2 inch and 4 inch wide linerless label printing devices. DH series linerless printers are easy to use and integrate. They automatically recognize major printing languages, allowing you to start working immediately after turning them on. The printer’s eco-friendly design includes a housing made of 30% recycled plastic, 90% recyclable components and fully recyclable packaging.
Etisoft – proven supplier of linerless labels and printers
Etisoft is a proven supplier of linerless printers, self-adhesive labels and professional software for their design and label printing – ETILABEL. The program is available in Starter, Business and Integration versions. It allows the creation of label templates containing barcodes, 2D codes, graphics, dates and texts, with an automatic numbering option.
Which device for linerless label application? Read on!
Etisoft also offers remote technical support via Helpdesk to quickly resolve printer and software issues, ensuring business continuity and convenience.
