Common Label Terms

Helpful label terminology from Renell Label-Print, Inc.

[ A-C ] [ D-L ] [ L-Z ]

Adhesive:
The glue substance applied to the back as a pressure-sensitive material for adhesion to surfaces.
All-temperature:
The type of pressure-sensitive adhesive designed for use at both room and colder temperatures.
Bar code:
One of several machine-readable codes used at retail, manufacturing, and shipping levels.
Bleed:
When the ink coverage of the copy runs beyond the cut edge of a label.
Butt cut:
A label made with square corners and no spacing between labels.
Carrier width:
Measurement of the liner or backer from edge to edge of the label or roll.
Cold temperature:
Refers to adhesives designed for application and performance at colder temperatures above freezing.
Color changes:
Refers to the wash-up and changeover of ink colors within a production run.
Color matches:
Refers to the mixing of ink colors to match a specific color requirement or PMS (Pantone Matching System) standard.
Color proof:
A pre-press color prototype typically supplied from laser, color print, color key, chromalin or press proof to approve prior to production.
Copy:
The printed image and/or wording on a label.
Coupon label:
A coupon made as a pressure sensitive label which can be applied to a surface and subsequently peeled off and redeemed as a dry coupon with no adhesive to the touch. Also called an IRC (instant redeem coupon).
Cut marks:
The lines on the outer edges of artwork and plates that show where the actual cut of the label will be.
Die:
The tool that cuts the shape of the label (often available in a label maker's tooling inventory).
Die cut:
Refers to the cut that produces a label shape. In rectangles, it distinguishes rounded corners from the square corners common to butt cut labels and is a requirement for automatically applied labels.
Die line:
The outline of the die cut; often required to match artwork properly to the finished shape.
Direct thermal:
Imprinting process using heated pins to strike specially coated paper to produce an image.
Exact repeat:
Usually means a label reorder to the exact specifications as previously followed without change.
Face material:
Top layer of a label construction sometimes also called the substrate (i.e. paper, foil, mylar, vinyl, etc.)
Fanfold:
Finishing labels with a perforation and zigzag fold so that it can be imprinted or used as continuous.
Fanfold length:
The distance from perforation to perforation on a fanfolded label.
Flexo:
The flexographic process of printing that uses round printing cylinders and cutting dies and requires roll materials into the press. It runs thin, fast-drying inks and raised-surface plates at high speeds.
Four-color process:
The print combination of magenta, cyan(blue), yellow, and black in dot patterns called screens, to produce a variety of graphics, images, or photos in all the color shadings desired.
Freezer temp:
Refers to pressure-sensitive adhesives designed for application and performance below 32°F.
Gradient:
The variation of printed dots from lighter to darker as a single or in multiple colors.
Halftone(s):
The use of dots to create a lighter-shaded version of a base color.
Label length:
The label's dimension from one side to the other in the direction of the pull of the roll.
Label width:
The label's dimension from one side to the other in the direction from one edge of the roll to the other.
Lamination:
The process of combining one or more surfaces together to accomplish a particular purpose.
Laser stock:
Face material, often paper, required when using heat and toner to produce an image.
Latex-impregnated:
Face material with rubber additive to improve moisture and weather resistance, and flexibility.
Liner:
The silicone-coated base material used to facilitate release of the adhesive coated face while holding it together during printing, die cutting and automatic application.
M:
Represents 1000 in the printing industry.
Matrix:
The waste face material around the die cut edges of a label that is stripped away and discarded.
Opaque adhesive:
Also called "greyback" or "block-out" used to eliminate any show- through of previous printing.
Overlaminate:
The application of a clear material (usually a lacquer coating, film, or UV) for appearance or protection.
Pattern adhesive:
The application of adhesive in a striped pattern for the purpose of a specific construction.
Perforation:
A series of cut and uncut areas used to aid in tearing, folding, or some other facilitation.
Permanent:
Common term for pressure sensitive adhesives designed to give a permanent or lasting bond.
Piggyback:
A multi-layered material made to allow for the secondary use or positioning of the label.
Pin feed:
Relates to the tractor-feed marginal holes required by certain impact imprint systems.
Plate:
The raised surface, usually of photopolymer or rubber, which transfers the ink to print an image.
PMS:
Pantone Matching System of color standards and matching, indicated by a universal number given to each specific color and shade.
Positive print:
Refers to any image that is created by the raised surface of a plate, like a rubber stamp. (See Reverse print)
Registration:
The correct placement of all colors and copy within a label or one color to another.
Release:
The chemical bond of the face to the liner allowing for proper converting, application and adhesion.
Removable:
A type of adhesive that is designed for clean removal from a surface(s).
Repositionable:
Refers to the Post-It™ type of adhesive allowing for easy release and reapplication to most surfaces.
Reverse print:
The reverse of Positive print (above), where the raised plate prints ink all around the desired image.
Screens:
Any dot pattern used to produce various concentrations of color such as process, halftones, or gradients.
Tamper resist:
Labels created in any combination of fashions to defeat removal after application or indicate evidence of tampering with package integrity.
Thermal transfer:
Imprinting process that uses heated pins against a transfer ribbon to image a paper or film substrate.
Tints:
Solid ink coverage on a label.
Tool/Tooling:
Refers not only to cutting dies but also other mechanicals such as cylinders, sheeters, blades, punches, etc.
UV:
Stands for "Ultraviolet" which is a method of curing inks, coatings and laminations by ultraviolet light.

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