Avery Dennison launches novel ‘shrinking without wrinkling’ labels

The patent-pending product – developed together with dairy and meat industry players – is called Avery Dennison Shrink PS, and the packaging and labelling specialist said it had engineered the labels to survive the vacuum-shrink process.

The multinational firm's new labels are applied to shrinkable bags off-line or in-line, prior to filling and vacuum sealing, and potential applications include processed meats, fresh red meats (pictured) poultry and cheese products.

Smooth finish​

Immersed in hot water following sealing, Avery Dennison claims its labels shrink with bags and other packaged products to deliver a smooth finish, without the wrinkling associated with labels applied by hand.

The water resistant labels can also be affixed using automatic label applicators, according to Avery Dennison, which has worked with Tronics to develop a custom-built applicator for Shrink PS.

Bassam Hallak, global segement director, food, told DairyReporter.com that after presenting the concept at Interpack prior to its launch, the response from the meat industry was particularly strong.

Shrink PS “offers improved shelf appeal because it is a pressure-sensitive, wrinkle-free decorating solution,” ​he said, which also eliminated the need for pre-printed shrink bags and addressed the industry need for smaller order sizes.

Expensive obsolescene​

As a result, food processors could reduce or eliminate multiple sets of pre-printed shrink bags in inventory, cutting overall costs and increasing flexibility, Avery Dennison said.

“Also because the label can be applied prior to shrinking, the concept allows for automated application using the newly developed Tronics applicator. Hence there is potential for significant cost savings,”​ Hallak said.

Shrink PS offered late-stage differentiation when compared with traditional pre-printed labels and reduced lead times (printing within 6 weeks), while a reduced inventory also cut out “expensive obsolescence”​, Hallak added.

“Compared with pre-printed shrink-bag labelling, the Shrink PS solution offers enhanced labelling flexibility and the opportunity to differentiate products at a later stage in the packaging process,”​ Avery Dennison said.