And how to use them
Traceability labels are used across many industry sectors to keep track of ingredients, parts, or finished products, throughout the operational process and onwards to the end customer. They are an essential part of most manufacturing and distribution operations, but which label or tag type is best for you?
Tray cards, adhesive labels and loop lock tags
Traceability labelling often relies on simple tray cards which are placed on, or in, trays and baskets of goods. Whilst this method is still current in some operations, many tray card systems are being replaced with self-tying or loop lock tags. Self-tying tags attach to tray handles more securely and make for a more robust traceability system by preventing lost labels.
Where your containers don’t have handles to attach traceability tags to, self-adhesive labels can be a good choice. Unless self-adhesive labels are made from a water soluble material or adhesive, they can be difficult and time consuming to remove from your trays and cages. More noticeably, they make the trays or cages look dirty and unhygienic.
Sometimes it’s hard to choose between adhesive traceability labels and self-tying tags – they both have their advantages and disadvantages.
There is another choice – self-adhesive tags – which have the advantages of both self-adhesive labels and loop lock tags!
What is a self-adhesive tag?
A self-adhesive tag is exactly that – a tag with adhesive on the reverse covered with a backing paper. They are cleverly designed so that when the tag is peeled from the backing, it leaves a small section of paper intact that adheres to the other end of the tag to form a loop.
Take a look at the image in the header to see how self-adhesive tags attach to cages and trays with handles.
When to choose self-adhesive traceability tags
We make self-adhesive tags to your exact specification. Here are a few of the reasons they may be a good choice for your operation:
If you use a variety of containers:
If you use some containers with handles and some without, a self-adhesive tag gives you the flexibility to use one traceability tag for both situations.
The self-adhesive tag can be used both as a self-tying tag or a label, whichever suits the container.
If you need a quick and easy way to attach and remove traceability tags:
If you are currently using adhesive traceability labels you may be finding that they are hard to remove from containers. At best, removing labels is time-consuming, at worst, it can damage your containers and shorten their life.
We have even seen situations where goods have been delivered to the wrong address as old delivery labels haven’t been properly removed or covered up.
If you want to reduce your label waste:
Since the backing paper remains intact when attaching self-adhesive traceability tags to cages and containers with handles, there is less label waste to clear up. This means you save time and money on an unproductive job.
If you’d like to discuss ways to improve your traceability system and see if a self-adhesive tag could be the answer please get in touch, we’d be happy to help.