Label or direct print – which is right for your product?
When you need to add branding, instructions, symbols or identification to a product, a self-adhesive label is quite often the obvious choice.
But sometimes the better answer is not to use a label at all.
Screen printing allows information to be printed directly onto the surface of a component or finished product. For the right application, it can provide a clean, durable finish without adding a separate label.
So, when should you consider screen printing instead?
When the print needs to look like part of the product
Direct screen printing can be particularly effective where appearance matters.
Logos, operating instructions, warning symbols, control markings and other information can be printed directly onto items such as panels and fascias.
Rather than looking like something has been added afterwards, the print becomes part of the finished product.
When you need a durable solution
The environment in which the product will be used is important.
Labels are available in a wide range of materials and adhesives, including options designed for demanding industrial environments. However, there are applications where direct printing onto the component is worth considering,
The most suitable printing method will depend on the material being printed, its intended use and the conditions it will encounter.
When space is limited
Sometimes there simply isn't a suitable area for a separate label.
Screen printing can be used to add text, graphics and symbols directly to the available surface, making it useful for control panels, switches, equipment housings and other components where space is at a premium.
When is a label the better choice?
Direct printing isn't automatically better.
Self-adhesive labels offer considerable flexibility. They can be produced separately, applied during different stages of production and changed without altering the product itself.
They can also incorporate variable information such as serial numbers, barcodes and QR codes, making them the more practical option for many applications.
Choosing the right method
The important question isn't simply, "Do we need a label?"
It's "What's the best way to put this information onto the product?"
The answer could be a durable self-adhesive label, a metal nameplate, direct screen printing or a combination of different methods.
At Matform, we manufacture a wide range of specialist labels and also provide screen printing for industrial and commercial applications. By looking at the product, material, environment and information that needs to be displayed, we can help determine which approach is most suitable.
If you're developing a new product or reviewing how an existing one is marked, talk to Matform about the options available.