Roll Labels

Why choose labels on a roll?

A roll keeps every label in the same place, facing the same way, ready to peel. That matters when you are labelling fifty jars before lunch. With sheets you pick each label off a grid; with a roll you pull the backing and the next one is waiting.

Rolls also store neatly, travel well in a van and do not curl at the corners the way loose sheets can after a few weeks on a shelf.

There is a speed difference too. Peeling from a roll on a desktop dispenser is roughly one movement per label, while picking from a sheet is two or three. Over a morning of jars that adds up to real time back.

Which core size do I need?

The core is the card tube in the middle. Hand dispensers usually take 25 mm or 40 mm cores; most labelling machines take 76 mm. If you are not sure, measure the hole in an old roll or the spindle on your dispenser.

Does the unwind direction really matter?

On a machine it matters a great deal. The label has to leave the roll head first, foot first, or sideways, depending on how your machine feeds. Get it wrong and every label goes on upside down or at ninety degrees.

Tell us how the label should face as it comes off the roll and we will show the wind on the proof. If you apply by hand it matters less, but most people still prefer the text to read the right way up as they peel.

Machines also care about the outside diameter of the roll. A roll that is too wide will not sit on the spindle or will rub on the guard, so tell us the largest roll your applicator holds as well as the core.

Setting up a roll for a labelling machine

1. Check the core size and the largest outside diameter your machine accepts.
2. Note the gap your machine expects between labels; most work happily with 3 mm.
3. Confirm the wind direction from an old roll or the machine manual.
4. Send the label size and shape so we can set how many labels fit across and along the web.
5. Approve the proof, which shows the wind, the gap and the roll size.

How many labels go on one roll?

It depends on the label height, the gap and how large a roll your dispenser takes. A 50 mm circle on a 40 mm core might give a thousand labels on a roll that still fits a desktop dispenser. A tall bottle label on the same core gives fewer.

We work this out on the quote. If you would rather have smaller rolls that are easier to handle, say so and we will split the order across more of them.

Very small rolls mean more changes during a long packing session, while very large ones can be heavy and awkward on a small dispenser. Somewhere in the middle usually suits a hand-fed bench, and we are happy to suggest a sensible roll size for your labels.

Which material suits roll labels?

Every stock we print runs on rolls. White BOPP is the common choice because it is tough, water-resistant and runs cleanly through applicators. Clear BOPP gives the no-label look on glass. Kraft and matt papers suit dry goods and anything you want to write on.

If your products go in a fridge or meet oil, our guide to BOPP versus paper label stock helps you choose.

What makes roll labels apply cleanly?

• A matching core so the roll turns freely on the spindle
• A consistent gap so the dispenser stops at each label
• Rounded corners on rectangles, which lift less on curved packs
• A surface that is clean, dry and at room temperature
• Pressure from the centre of the label outwards

Most peeling problems start with a cold or dusty surface rather than the label itself, so a quick wipe before labelling saves a lot of reworking.

Can I mix designs on one roll?

We usually run one design per roll, because a dispenser or machine works best when every label is the same. If you have several flavours, each one gets its own rolls and its own label on the core so you can find it quickly.

For small runs where switching rolls would slow you down, sheets with mixed designs may suit you better. We can quote both and you can compare.

Each roll carries a small label on the core with the design name and the count, so a packer can grab the right flavour without unrolling anything to check.

How does pricing work for rolls?

The price depends on the label size, the material, any finish and the total quantity. Prices start from £0.05 a label, and longer runs bring the cost of each label down.

The core and wind do not change the price much, so choose them to suit your kit rather than to save money. Your quote comes back by email within one working day with a free design proof.

Can I reorder the same rolls later?

Yes. We keep your approved artwork and the roll settings on file, so a reorder only needs the quantity. If you change the wording or the colours, we send a fresh proof before printing.

Reordering a little before you run out is wise. Allow a working day for the quote, 3 to 5 for printing and 2 to 3 for delivery, and keep a roll in reserve for the gap.

What happens after I approve the proof?

Printing takes 3 to 5 working days after approval. We wind the rolls to your settings and pack them so the edges do not crush on the way, and they reach UK mainland addresses by free tracked delivery in 2 to 3 working days.

If a roll arrives with misprints or damage, tell us within 10 days with a photo and we reprint it or refund you. Keep the core labels and the delivery note, as they make any reorder much quicker.