The hidden craftsmanship of wine label printing

It turns out that wine label printing can hide so many craftsmanship. If you find it useful, you can collect it! ! !

In the early days, wine was stored, transported and sold in oak barrels. After the 17th century, glass bottles began to be used as wine containers, and wine labels entered the market. The early wine labels had a single function, simple style, rough materials and craftsmanship. The pattern design was mostly based on text, plus some decorative curlicues or variant letters, as well as family emblems. The pasting method was mostly manual glue brushing. Later, it began to be used It is processed and formed by color offset printing and post-printing hot stamping and die-cutting technology, and is mechanically brushed with glue and pasted on the wine bottle using an automatic or semi-automatic labeling machine. Since the label will be wetted by glue during the labeling process, we call this kind of labeling The labeling method is wet labeling, and some domestic wineries are still using this labeling method.

In recent years, with the continuous improvement of the wine production and sales market, self adhesive labels have begun to replace traditional wet labels in the field of bottled wine packaging. So, compared with traditional wet labels, what are the advantages and characteristics of self-adhesive labels in the field of bottled wine packaging? In this article, the author will share with you based on his many years of experience in printing self-adhesive wine labels for readers’ reference.

Labeling and efficient cleaning

Wine filling and labeling generally uses linear automatic labeling machines, which are divided into linear wet label labeling machines and linear self-adhesive labeling machines. Compared with linear wet label labeling machines, linear self-adhesive labeling machines have the advantages of low purchase cost, fast labeling speed, non-contact and pollution-free labeling process, and no need to adjust when changing labels, which can greatly improve labeling efficiency. , reducing the possibility of secondary pollution during the labeling process, and is an efficient and clean labeling method.

Outstanding processing characteristics 

01 Label printing has bright colors and delicate graphics and text

Currently, the self-adhesive labels used in bottled wine packaging are mainly letterpress and PS printing. As we all know, the ink layer of letterpress printing is thicker, and the printed labels are more colorful. However, due to the limitations of the plate making process, the printing effect is not as delicate as that of PS printing. Label designs are mostly based on color block lines and graphics, while PS printing is mostly based on color continuous printing. The main emphasis is on graphics and text. These two patterns have different design styles. If used properly, they can both highlight product features and improve product quality.

It is worth noting that in recent years, major equipment suppliers have been trying to develop equipment that combines multiple printing methods, such as PS plate + flexo + screen + hot stamping + embossing + die-cutting combined printing. This combination can complement each other well, that is, on the same equipment, the continuous color graphics and text on the label are printed with PS plates, the color block parts are printed with flexo, and the base color or the part that requires a particularly thick ink layer is printed by screen printing. This kind of equipment can eliminate the limitations of label printing and help designers use their imagination to design labels more beautifully.

02 Roll-to-roll processing of printing materials is more suitable for efficient labeling

Traditional wet labels are in the form of a single sheet. When labeling, the label needs to be placed in a box that transports labels, and then transported to a designated location through a conveyor belt. It is sucked up by a suction manipulator and then glue is applied for labeling. This process is relatively cumbersome and affects labeling efficiency. Self-adhesive labels are usually processed from roll to roll. The processed finished labels are in roll shape, which is more suitable for automatic labeling. When labeling, you only need to place the roll label on the automatic labeling machine, and then the labeling machine will automatically Transported to the designated labeling location to complete the labeling process. Since the self-adhesive material is backed by a backing paper and is not easy to break, the labeling speed is faster and more stable, which can greatly improve production efficiency.

03 Round/flat hot stamping and embossing technology highlight the theme

Self-adhesive labels can achieve online simultaneous hot stamping (cold hot stamping and hot stamping) during the printing process. Among them, hot bronzing has high brightness and strong metallic texture, while cold bronzing has fast speed and good bronzing effect for delicate graphics and text. The embossing process is a process in which a gypsum plate, resin plate or metal plate is used to emboss a specific pattern on the surface of the label material, so that the pattern is depressed or raised on the label surface. The most common application on removable wine labels is the manufacturer's LOGO or factory logo, which has a stronger three-dimensional effect and is more prominent, improving product quality and shelf effect.

04 Mechanical embossing technology highlights individuality

The embossing process refers to the process of using an embossing roller with a specific pattern to emboss a specific pattern or texture on the surface of the label material before/after printing. Many self-adhesive wine labels use this process during the printing process. The embossed labels are more elegant, simple and distinctive. In addition, the pattern of the embossing roller can be specially customized. Different manufacturers can use embossing rollers with different textures to emboss labels. On the one hand, it can make the label more personalized. On the other hand, because of the pattern of each embossing roller, There will be some difference, and it can have an anti-counterfeiting effect to a certain extent. You only need to add a specific secret mark when making the embossing roller.

05 There are many types of materials used for printing processing

Compared with wet glue labels, self-adhesive wine label materials have a wider selection of materials and can realize and display the beauty and function of wine labels in a more elegant form. For example, textured and natural wine label surface materials can well respond to consumers' needs for environmental protection, and shiny metallic effect wine label surface materials can cater to consumers' needs for fashion. In short, a wealth of self-adhesive label materials It can better match the unique brand appeal of winery customers. 

Can be produced in small batches and personalized

Currently, personalized winemaking experience is more popular in the wine market, that is, customers go to the manufacturer to customize wine privately. The output of this kind of wine will not be particularly large, and there will be less demand for purchasing labels and higher requirements for personalization. This self-adhesive wine label can be digitally printed to achieve variable information printing. With the popularization of laser die-cutting, digital die-cutting, digital hot stamping, and digital UV technology equipment, the post-printing processing problem of small batch labels has also been solved.

It is worth noting that in recent years, digital cold stamping technology has been widely used on self-adhesive wine labels. The so-called digital cold stamping technology combines digital printing and cold stamping technology, and uses digital printing equipment to spray UV composite glue onto the printing substrate. It is a process in which the surface of the object is combined with cold-hot anodized aluminum and UV-cured to form hot-stamping graphics and text. The biggest feature of this technology is that the hot stamping pattern on each label can be changed, and the glue thickness can reach a certain level. It can achieve the same packaging effect as traditional silk screen or embossing technology by reducing costs.

The application of anti-counterfeiting technology has obvious effects

We know that the anti-counterfeiting function has always been one of the most important functions for wine labels, and wine has higher anti-counterfeiting requirements due to its particularity. Anti-counterfeiting techniques commonly used for self-adhesive wine labels include:

01 Invisible ink

The so-called invisible ink means that the ink is colorless under normal light and develops colors under ultraviolet light, such as red, blue, green, etc. This kind of ink is often used to print secret marks on labels, that is, a pre-designed pattern is printed on a designated position on a wine label. When it is necessary to identify the authenticity of the product, an ultraviolet lamp is used to illuminate the designated position to reveal the pattern. It should be noted that invisible inks of common colors are relatively easy to buy in the market. There are certain risks in making anti-counterfeiting patterns. It is recommended that you communicate with the ink supplier to make the color of the invisible ink special, so as to achieve a relatively good effect. Anti-counterfeiting effect.

02 Variable QR code

Currently, some wine label manufacturers use digital printing to print variable QR codes on labels. After purchasing wine, consumers can scan the QR code to verify the authenticity of the product. The production cost of this method is relatively high. It can effectively prevent counterfeiting. In addition, relevant quality traceability information can also be added to the variable QR code, which can not only achieve anti-counterfeiting but also achieve quality traceability.

03 Unveiling the anti-counterfeiting materials with written characters

To prevent counterfeiting, special self-adhesive materials are used to print wine labels. When the label is peeled off, text will be left at the location where the label is attached, and the text content can be customized. This kind of label is usually used for wine sealing labels, and can also be used for bottle labels. The specific usage depends on customer needs. This kind of self-adhesive label material increases the difficulty and cost of counterfeiting, and can achieve a better anti-counterfeiting effect.

The above are several common anti-counterfeiting techniques used in self-adhesive wine labels. In actual production, for some high-end self-adhesive wine labels, a combination of multiple anti-counterfeiting technologies is often used, which greatly increases the cost and difficulty of counterfeiting and allows self-adhesive labels to be used. Wine labels act as a shield for your brand image.