How a label applicator machine applies a label: step by step

The product is placed on the conveyor and guided into position. A photoelectric sensor detects the product as it passes. The traction system pulls the backing liner so the label is peeled off over the plate and placed onto the product. A roller then presses the label flat.

The used liner is collected on the rewinder. The delay between the sensor and the label head is set on the control panel, which determines the position of the label. The head height is adjusted to suit the product so the label is applied smoothly, not dragged.

Two sensors operate together in the machine: the photoelectric sensor detects each product as it arrives, while a label sensor identifies the gap between labels on the liner. This ensures that exactly one label is applied to each product. The label sensor must detect a clear gap, otherwise labels may be missed or double-fed. On a packing line, if products touch and the gap closes, the photoelectric sensor sees them as one, so only one is labeled.

The label separates from the liner because the liner bends sharply around the plate, while the stiffer label continues straight. The leading edge of the label contacts the product first, and as the conveyor moves forward, the roller presses the rest of the label down. If the speeds of the label and product do not match, the label may crease or stretch, resulting in poor appearance or incomplete adhesion.

Two settings control label placement: the delay after the photoelectric sensor, which sets the position along the product, and the position of the head and guides, which set it across the product. After loading a new roll, always check the first few labels on actual products before running at full speed. This helps catch issues such as incorrect label placement or missed products, which can occur if sensors are misaligned or the delay is not set correctly.

Automatic labeling machine: floor-standing or tabletop

The A175LB is a floor-standing automatic labeling machine with its own frame and conveyor, labelling 40–120 items per minute and handling labels up to 175 mm wide. The T160LB is a tabletop label applicator machine designed to sit on a sturdy bench, labelling 30–80 items per minute and taking labels up to 160 mm wide.

Both models can label products 40–200 mm wide and 0.2–100 mm high. The A175LB accepts products up to 250 mm long, while the T160LB can take products up to 300 mm long. The A175LB requires a floor space of 1500 × 650 mm and stands 1400 mm high. The T160LB measures 1100 × 1000 × 800 mm and needs a bench at least that size. In summary, the A175LB is suited for higher output and wider labels, while the T160LB is ideal for products longer than 250 mm.

The main difference in daily operation is the machine’s placement. The A175LB stands on its own frame with a built-in conveyor, so it can operate independently or at the end of a packing line. The T160LB sits on a bench and has a shorter conveyor. For both machines, the operator places products on the conveyor and removes them after labelling. The A175LB is best for a fixed floor location, while the T160LB fits where bench space is available.

The quoted speeds of 40–120 items per minute for the A175LB and 30–80 for the T160LB are for short products and short labels. If you use longer products or labels, the cycle time increases and the actual output will be lower. For instance, labelling a 300 mm tray with a 250 mm label on the T160LB will result in a speed well below 80 items per minute.

Some limits are fixed. If your product is longer than 250 mm, only the T160LB can handle it, as the A175LB is limited to 250 mm product length. If your label is wider than 160 mm, only the A175LB can apply it, since the T160LB is limited to 160 mm width. Both machines accept label lengths of 6–250 mm, product widths of 40–200 mm and heights of 0.2–100 mm, and both achieve label placement within ±1 mm.

Both machines connect to a standard 110 V or 220 V socket and do not require compressed air. This means there is no need for an air supply or special electrical installation at the packing station. In a production area, this makes it straightforward to move or install the machine as long as the bench or floor space is suitable.

Changeover to a different product is the same for both models. Adjust the guides for the new product width, set the head height, and adjust the delay for the new label position. If the T160LB covers your product sizes, label width and speed up to 80 items per minute, the extra speed and label width of the A175LB are not required.

Compare A175LB and T160LB at a glance

The table below shows the main specifications of the Automatic Labeling Machine A175LB and the Tabletop automatic labeling machine T160LB. Both offer the same accuracy and label length; speed, label width, product length, power and size differ.

To use the comparison table, begin by checking the size of your product. If your item is longer than 250 mm, only the T160LB is suitable. Next, look at the width of your label: if it is wider than 160 mm, only the A175LB can apply it. Then compare the number of items you need to label per hour with the speed of each machine. Finally, ensure the machine’s dimensions fit your available floor or bench space.

What a box labeling machine can and cannot label

Both machines apply labels to the top surface of boxes, cartons, trays, pouches, cards, sleeves and lids, from cards as thin as 0.2 mm up to boxes 100 mm high. Typical uses include shipping and address labels, barcodes, product and ingredient labels, and batch or date labels. At the end of a packing line, either machine serves as a label applicator for boxes, placing the label in the same position on each carton.

They cannot label round items such as jars or bottles. Labelling a round product requires it to rotate under the applicator head, which a flat surface labeling machine does not do. These machines are designed for anything with a flat top, from pouches to cartons.

The area where the label is applied must be flat. If the top is domed, has a seam, or a bulge beneath the label, this may cause creasing or air bubbles. For instance, a pouch with a zipper seam across the top can result in wrinkled labels. A flat carton or tray gives the best finish, as the roller presses the label down evenly.

Very light items, such as empty pouches or thin cards, require careful guiding. If the product is too light, the roller may push it out of position, resulting in skewed labels. On a packing line, guides are needed to keep these products steady as they pass under the applicator. For example, labelling a card just 0.2 mm thick means the guides must be set close together to prevent movement.

The size limits are set by the machine’s design. Both models handle products 40–200 mm wide and up to 100 mm high. Anything wider than 200 mm will not fit between the guides, and a box taller than 100 mm will not pass under the applicator. For example, a carton 220 mm wide cannot be labelled by either machine.

If each carton requires a different label, such as for shipping addresses, the labels on the roll must be in the same sequence as the cartons. The machine applies labels in the order they appear on the roll, so if the order is incorrect, the wrong label will be applied. In a warehouse, this means careful handling of both products and label rolls to keep them matched.

The placement accuracy of ±1 mm is suitable for barcode or brand labels on retail packaging. This ensures the label is positioned identically on every item, so a barcode scanner can read it reliably. For example, if a barcode is too close to the edge or not straight, it may not scan, causing extra work.

Choosing the right type of labeling machine for your product

A labeling machine can be a flat or top labeller, a side labeller, a wrap-around labeller, a front-and-back labeller, or a print-and-apply machine. Flat or top labellers apply labels to the top surface of products moving along a conveyor. Side labellers apply them to the side of a box or flat container. Wrap-around labellers rotate a round product, such as a can or jar, while the label is applied around it. Front-and-back labellers apply labels to two sides in one pass, and print-and-apply machines print each label—such as a shipping label with an address—immediately before application.

The next decision is between semi-automatic and automatic machines. With a semi-automatic machine, the operator places each product and starts the cycle. With an automatic machine, a conveyor moves the products through and the machine labels each one as its photo eye detects it. Both A175LB and T160LB are automatic top labellers, suitable as industrial labeling machines on a packing line.

Begin by considering your product and where the label needs to be placed. If the label is required on a flat top surface, a top labeller such as A175LB or T160LB is appropriate. If the label must go on a round item, like a jar or can, a wrap-around machine is necessary. For labelling the side of a carton, a side labeller is suitable. To label two opposite faces in one pass, a front-and-back labeller is used. When each label must display different information, such as a shipping address, a print-and-apply machine prints each label just before it is applied.

Semi-automatic machines are used for small batches or for products that cannot be moved on a conveyor. The operator positions each item and starts the cycle. The speed depends on the operator, so output varies. Automatic machines, such as A175LB and T160LB, are suited to larger runs of the same product. Here, the operator loads products, changes label rolls and monitors the output, while the machine applies each label as it detects the product.

Pre-printed label rolls are used for batches where the label content does not change. If each label is different, for example a shipping label with a unique address, a print-and-apply machine prints and applies each label in sequence. On a packing line, this ensures the label data always matches the product as it passes.

A top labeller such as A175LB or T160LB applies labels only to the flat top surface. It does not label the side, bottom, or a curved surface. If your product requires a label on the side or a wrap-around label, a different type of machine is needed. Sometimes, a product passes through two machines in sequence to label different faces.

In practice, the choice between semi-automatic and automatic machines depends on batch size and workflow. A small batch of a few hundred trays can be labelled on a semi-automatic machine, while a packing line running all shift requires an automatic machine that can keep up and free staff for other tasks.

When a labeling machine is cost-effective

A labeling machine is worthwhile when hand labelling slows down packing, or when staff who label are needed elsewhere. It is also justified when every label must be in the same position, such as a barcode to be scanned later, or a brand label that must look identical on every pack.

To determine the speed you require, divide the number of items to be labelled in one shift by the number of minutes in that shift. Allow extra time for changing rolls and product changeovers, then compare this figure with the 30–80 pieces per minute of T160LB and 40–120 of A175LB.

Hand labelling causes label positions to drift as staff tire during a shift, and the pace slows over time. A machine places each label in the same spot, from the first to the last item in a shift. This is important for barcode labels, where the scanner expects the code in a consistent location.

For example, if you need to label 7,200 items in an 8-hour shift, divide 7,200 by 480 minutes to get 15 items per minute. Both A175LB and T160LB can label well above this rate, so the decision is about label and product size, not speed. On a packing line, this means the machine will not be the limiting factor.

Each time you change a roll, the machine stops. Using larger rolls reduces the number of changes: the T160LB can take rolls up to 260 mm in diameter. This is especially useful for long production runs at high speed, as it means less downtime.

If a label is applied incorrectly or a barcode does not scan, the pack must be reprocessed, which increases costs. Consistent label placement removes this extra handling. For very small batches or frequent product changes, manual labelling or a simple dispenser may be sufficient, and a machine may not be cost-effective.

Which labels a labeling machine uses

The machine is designed for self-adhesive, die-cut labels on a continuous liner, with a small gap between each label, supplied on a roll. It detects each label by this gap. The roll must match the machine’s requirements: check the maximum roll diameter, core size and winding direction. The T160LB accepts rolls up to 260 mm in diameter, with a core of at least 75 mm.

You can continue using your existing labels if they are die-cut on a liner and the roll size, core and winding direction are suitable for the machine; your label supplier can confirm this. The adhesive must be appropriate for the surface: cold, damp, dusty or greasy surfaces, and film packaging, may require a specialist adhesive, which your supplier will select for the application.

When ordering labels, record the label size, the gap between labels, the core size, the maximum roll diameter and the winding direction needed for your machine. Label suppliers use standard codes for winding direction, so request the one your machine requires. Keep the supplier’s label specification with the machine to ensure every reorder matches the original format.

The machine locates each label by the gap between them. If this gap is too small or uneven, the sensor may miss a label or feed two at once. This can result in two labels on one product or a product without a label. Always ensure your labels have a clear, consistent gap on the liner.

The manufacturer recommends a glassine liner, which is thin, smooth and strong. This type of liner bends cleanly around the peeling plate and resists tearing as it is pulled by the drive. A poor-quality liner or one weakened by the die-cut may tear, causing stoppages and label waste.

Paper labels are suitable for cartons in dry environments, as they adhere well and are easy to print. Film labels are preferred for packs that may become wet, cold or are squeezed, as film does not absorb water or tear easily.

Store label rolls in their box at room temperature. Cold labels do not stick well, and damp conditions can cause paper labels to curl.

Before placing a large order, run a sample roll on your own product and check that the labels peel off smoothly, adhere after a day, and that the corners do not lift.

Labelling or printing directly onto the box

A labeling machine applies pre-printed labels. If each label needs unique data, such as an address, the labels are printed in advance or a print-and-apply system is used. If only a date, batch number or short code is required, a thermal inkjet printer can print this information directly onto a cardboard box, removing the need for a label.

A label can display multiple colours, a large logo and extensive text. A code printed directly onto the box with a thermal inkjet printer is single-colour and up to 12.7 mm high per print head, which is suitable for a batch code, short date or small logo, but not for large graphics or a full product description.

Printing directly onto the box means you only need to purchase ink, with no liner waste to dispose of. Every label applied by a machine leaves a liner as waste, and direct printing also removes the need to keep label rolls in various formats. Many packers use both methods: a pre-printed product label for branding, and a date or batch code printed onto the box or label by a coder on the line.

What affects the price of a label applicator machine

The price of a label applicator machine is determined by its hourly output, the maximum label width, and whether it is free-standing with a conveyor or designed for a bench. The A175LB leads in all three: up to 120 pieces per minute, labels up to 175 mm wide, and its own frame and conveyor. The T160LB is a bench-top model, handles up to 80 pieces per minute, takes labels up to 160 mm wide and is less expensive.

The current price of each labeling machine is shown on its product card above. Neither machine requires compressed air: both operate from a 110 V or 220 V supply. Both are supplied with a 12-month warranty.

The A175LB comes with its own frame and conveyor, so it stands independently on the floor. The T160LB requires a sturdy, level bench at least 1100 × 1000 mm. If you do not already have a suitable bench, consider the cost of one. In a production area, this may involve rearranging existing benches or adding a new one to accommodate the machine.

Both machines are straightforward to install. They run from a standard 110 V or 220 V socket, with no need for compressed air or a three-phase supply. This keeps installation costs low, as there is no need to install new lines or upgrade your power supply. In a warehouse, you can position the machine near the packing area without additional work.

If the T160LB meets your requirements for speed and label width, the additional capacity of the A175LB is unnecessary. The A175LB is intended for situations where your output is approaching more than 80 pieces per minute or you require labels wider than 160 mm. For example, if your output is 60 pieces per minute and your labels are 100 mm wide, the T160LB is suitable. If you expect to increase to 100 pieces per minute, the A175LB provides room for expansion.

The main running cost for both machines is the labels; the machine itself is a one-off purchase. For pricing, use the Get offer button on the product card. To request prices for several machines, use the Add to inquiry button to combine them into a single request.

What to check before ordering a labeling machine

Before ordering, measure the product’s length, width and height, and ensure the top surface is flat. Measure the label’s length and width, the roll’s outer diameter and core, and confirm the required pieces per minute. Decide where the label should be positioned on the product.

Check the direction of your production line, as both A175LB and T160LB operate left to right. Ensure you have sufficient floor or bench space for the machine and the correct power supply: both models run from 110 V or 220 V and do not require compressed air. The comparison table above shows which model matches your requirements.

Measure the largest and smallest products you will label, as the guides and head are adjusted for each. Note which products vary in height, as the head height is set for each product. For instance, if you label both a 50 mm high tray and a 100 mm high box, you will need to adjust the head each time you switch.

Record where the label should be placed on each product, as a distance from the front edge and from the side. These measurements are set as the delay and the head position. In practice, this allows you to set up the machine quickly for each product, reducing trial and error.

Both machines operate left to right. If your packing flow is in the opposite direction, plan the machine’s position so that products still enter from its left side. In a packing area, this may mean turning the machine or rearranging the line to suit the flow.

Plan the workflow around the machine: where products arrive from, where they go after labelling, who loads the machine and where label rolls are stored. Keep a sample roll of your labels and products of each size available for the initial setup. This makes it easier to adjust the guides, head and delay using actual items from the start.

Setting up and maintaining an automatic label applicator

Adjust the guides so the product runs parallel to the label tape, and set the head height so the label is applied flat to the product. The delay between the photo eye and the head determines where the label is placed: set this on the control panel and check the result on an actual product. The labels are self-adhesive and supplied on a roll with a liner.

For maintenance, remove any paper scraps and clean the rollers and electrical box with alcohol or a neutral cleaner—never use acidic cleaners or abrasive tools. Gently brush the sensor lens, replace the fuse when necessary, and keep the steel parts lightly oiled to prevent rust. The machine should be operated at room temperature, away from moisture and fumes.

There are two common faults with known causes. A torn liner can result from poor quality liner, a die-cut that cuts into the liner, scratches in the feed path, or labels sticking together; the manufacturer recommends using a glassine liner. A skewed label is usually caused by the label tape not being parallel to the conveyor, loose tape, a slipping drive wheel, or inconsistent product detection.

When loading a new roll, feed the label tape from the roll over the guide rollers to the peeling plate. The liner then passes around the traction roller to the rewinder. The tape must be threaded tightly and parallel to the conveyor. If the tape is loose or misaligned, labels may be applied crookedly or the liner could tear. Always check the tape path before starting the machine.

Setting up for a new product involves three steps: adjust the guides to the product width, set the head height to the product height, and run a sample product to see where the label is placed. Adjust the delay in small increments until the label is positioned correctly. If the label is too close to the front edge, increase the delay; if it is too far back, decrease the delay.

Record the guide width, head height and delay for each product you process. When switching back to that product, you can set up in minutes without trial and error. On a production floor, keeping a setup sheet for each product saves time and reduces errors.

Adhesive can build up on the edge of the peeling plate and the rollers over time. This buildup may cause labels to stick incorrectly or be applied crookedly. Clean these parts regularly as part of routine maintenance, using alcohol or a neutral cleaner. Never use acidic cleaners or abrasive tools, as these can damage the machine.

Empty the wound liner from the rewinder regularly, before the waste roll becomes too large. If the liner roll is allowed to grow too big, it may jam or put extra strain on the drive, which could tear the liner. In a packing line, set a routine to remove the waste liner at each roll change.

Other faults may occur. Two labels on one product or a product without a label usually indicate an issue with the label sensor. Clean the sensor lens and check the gap between labels. If a label is positioned too far forward or back, check the delay setting. Creased labels may be due to incorrect head height or a mismatch between the label and product speeds.

Labels adhere best at room temperature, which is also the ideal condition for the machine. Cold labels or a cold machine can result in poor adhesion. Keep both the machine and labels in a dry, room-temperature environment, away from moisture and fumes, for optimal results.

Questions about labeling machines

How many products per hour can a labeling machine process?

The A175LB applies labels to 40–120 items per minute, or 2 400–7 200 per hour. The T160LB handles 30–80 items per minute, or 1 800–4 800 per hour. The actual rate depends on the size of both the product and the label.

What label sizes are supported by these labeling machines?

Both machines accept self-adhesive labels from 6–250 mm in length, supplied on a roll with a liner. The A175LB accommodates label widths up to 175 mm, while the T160LB supports widths up to 160 mm.

What power supply do these labeling machines require?

Both models operate on 110 V or 220 V, 50–60 Hz. The A175LB uses 400 W, and the T160LB uses approximately 765 W. No compressed air is required.

What is the placement accuracy of these labeling machines?

Both the A175LB and T160LB apply labels with an accuracy of ±1 mm, depending on the product. The product must move steadily along the guides, and the label tape should remain tight and parallel to the conveyor.