5 Hurdles Manual Label Applicators Commonly Face

Many small businesses start off using manual label applicator technology for their product packaging. While a manual labeler may be enough to get your first production run off the ground, it is not a sustainable way for most businesses to operate due to the limitations of the labeling technology.

Here are five hurdles that companies with manual labelers frequently face.

1. Inefficient - Definitely one of the biggest downsides of using a manual labeler is the fact that it is not a very smooth operation. Having to manually pick up, label, and move each product that comes off your line is a slow process. It limits the speed that you are able to produce at and multiplies the amount of physical labor your team has to do. It also doesn't provide a very simple way for packing to happen without hand packaging each case. 
   
   
2. Inconsistent - In the early stages of your business, quality is a must-have. The problem with a manual label applicator is that it's hard to get consistent quality and placement out of your labels. No two labels will land in the same place, and you are more likely to have bubbles, rips, and tears that reduce the appearance of your product on the shelf.
   
   
3. Limited Label Options - Another common problem with using a manual label applicator is that they limit your options for labels. The size, type of paper and type of ink on your labels will all be affected by the type of manual labeler you are using. 
   
   
4. Limited Growth Potential - Naturally, any business owner wants to see their operation grow over time. Unfortunately, with a manual labeler, it quickly becomes apparent that the only way to scale your production is to spend more and more time labeling things by hand. Either you need to allot extra hours to the task, or you need to hire more help to handle it. Either way, the move to an automatic labeler is a smart move. 
   
   
5. Poor Performance - The manual label applicator has never been an exact science. In fact, it isn't uncommon for labels to get jammed in the labeler's rollers, or for multiple labels to get stuck together. Since these are not precision devices, they don't hold the label roll quite taut enough to maintain pressure. The time and money you spend throwing out and fixing labels can be a burden. 

There are many reasons that people choose to use automated labeling technology today. Automatic labelers have gotten smaller and more advanced, so you can now choose from a wide variety of printing materials and label dimensions. In addition, computerized placement technology ensures that all of your labels are placed accurately the first time without tearing or missing glue. Don't let the limitations of manual label applicators keep you from expanding your business.