Is Your Food Clamshell Labeler Any Good? 9 Ways You Can Be Certain.

You've been relying on your clamshell labeler to get your products packaged, but you're starting to notice that all isn't well. How do you know if the problem lies with your clamshell labeler or if there is an outside factor bringing you down? Here are nine things to look for when determining if your clamshell labeler is all it's cracked up to be.

1. Machine Quality

If you rushed out to buy the first clamshell labeler that you found under your budget, you may have realized that it was not the highest quality piece of equipment. Oftentimes, companies buy older labeling equipment assuming that it will get the job done only to realize that labeling equipment has advanced drastically in the last few years to include more precise label placement and quality control features. If your machine is outdated and can't keep up with modern options, it's time to upgrade.

2. Container Quality

The next step is to look at your containers. Even small inconsistencies in the finish and quality of your containers can have a large impact on the way your labels adhere. If you cut costs by ordering cheap containers, you may have to revisit them to see if they are preventing your machine from working properly.

3. Label Quality

Similar to your containers, if your labels are poorly made, they may not be living up to expectations. In some cases the adhesive on your labels is not uniform which causes your labels not to stick to your containers correctly. Review your labels closely to determine whether or not they are the problem.

4. Flexibility

Everything was going fine when you were only focused on getting one product out the door, but once you expanded to multiple product lines you realize the limitations of your clamshell labeler. If it is difficult to change containers, or label reels, it might be time for an upgrade.

5. Extendability

Has your clamshell labeler reached its full potential? Many of the newest labeling machines are designed using modular concepts that make them extendable. This allows you to add or subtract pieces to create the perfect configuration for any product run with ease.

6. Growth Potential

This is another area where you may have outgrown your labeling equipment. If it is already running at max capacity and you need more, your only option is to turn to a faster machine. Before you buy, make sure you understand how much room you have to grow with your machine.

7. Date Printing

Many older machines require separate equipment or processes to date stamp your products. Today, this equipment is often built in so that you can run your clamshells in a single pass and move on to the next task. This frees up space and time in your warehouse.

8. Consistency

Consistent labels are the key to building a solid brand. If your labeler is not producing consistent results over time, it's a sign that there's something wrong. With modern laser guided and computerized systems you can get better results every single time without the need to adjust your machine constantly.

9. Smooth Application

Over the last few years we have also learned a lot about making labels adhere smoothly and keeping them from peeling up. If you are battling wrinkles in your labels, you may need to move to a machine with a more advanced label smoothing system.

Whatever problems you're facing with your clamshell labeler, these nine factors provide a baseline of what you should be looking for. Ultimately, great labeling requires a combination of good equipment, good containers and good labels. If any one of these three elements is off, you will start seeing a variety of problems with your products. Before you spend another day struggling with your clamshell labeler, contact Pack Leader USA and see what we can do for you today!