Single labels

Single labels (also called individual labels) are ready-to-use labels that are individually cut out of a roll or sheet in shape and size.

Single labels are used for a variety of purposes, including the following:

• They are often used for advertising purposes. In this sense, single labels can be assimilated to stickers.
• They are used for decorative purposes (e.g. to decorate an item or a product). In this sense, single labels can be assimilated to decorative labels.
• They are used for informational purposes. In this case, the single label provides information about a certain item or product via a barcode, text, images or any other form of information.
• They are also used for packaging purposes. Here, the single label is applied on a package either manually or with the help of a labeling machine.

In order to manufacture single labels, two things are generally required: a computer powered with label software and a label printer or any other machine fit to print labels.

The label software is used in the design phase. As its name suggests, label software is nothing more than a computer program that allows the user to design labels as he wishes. Label software usually allows the user to upload pre-existing content (e.g. images, text), but also permits the creation of label elements such as barcodes, QR codes or data matrix codes.

Once the label is ready from a design point of view, it is printed with the help of a label printer and cut out of the roll or sheet. It can then be applied manually or using a special device such as a label dispenser.

The main advantage of single labels is that they are ready-to-use, meaning they can be directly applied on a product, item or package without having to first cut it out of the roll of sheet. This is particularly handy in case the label is intended to be used for advertising or decorative purposes.