A look inside our Lab: How we validated a new label material for a client in one week
The Hally Labels laboratory, based at our Christchurch plant, allows us to provide an unparalleled research and development service for clients. Here we detail how our specialised team replicate our client’s production process to test and trial materials that eliminate label creasing and enhance on-pack presentation.
Cerebos are an innovative sauce, spice and food manufacturing organisation. Cerebos wanted to make improvements to one of their sauce filling and bottling lines and were aware that the change in process may have a flow on effect to the labels, and how they presented on the bottles. They needed specialist labelling help to determine the best specifications for their labels. We promptly called in our technical team, who developed a testing program to solve the problem in our laboratory in just one week.
We successfully replicated Cerebos’ new filling process in-house, and tested a range of label material options – quickly identifying that the existing material would not be suitable. The two top performers in our replicated lab tests were fit-for-purpose alternatives and looked great after application. Both options were recommended to Cerebos and production trials were undertaken which validated our test results.
Let’s take a deeper look at what happened in the lab during that week…
- Our team of experienced technologists devised a formal test method to simulate the new filling process.
- A selection of new materials were identified that we considered best suited to the new application. The existing material construction was also to be included in the testing.
- Physical label samples of each material construction were cut out via our digital die-cutting machine.
- Replicates of each material were then applied to sample containers supplied by our client.
- ‘Before’ photos were taken of each container prior to filling.
- Our simulation of the new filling process was successful and the testing procedure was replicated several times until we had a credible result.
- Photos were taken to document the effect of the replicated trial process.
- A comprehensive test report was compiled for discussion with Cerebos.
The top performing material from the lab tests is now commercially in use by Cerebos for this application. Our successful testing program provided peace-of-mind to our client, and ensured their bottling line improvements were seamless.
Our experienced technologists use specialist and customised equipment specific to labels to perform a wide range of standard and proprietary tests. If you are having label issues, thinking about altering your labelling process, or wanting to seamlessly change a material construction, we can help.
Our team of label experts are uniquely qualified to solve your labelling challenge and would be delighted to work with you. Please contact us to learn more about our laboratory or our labelling capabilities.
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