Herma unveils self-adhesive material for laser-activatable labels

Herma has launched a new self-adhesive material developed specifically for inscription with CO2 lasers. Herma LAM (laser-activatable material code 920) is suitable for labels dispensed in inhospitable and dusty production environments. 

From the batch number, sell-by date and additional information for specific countries, to different languages and codes, the volume of data to be overprinted on product labels is growing continuously, meaning many label users want to identify more reliable, economical and flexible labeling methods – including the use of a CO2 laser for instance. Herma is now enabling label producers to benefit from this market potential. 

High-resolution labeling – even with small font sizes

The concentrated beam of light brings about a black color change in the special Herma material. The printed image produced on the material by the laser is always very sharp, whether plain text, a graphic and/or a code. The technique is said to ensure not only exact edge definition even with very small fonts, but also a print quality that is consistently outstanding which is rare in the case of thermal transfer printing, for example, because damage to the ribbon, soiling or residual cleaning fluid can impair the print sharpness of an EAN code. In comparison, laser marking enhances the reliability of the labeling process. 

The laser does not burn off any material so no vapors or smudgeable particles arise and the label is not damaged. It produces a non-smudge and scratch-resistant printed image. The protective coating means Herma LAM can be used for all applications requiring a solvent and grease resistant label paper. 

No additional consumables

The combination of labels made from Herma LAM and a CO2 laser allows flexible and individual labeling anywhere in the workflow – even outside of a production line and after the labels have been dispensed. Another advantage of this concept lies in the absence of any additional consumables. The idle times of the labeling systems can therefore also be reduced.

Pictured: Herma LAM (code 920) laser-activatable self-adhesive material has a special finish that allows a laser marker to apply black inscriptions in the designated place on the label 

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