How a label applicator machine applies a label: step by step

The product is placed on the conveyor and guided into position. A photoelectric sensor detects the product as it passes. The traction system pulls the liner so the label peels off at the peeling plate and lands on the product. A roller then presses the label flat.

The empty liner is collected on the rewinder. The delay between the sensor and the label head is set using the control panel, determining the exact placement of the label. The head height is adjusted to match the product so the label is applied smoothly, not dragged.

Two sensors work together in the machine: the photoelectric sensor detects each product as it arrives, while a label sensor identifies the gap between labels on the liner. This ensures the machine dispenses exactly one label per product. The label sensor must detect a clear gap, or it may skip or double-feed labels. On a packing line, if products are too close and touch, the sensor sees them as one, so only one is labeled.

The label separates from the liner because the liner bends sharply around the peeling plate, while the stiffer label continues straight. The front edge of the label first contacts the product, and as the conveyor moves the product forward, the roller presses the rest of the label down. If the speeds of the label and product do not match, the label may wrinkle or stretch, causing poor appearance or incomplete adhesion.

Two adjustments determine label placement: the delay after the photoelectric sensor, which sets the position along the product, and the position of the head and guides, which set it across the product. After loading a new roll, always check the first few labels on actual products before running at full speed. This helps catch issues like incorrect label placement or missed products, which can occur if sensors are misaligned or the delay is set incorrectly.

Automatic labeling machine: floor-standing or tabletop

The A175LB is a floor-standing automatic labeling machine with its own frame and conveyor. It labels 40–120 pieces per minute and handles labels up to 175 mm wide. The T160LB is a tabletop label applicator machine designed to sit on a sturdy bench. It labels 30–80 pieces per minute and supports labels up to 160 mm wide.

Both models can label products 40–200 mm wide and 0.2–100 mm high. The A175LB accepts products up to 250 mm long, while the T160LB handles products up to 300 mm. The A175LB requires 1500 × 650 mm of floor space and stands 1400 mm tall. The T160LB measures 1100 × 1000 × 800 mm and needs a bench at least that size. In summary, choose the A175LB for higher throughput and wider labels, and the T160LB for products longer than 250 mm.

The main difference in daily operation is where the machine is placed. The A175LB stands on its own frame with a built-in conveyor, so it can operate independently or at the end of a packing line. The T160LB sits on a bench and has a shorter conveyor. For both machines, the operator places products on the conveyor along the guides and removes them after labeling. The A175LB is suited for a fixed floor location, while the T160LB fits where a bench is available.

The speeds of 40–120 pieces per minute for the A175LB and 30–80 for the T160LB apply to short products and short labels. If you run longer products or longer labels, the cycle time increases and actual output is lower. For example, labeling a 300 mm tray with a 250 mm label on the T160LB will run well below 80 pieces per minute.

Some limits are fixed. If your product is longer than 250 mm, only the T160LB can handle it, since the A175LB is limited to 250 mm product length. If your label is wider than 160 mm, only the A175LB can apply it, as the T160LB supports up to 160 mm wide. Both machines handle label lengths from 6–250 mm, product widths of 40–200 mm, heights of 0.2–100 mm, and both apply labels with ±1 mm accuracy.

Both machines connect to a standard 110 V or 220 V outlet and do not require compressed air. This means you do not need to install an air line or special power supply at the packing station. In a production area, this makes it easy to move or set up the machine as long as the bench or floor space is suitable.

Changeover to a different product is the same for both models. Adjust the guides to the new product width, set the head height for the new product, and adjust the delay for the new label position. If the T160LB meets your product sizes, label width, and speed up to 80 pieces per minute, the higher speed and wider label capacity of the A175LB are not needed.

Compare A175LB and T160LB at a glance

The table below compares the main specifications of the Automatic Labeling Machine A175LB and the Tabletop automatic labeling machine T160LB. Both offer the same accuracy and label length range; speed, label width, product length, power, and size differ.

To use the comparison table, start by checking your product size. If your product is longer than 250 mm, only the T160LB will fit. Next, look at your label width: if your label is wider than 160 mm, only the A175LB can apply it. Then, compare how many pieces you need to label per hour with the speed of each labeling machine. Finally, make sure the machine’s size fits your available floor or bench space.

What a box labeling machine can and cannot label

Both models label the top surface of boxes, cartons, trays, pouches, cards, sleeves, and lids, from a card 0.2 mm thick up to a box 100 mm high. Typical uses include shipping and address labels, barcodes, product and ingredient labels, and batch or date labels. At the end of a packing line, either model serves as a label applicator for boxes and applies the label in the same spot on every carton.

They cannot label round products like jars or bottles. Round items must be rotated under the label head as the label is applied, and a flat surface labeling machine is not designed for this. These machines are made for anything with a flat top surface, from pouches to cartons.

The surface where the label is applied must be flat. If the top is domed, has a seam, or a bulge under the label, you may get creases or air bubbles. For example, a pouch with a zipper seam across the top can cause the label to wrinkle. A flat carton or tray gives the best results, since the roller can press the label down evenly.

Very light products, like empty pouches or thin cards, need careful guiding. If the product is too light, the roller may push it out of position, causing crooked labels. On a packing line, guides must keep these products steady as they pass under the label head. For example, labeling a card 0.2 mm thick requires the guides to be set close together so the card stays in place.

The size limits are set by the machine’s design. Both models handle products 40–200 mm wide and up to 100 mm high. A product wider than 200 mm will not fit between the guides, and a box taller than 100 mm will not pass under the head. For example, a carton 220 mm wide cannot be labeled by either model.

When each carton needs a different label, such as for shipping addresses, the labels on the roll must be in the same order as the cartons. The machine applies labels in the order they come on the roll, so if the order is off, the wrong label will go on the carton. In a warehouse, this means you need to handle both products and label rolls carefully to keep them matched.

The placement accuracy of ±1 mm is what you need for barcode or brand labels on retail packaging. This accuracy ensures the label is in the same spot on every item, so a barcode scanner can read it without searching. For example, if the barcode is too close to the edge or crooked, it might not scan, which means extra handling.

Which type of labeling machine fits your product

A labeling machine can be a flat or top labeler, a side labeler, a wrap-around labeler, a front-and-back labeler, or a print-and-apply machine. Flat or top labeling machines apply labels to the top surface of a product moving on a conveyor. Side labeling machines apply labels to the side of a box or flat container. Wrap-around labeling machines rotate a round product, like a can or jar, as the label is applied. Front-and-back labeling machines apply labels to two sides in one pass, and print-and-apply machines print each label—such as a shipping label with an address—right before applying it.

The next choice is between semi-automatic and automatic. With a semi-automatic machine, the operator places each product and starts each cycle. With an automatic machine, a conveyor moves the products through, and the machine labels each one as its photo eye detects it. Both A175LB and T160LB are automatic top labeling machines: each serves as an industrial labeling machine on a packing line.

Start by looking at your product and where the label needs to go. If the label is on a flat top surface, a top labeler like the A175LB or T160LB is the right choice. If the label needs to go on a round product, such as a jar or can, a wrap-around machine is required. For the side of a carton, a side labeler is suitable. To label two opposite faces in one pass, use a front-and-back labeler. When each label must show different information, such as a shipping address, a print-and-apply machine prints each label just before applying it.

Semi-automatic machines are used for small batches or for products that cannot move on a conveyor. The operator places each item and starts the cycle. The speed depends on the operator, so output varies. Automatic machines, like the A175LB and T160LB, are best when the same product is labeled in larger quantities. Here, the operator loads products, changes label rolls, and checks the output, but the machine applies each label as it detects the product.

Pre-printed label rolls are used for batches where the label content stays the same. If each label is different, such as a shipping label with a unique address, a print-and-apply machine prints and applies each label in sequence. On a packing line, this ensures the label data always matches the product as it passes.

A top labeler like the A175LB or T160LB applies labels only to the flat top surface. It does not label the side, the bottom, or a round surface. If your product needs a label on the side or a wrap-around label, a different machine type is needed. Sometimes, a product goes through two machines in sequence to label different faces.

In practice, the choice between semi-automatic and automatic depends on batch size and workflow. A small run of a few hundred trays can be labeled on a semi-automatic machine, while a packing line running all shift needs an automatic machine that can keep up and free up staff for other tasks.

When a labeling machine pays off

A labeling machine is worth the investment when hand labeling slows down packing, or when staff who label are needed elsewhere. It also pays off when every label must be in the same position: for example, a barcode that will be scanned later, or a brand label that must look the same on every pack.

To find the speed you need, divide the number of pieces labeled in one shift by the number of minutes in that shift. Allow extra time for roll changes and product changeovers, then compare your result with the 30–80 pieces per minute of the T160LB and 40–120 of the A175LB.

Hand labeling causes label positions to drift as people get tired during a shift. The pace also drops over time. A machine puts every label in the same spot, from the first to the last piece in a shift. This is important for barcode labels, where the scanner expects the code in a fixed position.

For example, if you need to label 7,200 pieces in an 8-hour shift, divide 7,200 by 480 minutes to get 15 pieces per minute. Both the A175LB and T160LB can label much more than that, so the decision is not about speed but about the size of the label and product. On a packing line, this means the machine will not be the bottleneck.

Every time you change a roll, the machine stops. Using larger rolls means fewer stops: the T160LB can handle rolls up to 260 mm in diameter. For long production runs, this reduces downtime, especially when running at high speeds.

If a label is applied in the wrong spot or a barcode does not scan, the package needs to be reworked, which increases costs. Consistent label placement eliminates this extra handling. For very small batches or frequent product changes, hand labeling or a simple dispenser may be enough, and a machine might not be cost-effective.

Labels compatible with a labeling machine

The machine uses self-adhesive, die-cut labels on a continuous liner, with a small gap between each label, wound on a roll. It detects each label by sensing this gap. The roll must fit the machine: check the maximum roll diameter, core size, and winding direction. The T160LB accepts rolls up to 260 mm in diameter, with a core of at least 75 mm.

You can keep using your current labels if they are die-cut on a liner and the roll, core, and winding direction match the machine; your label supplier can confirm this. The adhesive must be right for the surface: cold, damp, dusty, or greasy surfaces and film packaging may require a special adhesive, which your label supplier can recommend.

When ordering labels, record the label size, the gap between labels, the core size, the maximum roll diameter, and the winding direction required by your machine. Label suppliers use standard codes for winding direction, so specify the one your machine needs. Keep the supplier’s label specification with the machine to ensure every reorder matches the original format.

The machine detects each label by the gap between them. If the gap is too small or uneven, the sensor may miss a label or feed two at once. This can result in two labels on one product or a product with no label. Always make sure your labels have a clear, consistent gap on the liner.

The manufacturer recommends a glassine liner, which is thin, smooth, and strong. This type of liner bends smoothly around the peeling plate and resists tearing as it is pulled by the drive. A poor-quality liner or one weakened by the die-cut can tear, causing the machine to stop and wasting labels.

Paper labels are suitable for cartons in dry environments because they adhere well and are easy to print. Film labels are used for packages that may get wet, cold, or squeezed, since film does not absorb water or tear easily.

Store label rolls in their box at room temperature. Cold labels do not stick well, and humidity can cause paper labels to curl.

Before placing a large order, test a sample roll on your actual product. Make sure the labels peel off cleanly, stay attached after a day, and the corners do not lift.

Applying labels or printing directly on the box

A labeling machine applies pre-printed labels. If each label needs unique data, such as an address, the labels are printed first or a print-and-apply system is used. If you only need to add a date, batch number, or short code, a thermal inkjet printer can print directly onto a cardboard box, eliminating the need for a label.

A label can display multiple colors, a large logo, and detailed text. A code printed directly onto the box with a thermal inkjet printer is single color and up to 12.7 mm high per print head. This is enough for a batch code, short date, or small logo, but not for large graphics or a full product description.

Printing directly onto the box means you only need to buy ink, and there is no liner waste to dispose of. Every label applied by a machine generates liner waste, and direct printing also eliminates the need to keep label rolls in different formats. Many packers use both methods: a pre-printed product label for branding, and a date or batch code printed onto the box or label by a coder on the line.

What affects the price of a label applicator machine

The price of a label applicator machine depends on its hourly output, the maximum label width, and whether it is freestanding with a conveyor or designed for a bench. The A175LB leads in all three: up to 120 pieces per minute, labels up to 175 mm wide, and its own frame and conveyor. The T160LB is a bench-top model, handles up to 80 pieces per minute, takes labels up to 160 mm wide, and is less expensive.

The current price for each labeling machine is shown on its product card above. Neither machine requires compressed air; both operate on a 110 V or 220 V supply. Both include a 12-month warranty.

The A175LB comes with its own frame and conveyor, so it stands alone on the floor. The T160LB requires a sturdy, level bench at least 1100 × 1000 mm. If you do not already have a suitable bench, include the cost of one. In a production area, this may mean rearranging existing benches or adding a new one to fit the machine.

Both machines are easy to install. They plug into a standard 110 V or 220 V outlet, with no need for compressed air or a three-phase connection. This keeps installation costs low, since you do not need to add new lines or upgrade your power supply. In a warehouse, you can set up the machine near the packing area without extra work.

If the T160LB meets your speed and label width requirements, the extra capacity of the A175LB is not needed. The A175LB is intended for operations growing beyond 80 pieces per minute or needing labels wider than 160 mm. For example, if you produce 60 pieces per minute and use 100 mm wide labels, the T160LB is suitable. If you plan to increase to 100 pieces per minute, the A175LB provides room for expansion.

The main running cost for both machines is the labels; the machine itself is a one-time investment. For pricing, use the Get offer button on the product card. To request prices for multiple machines, use the Add to inquiry button to combine them into one request.

What to check before ordering a labeling machine

Before ordering, measure your product’s length, width, and height, and make sure the top surface is flat. Measure the label’s length and width, the roll’s outer diameter and core, and confirm the required pieces per minute. Decide exactly where the label should be placed on the product.

Check the direction of your production line, as both A175LB and T160LB operate left to right. Make sure you have enough floor or bench space and the correct power supply: both models work with 110 V or 220 V and do not require compressed air. The comparison table above shows which model matches your needs.

Measure the largest and smallest products you will label, since the guides and head are adjusted for each. Note which products vary in height, as the head height is set for each product. For example, if you label both a 50 mm high tray and a 100 mm high box, you will need to adjust the head each time you switch.

Write down the exact label position for each product, measured from the front edge and from the side. These measurements are set as the delay and head position. This allows you to set up the machine quickly for each product, reducing trial and error.

Both machines run left to right. If your packing line moves in the opposite direction, plan the machine’s placement so products still enter from the left. In a packing area, this may require turning the machine or rearranging the line to match the flow.

Plan the workflow around the machine: where products come from, where they go after labeling, who loads the machine, and where label rolls are stored. Keep a sample roll of your labels and products of each size nearby for the initial setup. This makes it easier to adjust the guides, head, and delay using actual items from the start.

Setup and maintenance of an automatic label applicator

Adjust the guides so your product moves parallel to the label tape, and set the head height to match the product so the label is applied smoothly. The delay between the photo eye and the head determines where the label is placed: set this on the control panel and check it on an actual product. The labels are self-adhesive and come on a roll with a liner.

For maintenance, remove any paper scraps and clean the rollers and electrical box with alcohol or a neutral cleaner—never use acidic cleaners or abrasive tools. Use a soft brush to clean the sensor lens, replace the fuse once it has aged, and keep steel parts oiled to prevent rust. The machine should be operated at room temperature, away from moisture and fumes.

There are two common faults with known causes. A torn liner can result from a poor-quality liner, a die-cut that cuts into the liner, scratches along the feed path, or labels sticking together; the manufacturer recommends using a glassine liner. A crooked label can be caused by the label tape not running parallel to the conveyor, a loose tape, a slipping drive wheel, or inconsistent product detection.

When loading a new roll, thread the label tape from the roll over the guide rollers to the peeling plate. The liner continues around the traction roller to the rewinder. The tape must be tight and parallel to the conveyor. If the tape is loose or misaligned, labels may be applied crookedly or the liner could tear. Always check the tape path before starting the machine.

Setting up for a new product involves three steps: adjust the guides to the product width, set the head height to the product height, and run one product to see where the label is applied. Adjust the delay in small increments until the label is in the correct position. If the label is too close to the front edge, increase the delay; if it is too far back, decrease the delay.

Record the guide width, head height, and delay for each product you process. When you switch back to that product, you can set up in minutes without guesswork. On a production floor, keeping a setup sheet for each product saves time and reduces errors.

Adhesive can build up on the peeling plate edge and rollers over time. This buildup can cause labels to stick incorrectly or be applied crookedly. Clean these parts regularly with alcohol or a neutral cleaner. Never use acidic cleaners or abrasive tools, as they can damage the machine.

Empty the waste liner from the rewinder regularly, before the roll gets too thick. If the liner roll becomes too large, it can jam or put extra strain on the drive, which may tear the liner. In a packing line, set a routine to remove the waste liner at each roll change.

Other faults can happen. If two labels are applied to one product or a product passes without a label, the issue is usually with the label sensor. Clean the sensor lens and check the gap between labels. If a label is too far forward or back, check the delay setting. Creased labels may mean the head height is incorrect or the speeds of the label and product do not match.

Labels adhere best at room temperature, which is also the ideal condition for the machine. Cold labels or a cold machine can cause poor adhesion. Store the machine and labels in a dry, room-temperature area, away from moisture and fumes, for optimal results.

Questions about labeling machines

How many products per hour can a labeling machine process?

The A175LB can label 40–120 pieces per minute, or 2,400–7,200 per hour. The T160LB can label 30–80 pieces per minute, or 1,800–4,800 per hour. The actual rate depends on the size of the product and the label.

What label sizes do these labeling machines handle?

Both models use self-adhesive labels from 6 to 250 mm long, on a roll with a liner. The A175LB supports label widths up to 175 mm, and the T160LB up to 160 mm.

What power supply do these labeling machines need?

Both models operate on 110 V or 220 V, 50–60 Hz. The A175LB uses 400 W, and the T160LB uses about 765 W. No compressed air is required.

What is the placement accuracy of these labeling machines?

Both the A175LB and T160LB apply labels with an accuracy of ±1 mm, depending on the product. The product must move steadily along the guides, and the label tape must remain tight and parallel to the conveyor.