Shrinking without wrinkling with Avery Dennison

A new brand-enhancing pressure-sensitive labeling solution for meat and dairy packaging applications is being introduced by Avery Dennison Label and Packaging Materials (LPM) at Labelexpo 2011.

The patent-pending product, called Avery Dennison Shrink PS, is engineered to survive the vacuum-shrink process without wrinkling, providing both shelf appeal and production-related benefits.

Avery Dennison Shrink PS labels are applied to shrinkable bags off-line or in-line prior to filling and vacuum sealing. Compared with preprinted shrink-bag labeling, the Shrink PS solution offers enhanced labeling flexibility and the opportunity to differentiate products at a later stage in the packaging process. As a result, food processors can reduce or eliminate multiple sets of preprinted shrink bags in inventory, cutting overall costs and increase flexibility.

Potential applications include the labeling of processed meats, fresh red meats, poultry and cheese products. “Avery Dennison Shrink PS is an exciting innovation that has both brand-enhancing and production-related benefits,” says Bassam Hallak, global segment director - food. “This is an example of how Avery Dennison can help customers overcome difficult technical challenges and achieve packaging solutions with high visual impact.”

Shrink PS is a direct result of Avery Dennison’s recently initiated collaborative innovation strategy. By reaching out to key stakeholders from the meat and dairy industries, the Avery Dennison food innovation team was able to identify this unmet need and accelerate new product development, supplying pressure sensitive label printers a differentiating new product.

Avery Dennison Shrink PS labels exhibit excellent aesthetic appeal due to their exceptional shrinking behavior. When immersed in hot water following vacuum sealing, the Shrink PS labels conform and shrink with the bags and packaged products to deliver a smooth finish, without the wrinkling sometimes associated with labels applied by hand to packaging after it has been vacuum-packed and shrunk.

The Shrink PS labels’ water-resistant construction and strong permanent adhesive ensure that the labels stay firmly attached. The labels can be affixed to the bags using automatic label applicators, reducing the need for manual labor. Avery Dennison has worked with TRONICS® to develop an applicator custom-built to apply Shrink PS.