“Less than 5% of the 60 billion square meters of global production of laminates with silicone liners were reused or recycled. Additionally, label converters typically waste 5–10% of the original laminate during production and handling.”
— Labels & Labelling, 9 May 2024
Whether in retail, hospitality, or manufacturing, linerless labels are quickly becoming a preferred labeling solution for businesses that care about sustainability, operational efficiency, and long-term revenue. But what are linerless labels, and how are they different from traditional labels? How could they benefit businesses that need labeling every day?
In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about linerless labels and why they are becoming a smarter alternative to traditional labeling.
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What Are Linerless Labels?
What are linerless labels? (Click to view full image)
Linerless labels, or liner-free labels, as the name suggests, are a type of pressure-sensitive label that does not require the use of a liner or backing material.
Typically, the conventional labels have a release coating (usually a silicon agent) on the liner; the release coating on the liner helps the labels peel away easily without damaging the adhesive underneath the facestock to ensure the labels stick well to the application surface, such as a box or envelope.
In contrast, the linerless labels eliminate the use of the liner; they apply the release coating directly on the facestock to make sure the labels peel smoothly from the next round of labels on the roll. In other words, the release coating on facestock enables linerless labels to function as their own liner within the roll.
The table below compares the structural differences between linerless labels and traditional labels. To learn more about the linerless label layer structure and manufacturing process, this linerless label patent will give you more insights.
| Structure | Linerless Labels | Traditional Labels |
|---|---|---|
| Facestock | Same | Same |
| Adhesive | Under the facestock | Under the facestock |
| Silicon Release Coating | On the facestock | On the liner |
| Liner | No | Separate backing liner |
What Are the Differences Between Linerless Labels and Traditional Labels?
While both linerless labels and traditional labels serve the same labeling and identification purpose, they still differ in many aspects. The table below summarizes the key differences for easier comparison and understanding.
| Feature | Linerless Labels | Traditional Labels |
|---|---|---|
| Backing Paper | No backing liner | Uses traditional release liner |
| Silicone Coating | On facestock | On liner |
| Waste | No liner waste | Produces liner waste |
| Labels Per Roll | 30 – 50% more per roll | Fewer labels per roll |
| Label Size | Continuous | Pre-cut size |
| Roll Changes | Less frequent | More frequent |
| Printing Efficiency | Higher | Standard |
| Printers | Linerless printers only | Traditional label printers |
| Best For | Retail, food, logistics, high-volume labeling | General use, low-volume operations |
What Are the Benefits of Linerless Labels?
Linerless labels are designed for use in mobile, desktop, and industrial printers in retail, logistics, food, and many other industries. Here are some instant benefits that you will witness if you choose linerless labels for your business.
1. Reduced Cost
Linerless labels save on shipping and storage costs. Compared to traditional labels, linerless labels weigh less because there is no backing paper, reducing shipping costs for the rolls. Also, linerless labels contain more labels per roll, which saves your business from buying and storing more labels.
2. Flexible Label Lengths
Traditional labels have a pre-set template size
Linerless label rolls do not come in pre-cut sizes. Instead, you can print labels at any length you need – this is similar to POS receipt paper, where you can print receipts of any length. For example, you can print a short label for a coffee cup, but a long label for a multi-item food delivery order – this is not possible with traditional die-cutting labels. As a result, linerless labels provide far greater flexibility for labeling applications and versatility across industries such as hospitality, retail, healthcare, food service, and more. This means buy one label for all your labeling needs, isn’t that smart?
3. Environmentally Friendly
Linerless labels are loved by businesses because they leave zero waste once the labels are applied. No backing paper means no leftover label peel, which means no warehouse footprint, which means creating a business that is one-hundred percent environmentally friendly.
4. Improved Productivity
Since there is no peeling, label application is faster and more efficient than with traditional labels. Also, linerless labels require fewer media roll changes between print runs, thereby boosting operational productivity and reducing downtime.
Overall, by going linerless, you choose environmental sustainability, increase production capacity, and reduce applicator downtime.
What Are the Common Linerless Label Sizes?
Like thermal rolls, tape rolls, and toilet paper rolls, linerless labels are also typically supplied in roll format, and they are cut into flexible lengths by a printer’s built-in cutter. We usually use width, length, and core parameters to describe a linerless label roll size.
Below are the common linerless label sizes used for different applications.
1. 58mm Width: Compact POS & Retail Use
Like 57mm thermal receipt paper, this 58mm width linerless label is popular in retail & POS scales and price labels because of its compact size and lightweight. This label size seamlessly works with mobile and desktop thermal printers from Zerba, TSC, Sato, Bixolon, and more.
Common uses:
- Fruit and vegetable ‘lids’ labels
- Convenience store labeling
- Bakery & deli labels
- Mobile thermal printer labels
- Small price labels on coffee and drinks
2. 80mm Width: Standard Restaurant & Takeaway Use
Like 80mm thermal paper rolls, this 80mm width linerless label is one of the most popular label sizes across different industries and sectors worldwide. It has an appropriate width and presents high-density information for customers. More importantly, it works with most 3-inch (80mm) direct thermal liner-free label printers from various brands.
Common uses:
- Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) & Takeaway
- Expiry date labels
- Food prep labeling
- Grocery barcode labels
- Retail product identification
3. 100mm Width: Logistics & Shipping Use
This 100mm (4-inch) width label size works with 4-inch (114mm) desktop and industrial thermal printers. It gives a dedicated wide-format printing for shipping and logistics labels, allowing printing of as much information as needed, such as the shipper, consignee, barcode, and other essential details on the labels.
Common uses:
- Shipping courier labels
- Warehouse carton and shelf labels
- E-commerce fulfillment
- Postal Services
We summarize some popular linerless label roll sizes on the market. At Panda Paper Roll, we can manufacture and supply them at affordable wholesale prices.
| 100mm × 105m × 40mm | 80mm × 73m × 40mm | 70mm × 65m × 40mm |
| 100mm × 70m x 40mm | 58mm × 80m × 40mm | 60mm × 100m × 40mm |
| 80mm × 80m × 40mm | 58mm × 65m × 40mm | 40mm × 80m × 40mm |
| 80mm × 80m × 25mm | 58mm × 65m × 25mm | 40mm × 65m × 25mm |
Going Linerless: Order Premium Linerless Labels from Panda Paper Roll
Overall, linerless labels are a sustainable labeling innovation and are gaining widespread commercial acceptance in retail, food, logistics, shipping, as well as other applications where optimal thermal labeling, increased printing efficiency, and environmental friendliness are required.
Backed by over 25 years of experience in self-adhesive labels, equipped with state-of-the-art linerless adhesive coating machines and advanced label slitting equipment at our production facilities, Panda Paper Roll from China provides professional and reliable linerless label products to customers across the globe. Contact Panda Paper Roll and get a quote for your linerless label needs today.
Linerless Labels Frequently Asked Questions
1. What are linerless labels?
Linerless labels are labels that do not have a backing liner. Unlike traditional labels that have a backing material (usually glassine paper), linerless paper removes the liner materials for compact construction and reduced waste.
2. What are the benefits of using linerless labels?
Linerless labels eliminate the use of backing materials, generate less waste, increase uptime, and reduce the need for roll changes. Furthermore, linerless labels have an improved printing efficiency and allow flexible label lengths compared to die-cutting labels.
3. How do I switch to linerless labels?
Switching to linerless labels requires a hardware investment, i,e you need to get a dedicated linerless printer. The printer should have a built-in cutter, linerless rollers, and sensors for smooth feeding and accurate cutting.
4. Can you supply customized linerless label sizes?
Yes. Panda Paper Roll’s linerless labels are available in customized sizes as well as paper, film, and direct thermal material options, and permanent, removable, and repositionable adhesive choices. We also arrange global shipping by air and sea for bulk orders.
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