What is Label Unwind Direction?

The unwind direction is simply the way in which a label unwinds from a roll. This is most easily explained by looking at the diagram below. There are four unwind directions. You can see that unwind direction #1 is when the top of the label comes off the roll first, #2 has the bottom edge coming off first, #3 is the right edge and #4 is the left edge.

Now, why is it important? Well, it is usually only important if you are having your labels applied by machine - if you are hand applying your labels then unwind direction typically does not matter. So, if you are applying your labels by machine, or having a contract manufacturer apply the labels then you will need to know the unwind direction. Most labeling machines will only be able to work with one unwind direction for each type of container.

One final point, if you are applying labels by hand now, but you may want to have them machine applied at some future point it is still good to consider unwind direction.

Comments

[cesar salazar]

A client told us that the unwind direction is counter clockwise. without giving us illustration. How should this look base on the your illustration? Is it #4

Thanks

cesar

[peterrenton]

Cesar,

You could argue that Unwind Direction #4 is counter clockwise because when are looking at the roll the left side will come off first. The roll will appear to come off counter clockwise. A more accurate description though is Left off first.

Regards, Peter