A process of producing printed variably imaged labels cut to individual label sheets in a pre-defined sequence of variable information synchronized with the planogram of a retail store for labeling, output from a factory assembly line for unique product labeling or labeling of shipments from a fulfillment or distribution warehouse that all have unique data and follow a planogram or planned sequence. The labels are cut into single sheets using a cutter/stacker and either use a crack and peel liner or a stripped matrix around the label to facilitate easy removal and application. The cutter/stacker processes converted label stock that is either pre-printed and die cut and/or variably imaged.

An apparatus for manufacturing discrete portions (19; 119) comprises: an advancement device for advancing a flexible material (4; 102) along a path (P1); a cutting device (18) positioned along said path (P1) for cutting the flexible material (4; 102) so as to obtain a discrete portion (19; 119), the cutting device (18) comprising a laser source (20) configured to emit a laser beam (21) incident on a rear face (7; 107), opposite a printed front face (5; 105), of the flexible material (4; 102); a retaining device (22) for retaining the flexible material (4; 102) while the cutting device (18) cuts the discrete portion (19; 119) from the flexible material (4; 102).

A method of applying labels to a store shelf in a retail environment. The method includes applying labels with adhesive strips applied to a bottom surface of each label and a top laminate layer with a release coating applied to the top surface of each label. The labels in the pad are sequenced according to a store's planogram.

The present application relates to an apparatus for cutting flexible material. This cutting apparatus comprises: a feed line of a flexible material (2), feeding means (8) for feeding each layer (9, 10, 11, 12) so as to couple said layers (9, 10, 11, 12) to each other along the line of feed and to define said material (2), a first cutting unit (13), arranged on the feeding line, to carry out a first shaping process on said material (2), and a second cutting unit (14), arranged on the feeding line (6) downstream of said first cutting unit (13), to carry out a second shaping process on said shaped material (2). Said second cutting unit (14) has at least a laser emitter (16) to carry out finishing work on the material (2) shaped in the first cutting unit (13).

A linerless label including a support, a release layer over one surface of the support, and an adhesive layer over another surface of the support, wherein when the linerless label is cut with an apparatus including a mechanism in which an upper blade of cutter blades is immobilized and a lower blade of the cutter blades is configured to move upward, in a manner that the lower blade is inserted into the linerless label from a side of the linerless label at which the adhesive layer is provided, a cutter load voltage during a cutter operation performed after the linerless label is cut five thousand times repeatedly has a difference of less than or equal to 2.0 V from the cutter load voltage during cutting of a label support, which is the linerless label before treated to have adhesiveness.

A label web and method utilize a substrate, first and second longitudinally spaced label arrays each including two or more double-sided adhesive labels removably attached to the substrate, and a peelable protective covering web extending generally coextensive with the substrate. The label arrays and the peelable protective web are configured such that the peelable protective web is selectively removable to expose the first label array while remaining removably attached to the second label array, with both the first and second label arrays remaining removably attached to the substrate, to thereby facilitate removal of all labels in the first label array as a group while the peelable protective covering web remains in place over the second label array.

A roll of label web and method utilize a length of first label web having a plurality of longitudinally spaced adhesive-backed labels removably attached to a substrate wound around a tubular core in such a manner that a first and last label of the first label web are fully intact and usable. The leading and trailing ends of the first label web are cut between labels. The trailing end of the first label web is releasably attached to the core by double-sided releasable adhesive tabs that allow the trailing end of the first label web to pull free from the core for printing the last label. The leading end of the first label web is temporarily secured to the roll by adhesive tabs that are removable without damaging the first label of the first label web.

A combination printer and cutting device for printing upon and cutting a web of media or tag stock into individual units. The device may cut vinyl, plastic, or RFID stock material as it moves through the printer in both back and forth directions. The device comprises a printer and a cutting apparatus that is further comprised of a carriage assembly and a movable cutter assembly. The cutter assembly is easily interchangeable and comprises a cutting element such as a wheel blade, and a pressure adjusting element for adjusting the amount of pressure applied by the cutting element to the stock material. Alternatively, the cutter assembly may be manufactured with a predetermined pressure load, but still permit an operator to adjust the depth of cut. The cutting apparatus is adaptable for use with both new and existing printers.

A method of applying labels to a store shelf in a retail environment. The method includes applying labels with adhesive strips applied to a bottom surface of each label and a top laminate layer with a release coating applied to the top surface of each label. The labels in the pad are sequenced according to a store's planogram.

Apparatuses and embodiments related to compensated laser cutting of labels. A computer system receives an image of a label, and rasterizes the image. The computer system determines how much of each type of printer ink of a label printer to deposit at each pixel location of the image. The computer system determines which pixels intersect a cut line, and determines the characteristics of the ink of the pixels, such as the quantity or thickness of the ink at the pixel locations. The computer system determines laser data including power, cut speed, and/or frequency of a laser that is tuned to accurately cut through the ink that forms the image, the material(s) of the label, and the adhesive that removably adheres the label to base material(s), but to not excessively damage the base material(s). A laser cutting system uses the laser data to control a laser.