A label issuing apparatus of an embodiment includes a print unit that prints commodity information on a linerless label, a feeding unit that feeds the linerless label, a cutting unit that detaches the linerless label as a label piece, and a temporary adhesion unit that holds the label piece, and superimposes an upstream end portion in a feeding direction of the held label piece on a downstream end portion in a feeding direction of a subsequent label, the subsequent label being the linerless label next fed by the feeding unit.

A duplex label includes a label stock presenting a label top and a label bottom. The label top is printable to receive exposed indicia that is visible when the label is adhered to the substrate. The label stock includes multiple label plies, each having opposite top and bottom surfaces. The label also includes adhesive and an area of unactivated, selectively activatable print coating preapplied to define, respectively, an adhesive portion of the label bottom and a printable portion of the label bottom. The adhesive portion is configured to adhesively engage the substrate. The printable portion is operable to receive hidden indicia when the print coating is activated, with the hidden indicia being concealed cooperatively by the label stock and substrate until the label is at least partly removed.