Alternating Labels for Your Products

What are Alternating Labels?

Alternating means that front and back labels are printed alternately or consecutively on the roll in one job. This method is particularly suitable if your products are processed mechanically, that is if front and back labels are applied simultaneously in one pass.

What is the Process?

1. Create Print File – To print your labels alternately, you must create the front and back labels on a common drawing area. The best way to do this is to use a design program such as Adobe Illustrator.
2. Define width and height – Add the two widths of the front and back label. This gives you the final width of the entire document. You must also include an intermediate cut, which varies from customer to customer. The height of the document is determined by the highest height of the front and back label. Example: Your front label is 90 mm wide and your back label is 80 mm wide. Calculation of the width: 90 mm+80 mm+5 mm (intermediate cut) = 175 mm. Your front label is 100 mm high, your back label 90 mm high. The height of the document should therefore be 100 mm (highest height).
3. Label Alignment – The orientation of labels side by side depends on how they will be applied to the product in the subsequent finishing process.
4. Artwork Assistant – For better understanding, you can use our artwork assistant.

Please note: Since alternating labels are created in one print file, they are considered one label design. For example, if you enter 1,000 pieces in terms of quantity in our online calculator you will receive 1,000 front and 1,000 back labels, as created in the print file.

Example of a Printing File