Food labeling and sleeving equipment comes in a wide array of styles, from simple label applicators to full body sleeve applicators and from semi-automatic to fully automatic and even portable labeling equipment. You use these food sleeving equipment and food labeling equipment machines at the tail end of the production process, after you fill and package food and beverage containers. Yet they remain vital to the integrity of the product, especially since manufacturers are liable for ensuring their products will be tamper resistant when they reach wholesale and retail locations.

As a business owner, your choice for labeling and sleeving equipment depends on your budget and space restrictions. The semi-automatic labels work best in smaller food production facilities whereas a large-scale beverage manufacturer almost certainly needs a fully automated apparatus to meet their customers demand. However, production experts urge food manufacturers and producers to decide which sleeving equipment and food label equipment to buy based upon their production goals.

1. Get automatic mechanical sleeving equipment from a manufacturer with a proven record.

2. Consider custom food label equipment designed to your specifications.

3. Buy the latest food labeling equipment supplies from an innovative manufacturer.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose automatically-operated sleeving machines

Sleeving machines are available in semi-automatic and fully automatic models.

I recommend: Altech started making food and other labeling machines in 1991. Since then, the company has expanded its operations so that its machines apply millions of labels on food products each day. Its line of Alsleeve labelers seal products with tamper resistant lids and decorate other products with airtight sleeves. Contact Itw Dynatec for price quotes and answers to questions about the company’s ASLI sleever machine. MavPac Contract Packaging sells a patented shrink wrap system.

Get glue wrap labeling equipment or buy custom made labeling machines

Consider whether a glue wrap labeler will do or whether you should invest in a custom made labeling machine specially designed for your company's bottles or packages.

I recommend: Quadrel Labeling Systems and Apogee Industries carry a full line of labeling equipment, such as label applicators and table top applicators. Better Label and Products sells both fully and semi-automatic labelers that work with glue wrap. Busch Machinery will custom manufacture a labeling machine that suits your company’s particular process.

Get state of the art food labeling supplies from an industry leader

You'll need to decide which kind of label best suits your product, such as pressure sensitive labels, roll-fed or in-mold labels.

I recommend: Hammer Packaging has Pressure Sensitive Labels applied so artistically that customers cannot even visualize a product label. York Label, headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, is known for its creative food labels and labeling supplies. Tripack

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask a manufacturer of labeling or sleeving equipment about machines that will apply barcode labels.