What is side labelling?
In this glossary, side labelling refers to applying a label to the side of a product or pack. On automated equipment, the target face is presented beside the applicator rather than below or above a top- or bottom-labelling position.
Key takeaways:
- Side labelling places the label on a side face, with the target face presented beside a horizontally arranged applicator.
- Stable spacing and orientation matter because the required side must reach the application point in a consistent position on the conveyor.
- An applicator can apply pre-printed labels, while print-and-apply equipment adds variable-data printing immediately before automatic application on the line.
- Vision or code checks can follow side application, but inspection, scanning and verification remain separate from the physical labelling function.
Which production-line inputs affect side-labelling equipment selection?
Side labelling describes an application position rather than a complete machine type. Equipment selection therefore starts by confirming how the required side of the product will be presented to the applicator.
Side face and label position
The target side must be accessible at the application point and presented towards equipment capable of side application. Product dimensions and the required label position determine where that application point needs to sit relative to the passing product.
This is the main distinction from top or bottom labelling. The placement requirement establishes where the label goes, while the rest of the system specification determines how it gets there.
Presentation stability and product handling
The product needs to reach the side-application point with the intended face consistently exposed. Where the product can move, rotate or arrive inconsistently, spacing, orientation or stabilisation may be needed before application.
These are functions of the wider handling system rather than side labelling itself. Conveyor layout, line movement and available space then determine how the applicator and handling equipment fit around the existing production process.
Application method, printing and line integration
The selected labelling equipment first needs to support the required side position. The next question is whether the process uses labels printed in advance or requires variable information to be printed immediately before application.
Existing-system integration covers how that equipment connects with the production line. Inspection requirements should be specified separately. Vision can check configured visible features such as label presence, position or print, while scanners and code-verification systems perform different identification and quality-control tasks.
How does product handling support side labelling?
Product handling helps present the correct side of the product consistently to the applicator and then moves the labelled product into the next stage of the line. See product handling systems.
Pre-labelling handling
Before side application, handling can control product arrival, spacing, orientation and stability. The purpose is to present the intended side to the labelling equipment consistently while keeping product movement separate from the label-application function.
Post-labelling handling
After the label has been applied, the wider line can move the product towards inspection, rejection or downstream handling stages. These functions may support quality control around side labelling, but they remain separate from the physical placement of the label.
Printing, application and print-and-apply functions
The application position does not by itself determine how label information is produced.
A label printer produces labels. A label applicator applies labels that have already been printed. A print-and-apply system combines variable-data printing with automated application.
Identification and quality checks remain separate again. Barcode scanning reads a machine-readable code, code verification assesses the configured code requirement, and vision inspection checks specified visible features. Any of these functions can form part of the wider system around a side-labelling point without becoming part of the label-placement function itself.
ALS Identify labelling-system selection for side labelling
ALS Identify assesses side-labelling applications around the required label position, product presentation and production-line fit. The IMA Labelling Fleximate series provides one relevant equipment reference with side-labelling configurations. Contact ALS Identify to assess the application against the product and line requirements.
