Category: Labels & Materials

Is it Direct Thermal or Thermal Transfer?

Do you have a roll-form label printer that prints without a printing ribbon? If it doesn’t use ink cartridges, chances are it is what we call a direct thermal printer; some models will print in either direct thermal (aka thermal) or thermal transfer mode, simply by flipping a switch. Many people prefer to use heat-activated, […]

Frozen Tube Labels Are the Key to Accurate and Reliable Tracking

n any research or clinical environment, proper sample identification can be the difference between groundbreaking discoveries and months of setbacks. Yet standard labels often don’t stand a chance in ultra-cold freezers, let alone in liquid nitrogen storage. That’s why frozen tube labels have become indispensable in modern laboratories. Designed to tolerate temperatures reaching as low […]

Glove-Friendly Labels – Do You Need a Glove-Friendly Adhesive?

Do You Need Glove-Friendly Labels? Many customers look for tacky, aggressive adhesives that feel “extra sticky” to solve tough label applications. These adhesives are popular on dirty, contaminated & uneven surfaces. They also adhere to low-surface-energy plastics that emit out-gassing. They bond very well, but they can be a pain to die cut and put […]

What Is My Barcode Label Made Of?

Your barcode labels are important, and choosing the right label material isn’t something to take lightly. But what are your options? Learn more.

Just How Durable is That Barcode?

Chances are you don’t have a crockmeter (aka Taber abrader) in your office or out back in the stock room. This type of equipment is typically used by material manufacturers and label converters like EIM to check the image durability of our printing ribbons or inks on our label substrates. So what do you do […]

Matte or Gloss Over Laminates – Which is Better?

Which is better, a gloss laminate or matte laminate? You are getting ready to place a label order but customer service is asking you if you want a matte or gloss label. The base material, no matter whether it is white, clear or silver, will be described as having a matte, semi-gloss or gloss finish. […]

What is the Best Printing Technology for You?

We know you really don’t care HOW your labels are printed….you just want them printed! They need to be made of the right label material and adhesive to work in your application. They need to have durable quality print, in the colors you choose, with the right layout, text and/or barcodes. You want them quickly […]

The Label World is Definitely Getting Smaller

“Since we were doing business with you from the other side of the world (New Zealand), it was a pleasure to find your online staff so responsive, knowledgeable, and accommodating with our needs/situation.” Electronic Imaging Materials, Inc. has been a proud converter of barcode and customized labels for over 30 years, and thanks to our […]

Vinyl Labels Get a Bad Rap

Vinyl labels have long been a mainstay for the printing industry because of their excellent tear, chemical, and moisture resistance. On top of that, they are highly conformable, cost-effective, and are perfect for outdoor applications. But they’ve been getting a bad rap lately.  Environmental concerns involving the European Union’s RoHS and REACH Directives have put […]

Stickers …Labels…Tags…What’s the Difference?

Many people use the terms labels, tags, and stickers to mean the same thing. This isn’t usually a problem, but it’s a common misnomer that’s ages old. We always help to clarify what our customers mean and ensure they’re getting the right product. In the hopes of doing away with some of the confusion (and […]

“Service Life” & “Shelf Life” for Labels are the Same Thing, Right?

Wrong! When trying to determine how long a label will last, service life and shelf life are commonly mistaken to mean the same thing. The service life of a label material is the minimum length of time that a label will reliably stay fixed on a surface. This rating takes the material’s intended usage and […]

Adhesive Ooze – Watch Out for That Summertime OOZE!

Hot and humid summer weather is upon us, causing your labels to be at risk of adhesive ooze buildup. We thought it would be good timing to educate on what you can do to control that summertime OOZE!!! Here’s how it works. As temperature and humidity increase, the adhesives in pressure-sensitive labels can start to […]