Bottle labelling guide
Front and back label positioning guide.
Plan accurate two-sided label application for flat, oval, square and shaped bottles.
Front/back labelling is about controlling presentation.
A front and back labeller must present each bottle consistently to two label heads. This is more demanding on oval, flat and square containers because the label panels need to line up with the machine rather than rotating freely.
Product guides, side belts and spacing controls can be required to keep the container steady.
Confirm label panel size and tolerance.
The available label panel may be smaller than the visible face of the bottle because of shoulders, radiused edges, recesses or moulding. Edge clearance should be measured before labels are printed.
Artwork should allow realistic tolerance. Very tight edge alignment can make the machine specification more demanding.
Check front/back matching.
The front and back labels may be different sizes, shapes or roll directions. Those details must be known before the machine is specified because they affect label head set-up and changeover.
Checklist before you enquire
- Front label size and back label size
- Panel dimensions and edge clearance
- Bottle shape, taper and shoulder design
- Required label alignment tolerance
- Whether the container is soft or rigid
- Line speed and product spacing
- Label roll direction for both labels
- Samples from each bottle size
FAQ
Common questions.
Can both labels be applied in one pass?
A twin-side labeller can often apply front and back labels in one conveyor pass.
Do front and back labels need separate rolls?
Often yes, especially when artwork or label sizes differ.
Can round bottles be front/back labelled?
Yes, but orientation and label spacing must be checked.
Why are samples important?
Samples show how the bottle presents under guides and side belts.
Next steps