A Complete Guide on How to Choose a Labelling Machine and Maintenance Tips

Hand labelling looks cheap until the shelf shows the result: labels a few degrees off, bubbles under the film, corners lifting after a week. A labelling machine peels each self-adhesive label off the roll and lays it on the same way every time. This guide covers the main types, the numbers on a spec sheet, how to choose for your containers and how to keep a labeller running cleanly.

What Is a Labelling Machine?

A labelling machine applies self-adhesive labels from a roll onto a container. Round bottles are turned on rollers so the label wraps on; flat and oval packs are held still while the label is laid onto one face; on a line, containers travel on a conveyor past the labelling head. The labelling machines page lists the three PackForge models with their rates.

Why Use a Labelling Machine?

• Straight labels within about ±1 mm on every pack.
• No bubbles or creases from hand pressing.
• Less waste of printed labels.
• Faster benches: up to 50 a minute on a bench labeller, up to 120 on a conveyor model.
• A better shelf look for small brands.

What Are the Major Types of Labelling Machines?

Round Bottle Bench Labeller

• RBL, bottles and jars 10 to 130 mm across
• Up to 50 a minute; RBL C adds coding
• From ₹42,112 + ₹7,580 GST

Flat and Oval Bottle Labeller

• FBL PN with a pneumatic hold-down
• 20 to 40 a minute
• ₹1,13,792 + ₹20,483 GST

Conveyor (Online) Labeller

• ALM for round containers 30 to 100 mm
• 20 to 120 a minute on a filling and capping line
• ₹2,99,264 + ₹53,868 GST

Understanding Label Size, Roll and Accuracy

Label size is the range of labels the head can handle: 10 to 140 mm wide and 10 to 100 mm long on the FBL PN, 20 to 200 mm long and 20 to 120 mm wide on the ALM. Roll size matters because your printer winds the labels: the RBL and FBL PN take rolls up to 300 mm across on a 75 mm core. Container diameter limits round labellers: 10 to 130 mm on the RBL, 30 to 100 mm on the ALM. Accuracy is quoted as about ±1 mm on all three. Speed is pieces per minute, and on a bench it also depends on how fast the operator loads.

Labelling Machine Features to Look For

The right holding method for your container shape.

Quick label changeover where you run several products.

Change parts for each container diameter.

Coding in the same pass, as on the RBL C, if batch details matter.

Air needs: the FBL PN uses compressed air; the RBL and ALM do not.

Footprint: 650 × 450 mm for the RBL, 300 × 200 mm for the FBL PN.

How to Choose the Right Labelling Machine?

1. Sort containers by shape: round, or flat and oval.
2. Measure diameters and label sizes for every product.
3. Count containers per hour and check whether a conveyor already runs.
4. Decide full wrap or front panel, and front-and-back if needed.

For example, an Ayurvedic brand with several round bottle sizes would start with the RBL; a detergent brand with flat jerricans needs the FBL PN; a juice plant already filling and capping on a conveyor would look at the ALM.

Labelling Machine Buying Checklist

• A few filled containers of each size, and a strip of the real label.
• The roll core size and winding direction from your label printer.
• Whether labels must line up with a seam, a cap feature or a moulded logo.
• Containers from different moulding batches, to check variation.
• Compressed air at the bench, if you choose the FBL PN.

What to Tell Your Label Printer

Most labelling trouble starts at the printer, not the machine. Agree these points before the first order of labels:

• Core size: 75 mm for the RBL and FBL PN, with rolls no more than 300 mm across.
• Winding direction: which way the labels face on the roll, so they peel off in the right orientation.
• Gap between labels: a clean, even gap helps the machine find the start of each label.
• Label size: within the machine’s range – up to 140 mm wide on the FBL PN, up to 120 mm wide and 200 mm long on the ALM.
• Adhesive: suited to your container material and to cold or damp storage if your product sees it.

Send a strip of the real label with your enquiry; it answers most of these questions at once.

Labelling on a Full Line

On a bottling line the labeller is the last step before packing. Containers are filled – on a liquid, paste or pickle filler – capped, often induction sealed, and then labelled. A bench labeller such as the RBL or FBL PN is fed by hand from that line; the ALM sits on the conveyor itself and labels 20 to 120 containers a minute as they pass. If containers still move between stations by hand, sort the conveyor first, then add the online labeller. Filling and capping machines for the same line are on the filling machines and capping and can sealing pages.

Common Labelling Problems

Labels lifting at the edges after a day: the container was damp, dusty or oily when labelled; clean and dry it first.

Creases on round bottles: the bottle may not be truly round, or it is tapered; tapered bottles deserve a trial before ordering.

Labels sitting off position on flat packs: containers vary between moulding batches; check several lots.

Labels not lining up with a seam or cap feature: alignment is a different set-up and should be ordered as such.

A labeller that cannot keep up with the filler: compare its pieces per minute with the filler’s real hourly count, stoppages included, and leave a margin.

How to Maintain a Labelling Machine?

Every day: clear label backing and glue from the rollers and the peeling edge.

At every changeover: check the roll is threaded the right way and the label sits at the set position.

Keep containers clean and dry; damp or oily surfaces cause most lifting labels.

On the FBL PN: keep the air supply dry and within 0.4 to 0.6 MPa.

Store labels flat and cool, away from heat that softens the adhesive.

For parts or a set-up question, WhatsApp +91 95822 69346 with the model name.

Frequently Asked Questions about Labelling Machines