Businesses in a range of sectors that use labels are looking to become more sustainable, which is why linerless labels are becoming increasingly popular – along with the printers that print them – and this provides an opportunity for resellers.
Labelling is more crucial than ever for businesses in a range of industries with increasing legislation and demands from customers at all parts of the supply chain for greater transparency fuelling this. Sustainability is also a consideration, and all these factors are driving growth in linerless labelling.
“Whether it’s high‑volume manufacturing, retail fulfilment, hospitality, QSR or parcel delivery, companies are realising that traditional labelling creates avoidable waste and slows down workflows, where speed, waste reduction and operational efficiency matter,” says Deyon Antoine from Toshiba Tec UK Imaging Systems Ltd.
“Organisations are under pressure to simplify processes, reduce material usage and meet sustainability expectations. Linerless labelling achieves this by removing unnecessary waste, cutting handling effort and improving throughput.
“This shift is especially evident in logistics, where major operators have already deployed linerless solutions to cut waste and increase efficiency. E-commerce and parcel carriers have also turned to linerless to streamline fulfilment and lower material costs.
“Retail, food production, warehousing and parcel delivery are accelerating adoption because linerless dramatically reduces waste and increases throughput in automated and semi-automated labelling environments. Logistics operators are also exploring linerless as a future standard for shipping and inventory labelling thanks to its environmental benefits and lower operational burden.”
Stuart Colverd, head of POS sales Northern Europe at BIXOLON Europe GmbH, agrees that demand has continued to grow. “There has been a growing focus on sustainability across several industries,” he says. “As a result, linerless label printing innovation has grown in popularity as its ability to support environmental goals and improve operational efficiency is being recognised.
“The retail and hospitality sectors, in particular, are increasingly adopting removable linerless labels for applications such as order management in coffee shops and fast-food chains, as well as for click-and-collect services in retail,” he says. “The use of these labels in retail click-and-collect applications is a significant advantage during any peak seasons, helping to reduce queues and improve customer shopping experiences.
“Alongside this, professional desktop linerless printers are also gaining traction in sectors like transport and logistics, where permanent linerless labels are being used for efficient package labelling and to help with product traceability.”
Benoit Charnallet, TSC Auto ID product manager for the EMEA, notes that improving sustainability remains an important business goal, to either meet regulatory obligations or to incorporate more eco-friendly practices, and this trend is expected to continue. “We’re looking to expand our sustainable labelling solutions – including linerless technologies – to better enable sectors like retail to align operational efficiency with environmental goals,” he says.
“The linerless label market is forecast to grow to $6.5 billion by 2036. Food and drink accounts for 41% of the linerless label market, and it’s an area where we’ve seen growth, from applications like delicatessen weighing and pricing to fast food operators where the moisture-resistant labels are widely used for quick service.”
Advantages of linerless labelling
There are various advantages to using linerless labelling. For instance, as these labels are not pre-cut, businesses benefit from the flexibility of variable length-printing, allowing them to customise label sizes based on their specific needs and to convey any specific information they require, Stuart says.
“Additional benefits include the versatility of these labels,” he adds. “They are available in a variety of adhesive strengths, providing options for removable and permanent applications depending on the use case. These labels can even be used to double as anti-tamper seals and to seal boxes.
“Linerless print material also demands less storage space, which, combined with the flexibility of mobile printers, enables operators to optimise the existing warehouse space. The adoption of linerless printing is also enabling organisations to seamlessly support evolving packaging regulations, especially across Europe, which demands more information on each label.”
Benoit says speed is an advantage. “With no release liner to peel off, operatives can just print, cut and apply labels as they need them,” he says. “Efficiency is improved and downtime is decreased as workers get more done with each linerless roll: they don’t have to keep changing media.
“Linerless can also improve employee safety, especially in busy traffic areas as potential slip hazards caused by liner waste are eliminated.”
Sustainability savings
The savings linerless labels can bring from a sustainability standpoint can also be significant. Deyon says that in warehousing and manufacturing, linerless is recognised as a quick, high impact sustainability win, reducing disposal needs and boosting operational efficiency. “For logistics operators, linerless labels use significantly less material and eliminate nearly all post application waste, making them an attractive route to lowering carbon footprint at scale,” he says.
Stuart adds that these labels are flexible, allowing them to be printed in various lengths to suit different packaging needs, which also reduces environmental impact. “While these benefits may not seem significant, they contribute to a huge reduction in waste across the warehouse,” he says. “As the backing is not recyclable, it often ends up in a landfill, making the overall cost of waste disposal quite high.”
Benoit adds that removing non-recyclable backing liners adds up to 40% more paper length per roll and no backing liner means less waste going into landfill. “Linerless media uses less raw materials, which again minimises environmental impact,” he says.
“There are definite economic and environmental benefits to linerless, such as halving transportation and storage costs, and cutting CO2 emissions by 50%.”
Printer requirements
While customers increasingly use linerless labelling, they are exacting in their demands on the printers. “Customers want printers that genuinely support the realities of their day to day environment,” says Deyon. “Wireless connectivity is now essential, as teams expect seamless links to handheld devices, POS systems or warehouse software without relying on cables.
“Ruggedness is equally important,” he adds “Many linerless use cases exist in demanding settings, from hot, busy kitchens to fast moving loading bays, so customers want devices that can withstand drops, spills, vibration and constant movement.
“Battery life is a priority for mobile teams such as drivers, pickers and floor staff. They need printers that last an entire shift without downtime or frequent recharging.
“Ease of loading and minimal maintenance also matter. Customers want media changes to be quick and the device to remain clean and reliable, even with adhesive heavy linerless materials.
Benoit notes that linerless label adhesive inevitably affects printing, causing sticking and residue. “This ultimately impacts printhead and print quality, so easy and safe cleaning and maintenance is important for customers,” he says. “TSC Auto ID’s linerless printers have great anti-adhesive design, reducing points of contact for labels along the printing path, thereby minimising residue and paper jams. Its swift cleaning kits also ensure the process is completed within five minutes.
“Label compatibility is also crucial, customers need to know their linerless printers will work with different brands of linerless media across various applications. We’ve validated all the major linerless label brands to ensure our printers work well and provide hassle-free printing experiences.”
Reseller conversations
But to ensure that resellers make the most of the opportunities presented by linerless label printers, they must ensure they take the right pitch to customers. “Resellers need to move beyond product features and focus on the customer’s real workflow,” says Deyon. “That means understanding whether they need mobile durability, desktop throughput or multi purpose flexibility.
“Resellers should validate software compatibility, media requirements, connectivity expectations and environmental conditions long before recommending a specific model.
“With Toshiba’s portfolio the rugged B FP2, the high speed BV420D GL02, and the versatile TRST L1N resellers can match customers to devices that align with their operational reality. When done well, this consultative approach ensures customers see immediate efficiency gains and long-term value from their move to linerless.”
Benoit says that the environmental, economic and improved operational efficiency paybacks of linerless labels are well documented, so resellers should direct customers towards other wins that might benefit them. “Take hospital or healthcare staff collecting samples or prescribing medicines at point of care,” he says. “Traditional labels generate liner waste – also a contamination risk – which requires proper and safe disposal whereas linerless produces no such rubbish. And not having to peel off a label means careworkers work more efficiently.
“Being able to produce labels of variable length will continue to appeal to industries like food and drink, retail and manufacturing as such versatility enables them to customise content according to such requirements as order lengths or regulatory needs.
“Also, for customers in warehouse or logistics environments, linerless labels use direct thermal printing, which might not be as durable or able to withstand sunlight so it’s a limitation worth bearing in mind for goods potentially exposed for long periods to the sun.”
