Linerless Label Solution Ups Retailer’s Processing Speed, Reduces Delivery Times | Retail
12/4/2024
RRD’s domestically produced high-quality linerless label product decreases processing time by 10%
CHALLENGE
A leading apparel retailer sought an alternative vendor for linerless label rolls. The retailer’s incumbent Europe-based label vendor’s extensive delivery lead time was hindering their ability to quickly process large quantities of orders. They did not want to switch to an inferior linerless stock or to linered label stock in order to reduce delivery time to the U.S. In addition, their initial efforts at finding a satisfactory replacement product from a U.S.-based company had been unsuccessful.
The retailer’s “wishlist” for their ideal linerless labels and new supplier included the following:
- The product should feature high-quality materials
- The product should offer sustainability
- Ease of use for application and rapid changeover with each label roll
- Quick product delivery time
- Aggressive pricing
SOLUTION
The retailer ultimately turned to RRD, a long-time partner, for a solution. Already having experience with RRD’s ability to solve complex production challenges for past projects, they determined that moving forward with them would be a productive next step.
Upon collaborating with RRD for the project, the retailer supplied their requirement wish list, enabling RRD to gain a better understanding of their wants and needs when it came to material performance.
The RRD Angola team in Indiana devoted extensive R&D time to the project. They formulated a match to the existing label, creating a high-end linerless product specifically engineered for the retail sector. As a result, RRD was able to improve the retailer’s current linerless label solution when it came to:
- Print quality
- Adhesion
- Material structure
Product testing was the next step in the process: The retailer hosted three full test rounds of the new label rolls at two of their largest facilities to analyze how the RRD linerless product would perform under rigorous conditions. Pleased with the results, they deployed the labels to their remaining facilities and moved into final production.
RESULTS
RRD was able to provide the retailer with an answer to their linerless label challenge — a solution that was produced domestically and was of higher quality than their previous product.
Specific benefits have included:
- Product delivery time decreased from more than six months to less than a month
- Processing time for each package decreased by 10%, due to increased speed of labels through printer
- Sustainability needs were addressed as linerless labels significantly reduce waste; in addition, the retailer experienced a safer work environment due to the absence of liner litter on the production floor
- Decrease in shipping costs now that labels are produced in the U.S.
- The product has application to various retailers within their warehouse and distribution centers