Vintage Labellers

History

Before electronic handheld label printing became as mainstream as it is today, label printing had to be done by embossing a plastic or metal tape. Typing was achieved by rotating a wheel to the correct character and squeezing the handle grip. Then a cutter would have to be manually operated which varied across different models. The tape was continuous, usually had a self-adhesive backing, and came in various colours of plastic and metal.


White Text

The technology behind producing these types of labels is super simple. With the exception of the metal tape, the coloured plastic tapes will change to white when embossed producing the white, bevelled characters that make up your label text. With the metal and white tapes, the bevelled characters are clear enough on their own without turning a different colour.


Retro

Some people still prefer to use this type of label producing system as it holds a pleasant nostalgic look and feel to it. The labels are actually harder wearing than some of the newer labels of today. For example, the Dymo D1 tapes can have their print scratched off fairly easily despite what they say.


Today

Today there is a more industrial use for this type of labelling. The Dymo M1011 metal tape embosser is used in various industries including oil rigs, power plants, farming, water treatment, etc. Materials available for this embosser include stainless steel for very hard wearing applications, aluminium for regular hard wearing applications, and self-adhesive aluminium for low hard wearing applications. The M1011 can also punch a small hole in the metal tape suitable for tagging with a wire tag or nail. For more information on the Dymo M1011, or for advice on an alternative printer, please call our sale department on 01202 681311 or email sales@labelzone.co.uk