Start A-Z Auto ID industry dictionary

A-Z Auto ID industry dictionary

… all you need to know

Basically all you need to know, always at your fingertips. Thanks to our dictionary you will never be clueless about Auto ID vocabulary, since we will help you to understand most typical and useful phrases and wording.

The ® symbol should have a minimum height of 3/64 inches (about 1.19 mm). If the diameter of the UL mark is less than 3/8 inch (approx. 9.53 mm), the symbol ® may be omitted (if it is illegible). You always have to agree with the client to avoid reporting incompatibilities / complaints.

In the case of UL marks appearing on the device manuals, we also have the PGAA program (permission to print UL marks as in the case of labels). In the case of instructions and the “UL LISTED” or “UL CLASSIFIED” marks appearing on them, there is no requirement to provide us with additional documentation (Authorization Page and Listing Mark Data Page or Generic Inspection Instruction).

Thermotransfer tapes don’t need to have a UL certificate. Certificates are granted to print materials, not to tapes. The material certificate indicates only which tapes must be used in order for the certificate to be valid (the durability of printing on these tapes has been tested during certification).

“File number” is the certificate number in the UL database. The ETISOFT certificate numbers for individual programs:

  • PGAA: LP5414
  • PGJI2/8: MH61735
  • PGDQ2/8: MH62709

They can be found in the following database:

UL Online Certifications Directory

The number “2” means that UL certification valid in the USA, the number “8” means that certification is for Canada (cUL certificate – equal to the Canadian CSA certificate).  Certification area is not imposed during certification (you can only choose USA or only Canada).

UL inspectors treat both programs interchangeably and for this reason we treat them as interrelated. For example, when the requirement is to deliver labels according to PGDQ2 / 8 (ready-printed) we can use material certified by us in the program PGJI2 / 8. The obvious precondition is the use of thermal transfer ribbons or digital printing associated with the material (through the PGJI2 / 8 certificate).

Significantly – the above certificates do not indicate specific label formats. Labels can be produced in any format by using certified materials.

The certificate covers printed labels that are manufactured by a label printer/converter. As a general rule, these labels are sold as die-cut, finished printed labels. The end user can not print any additional information on the label. The program enables to use various types of prints (thermal transfer, digital, flexographic) or protection of printing (varnish, laminates). The certificate does not indicate the components of the label.

The certificate applies to the production and delivery of blank labels. The document contains a list of materials and associated thermal transfer ribbons. Certification is transferred to the pre-printed label only if the end-user uses one of the indicated thermal transfer ribbons (Etisoft naming):

  • RESIN SP
  • RESIN CX
  • RESIN CR
  • ARMOR AXR7+

Sometimes in a certificate, apart from thermal transfer tapes we can find a connection with digital printing (for example Durst).

PGAA certification allows printing of labels containing UL marks. However, the substrate itself (label material) is of secondary importance in this program. However, it is often associated with programs PGJI2 / 8 and PGDQ2 / 8 (additional requirement that the material used also has UL certification).

We distinguish three basic groups of UL characters:

  • „UL RECOGNIZED” Mark
  • „UL LISTED” Mark
  • „UL CLASSIFIED” Mark

UL (Underwriters Laboratories) is an American certification organization for devices allowed on  the US and Canada market. Each device (and each component, also label – nameplate or descriptive) must have an UL certificate. UL certification of self-adhesive labels is based on a series of tests: correct adhesion to selected surfaces, temperature resistance, chemical resistance and mechanical durability (mainly printing). In the case of labels used in outdoor conditions, resistance to UV radiation and humidity is also checked. Etisoft holds UL certificate as an authorized distributor. This certificate confirms safety, workmanship, durability and reliability of products.

The labels made of durable materials (especially polyesters) for permanent marking of devices. The data on the label is usually applied in thermal transfer or flexographic printing technology. Adhesive parameters, dimensional stability and overprint resistance to external factors (i.e. detergents, water, UV radiation, etc.) guarantee that the user easily accesses information about the basic operating parameters of the device described on the label.

Customized marking for electrical equipment front side. Made from materials such as PET, PC. Overprint is carried out usually in the screen printing technology. Both the panel and overprint, are resistant to mechanical damage, high temperature, UV radiation, water and detergents.

Customized marking for electrical equipment front side. Made from materials such as PET, PC. Overprint is carried out usually in the screen printing technology. Both the panel and overprint, are resistant to mechanical damage, high temperature, UV radiation, water and detergents.

Labels used to marking the printed circuit boards. Requirements to be met is the resistance to high temperatures, about> + 300C, and chemicals used in the process of SMT or THT assembly. Overprint of labels is obtained mostly via thermal transfer technology and the application on the PCB is carried out through the dispensing devices. The highest quality label coating and high-quality adhesives used in the label material guarantee the stability of the process of printed circuit boards automatic marking.

Special foils coated with a temperature-sensitive dye that is released in the process of thermal transfer printing. Because of temperature (of the print head) the ribbon releases its pigment on a selected type of substrate. Depending on the material used, as well as the print durability, different ribbon types are recommended: wax (for printing on paper and cardboard), wax-resin (for printing on paper, cardboard and PP, PE) resin (for printing on synthetic materials ), textile (a type of resin tapes / printing on materials like nylon, satin, etc.).

Wax ribbons have a low melting point of the dye coated from a ribbon. Therefore, such overprint has limited resistance to smearing and abrasion. They are dedicated for printing paper labels and cardboard tags. Most wax thermal transfer ribbons contain trace amounts of resin (so-called Resin Enhanced Wax), which increases overprint resistance to smearing and abrasion.

Wax/resin ribbons, in contrast to the wax ones contain significantly more resin. They are used similarly to wax ribbons, but require a higher printing temperature. Ribbon characteristics allows a significant overprint resistance to external factors. These are the most versatile thermal transfer ribbons (printing paper labels, coated and uncoated cardboards, synthetic materials such as PP, PE).

Thermal transfer resin ribbons are used for printing foil labels and plastic tags made of polyester (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), nylon, vinyl (PVC) and other. Overprinted resin ribbon is resistant to abrasion at high temperature, chemicals, solvents and detergents.

They allow to print in thermal transfer technology directly on products, without having to use a label. They can be used at high operating speed (> 1000 m / s) which significantly improves productivity. Mainly used in the FMCG, or pharmaceutical industry. Currently, wax-resin ribbons are being used for  TTO printing. Due to the increasing demands of customers resin ribbons are introduced to the inline (TTO) printing.

Special insulation elements made of dielectric materials – mainly of polycarbonate, polyester or pressboard or a combination of these materials. Their task is to create a heat barrier and protection against electrical charges, where sudden voltage spikes can damage electronic components. By sticking an additional layer of copper or aluminum foil we obtain possibility of EMI / RFI shielding. The materials used for the production of insulators must meet strict standards for flammability. They are usually supplied in the form of patterns with additional adhesive film or double-sided adhesive tape which enables adhesion to most surfaces.

High-tech labels allowing automatic identification of products, by reading data via radio in HF, UHF and NFC technology. This solution allows, among others, optimization of processes in many areas of business such as production and stock management. Depending on the application, the labels can be prepared from a variety of materials in any size. The information on the label may be either in the form of text, graphics and codes, as well as in the form of data encoded in the RFID tag.

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