Address Labels

Address Labels are big business. Address Labels are used as an essential communication tool. They provide important information to distribution companies for mailing and shipping items. People rely heavily on distribution companies as a means of communicating with people receiving and delivering goods. People provide the delivery details using address labels. Using adhesive labels is professional, efficient and cost effective.

Printing address labels is now so simple. Printing your own labels can be done using your desktop printer at the click of a button. Desktop printers use A4 sheet labels, fanfold labels and roll labels. The sheet labels are inkjet labels, laser labels and copier labels in one. They are compatible with inkjet printers, laser printers and photo copier machines. Roll labels tend to be used for specialised label printing machines. Large companies use addressing machines.

Addressing machines have come along way over time. The earliest known addressing machine was made in 1859. The patent for this was awarded to Robert Dick. The press printed columns of names and addresses onto paper. The sheets of names and addresses were then glued together to form a roll. These rolls were then fed through rollers and then through a tank containing adhesive. The printed paper was then fed to a cutter. The machine was placed over the envelopes requiring address labels. When the paper was cut, the paper was pressed onto the envelope producing an address label. This addressing machine enables two people to address 4,000 items per hour therefore saving labour and time.

In 1860 stencils were used to address items. Custom made stencils were made and used to label items. See the diagram below of Holt’s self inking rotary stamp used for labelling parcels. In 1886 Dennison and Co were selling cardboard shipping labels with string attached and offered a print to order service to customers.

In 1877 another form of address labels was introduced using parchment paper and an electronic pen that would print names and addresses. The item to be addressed would be placed under the parchment paper. The typewriter was then introduced using sheets of parchment paper attached to a cardboard frame which was known as the addressing machine stencil.

In 1896 Joseph S Duncan wanted to design a machine that would address letters and invoices and so was the first to patent an addressing machine in the U.S., the Addressograph. This was a development of an earlier invention in 1892 which imprinted names and addresses onto rubber material and glued it onto wooden blocks. After the earlier Addressograph the Graphotype machine was patented. The graphotype was designed as a support machine for the addressograph making metal plates. These metal plates were for the addressograph and used for imprinting. The graphotype machine was also used to make military dog tags.

Until around 1910 both rubber type and embossed metal plate addressing machines were available. These machines were hand and foot operated and later electric powered machines were introduced.

In the early 1930’s R Stanton Avery manufacturers introduced the first self adhesive labels and made a successful business out of it. The paper label had an adhesive backing and then this was placed onto a silicone coated liner. This technique was called pressure sensitive and is a big part of our lifestyle today.

At Eurolabels we are experts in manufacturing adhesive labels and are one of the most comprehensive Address Label suppliers in the UK. Our staff have over 50 years experience in manufacturing self adhesive labels, sticky labels, sheet labels and roll labels both plain and printed. We can print the labels for you what ever the design, shape or size. For a bespoke quote call our freephone number on 0800 342 3170 or email sales@eurolabels.co.uk. Eurolabels offer every single customer the opportunity to buy adhesive labels online direct with the manufacturer – with no middle man involved to burden you with extra unnecessary costs. Visit us at www.eurolabels.co.uk.