Glossary

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LABEL

A method by which to apply identification to an object. The functional portion of a pressure sensitive construction comprising the face material and adhesive, die cut into the shape desired. Refer NS. See front of Glossary for representative illustration.

LABEL PANEL

Main panel of a container specifically created for the purpose of placing the pressure sensitive label.

LABEL STOCK - LABELSTOCK

Pressure sensitive laminate from which labels are converted; usually refers to roll stock. Refer NS & LM specification sheets.

LABELLING MACHINE

Dispensing apparatus that, by means of driving or pulling the backing (liner), delivers a pressure sensitive label and applies it to a product.

LACQUER

A clear protective coating, usually glossy, applied to a printed web in-line on a label press just prior to die-cutting.

LADDER - See MATRIX

LAMINANT

An adhesive for combining and bonding a combination of films, foils, plastics, papers or other materials. Pressure sensitive constructions are often called laminants.

LAMINATE

A web of material formed by bonding two or more materials together as in a pressure sensitive construction. To apply one layer of material over another. Refer NS & LM specification sheets.

LAMINATION

A plastic film bonded by heat, adhesive, and/or pressure to a printed web for protection or appearance. Two or more materials bonded together functioning as one (1).

LAND - See TIE

LASER PAPER

Paper suitable to accept laser printing. Labelstock used to produce labels in sheets (A4) for laser printers must be able to withstand heat and bending around rollers within the laser printer. Refer LM specification sheets.

LASER PRINTING

A method of printing which utilises a laser beam to put images onto a substrate. Usually the surface of the substrate must have specific characteristics to accept laser printing. Common desk-top laser printers actually transfer the image to a toner roller which then fuses the toner to the paper using heat and/or a laser beam. Check manuals from machines to see if they are true lasers before producing labels. Most machines have paper specifications in their manuals, and also refer to Labelstock.

LASER SCANNER

An optical reading device using a low energy laser light beam as its source of illumination.

LATEX

An emulsion of rubber or resin particles dispersed in an aqueous (water based) medium. A natural or synthetic elastomeric dispersion in an aqueous system.

LATEX PAPER

Paper manufactured by two major processes; one of which is where latex is incorporated with the fibres in the beater prior to formation of the sheet, and the second of which is where a preformed web of absorbent fibre is saturated with properly compounded latex. The papers are characterised by strength, folding endurance, resistance to penetration by water, flexibility, durability and resistance to abrasion. Refer Labelstock manufacturers specification sheet.

LATMA - FEDERAL. LATMA AUSTRALIA LTD

(The) Label & Tag Manufacturers' Association of Australia Ltd. Membership is made up of each member state with two (2) representatives from each state (usually the President & one other elected person) attending meetings etc. at least twice every year. LATMA Australia deals with issues such as Training, National and International Standards, Imports, Bi-Annual Conferences, Overseas Conferences and any other issue that members are likely to pursue. The National President is elected from the committee and serves for two years. LATMA Australia and the states are affiliated with PIAA in Australia, FINAT in Europe and TLMI in United States of America. LATMA Australia Ltd Secretariat resides in New South Wales at PIAA headquarters.

LATMA - STATE.

Each represented LATMA state has its own constitution and conducts both social and working meetings through the vehicle of its committee. Usually two members of the committee are elected to represent that state's point of view at the National Committee meetings. The President is elected by ballot. The secretariat of each state LATMA usually resides in the PIAA Office in that state.

LAY FLAT

A label material with good non-curling characteristics making it suitable for automatic over-wrapping, insertion or any other form of further processing requiring a flat sheet (Stay flat). Refer NS & LM specification sheets.

LAY-UP - See ARTWORK

LAYOUT

The drawing or sketch of a proposed design. Usually precedes formal artwork.

LDPE

->4 PLASTIC

LEGGING

The stringing out of a pressure sensitive adhesive which frequently occurs following die-cutting when the matrix or waste skeleton id being stripped.

LETRASET

The dry transfer of lettering (similar to a transfer) from a carrier sheet by pressure. One letter or symbol at a time, usually performed by rubbing the transfer through a protective sheet.

LETTERPRESS

Printing process which employs a relief or raised inked image which comes into direct contact with the material being printed. Hard relief plates and oil based or Ultra Violet inks are used. Refer NS.

LEUCO DYES

Used in the manufacture of some grades of IR, direct thermal papers.

LEXAN

General Electric Company (USA) trademark for polycarbonate film.

LIFTING

Defect where label exhibits some degree of lifting from the applied surface. Refer NS for test procedure.

LIGHT PEN

A hand-held scanning wand which is used as a contact bar code reader.

LIGHT RESISTANCE - See FADING

The ability of a plastic material to resist fading after exposure to sunlight, ultra violet light or weathering. Nearly all plastics tend to darken under these conditions. This also applies to inks and pressure sensitive labelstock face material. Also called Light Fast when printing inks are referred to. Refer NS, IM & LM specification sheets.

LINE AND SCREEN

Any reproduction of line and single or multiple screenwork not utilising the combination of the three primary colours. Any number of colours can be utilised.

LINE HOLE PUNCHING - See FEED SLOTS

LINE WIDTH REDUCTION

Degree of gain allowed for when making up bar code films.

LINER - See BACKING

LITHOGRAPHIC PAPER

A paper coated on at least one side, suitably prepared for lithographic printing.

LOGO

The abbreviation or trade jargon for logotype. Name, symbol or mark to identify a company (trademark).

LOSS OF TACK

The adhesive loses its adhesion properties; does not grab the product as well as it should. Refer NS for test procedure & LM specification sheets.

LUMINESCENT PIGMENTS

Special pigments available to produce striking effects in the dark. Basically there are two types; one is activated by ultra violet radiation (usually black light), producing very strong luminescence. The second is known as phosphorescent pigments and does not require any separate source of radiation.