Flexography: It sounds like something your yoga instructor teaches, but it’s actually the backbone of modern label and packaging printing. If you’ve ever picked up a bottle of shampoo, a candy bar, or a can of soda and admired the label (or just didn’t notice it at all because it was so cleanly printed), flexo was likely behind it.

So how did this printing workhorse evolve from messy beginnings to the slick, high-speed marvel it is today? Let’s rewind.

From Toxic Beginnings to a Total Rebrand

Back in the late 1800s, the earliest version of flexo was known as aniline printing. It used rubber printing plates and, unfortunately, toxic aniline dyes that made regulators raise eyebrows and printers reach for respirators.

Fast-forward to 1951: The industry needed a glow-up. The name “flexography” was born—thanks to a naming contest won by Franklin Moss—and the process shed its hazardous inks in favor of safer alternatives. New name, new inks, new era.

The Glow-Up: Key Flexo Innovations

Flexo didn’t just get safer—it got smarter, faster, and way better-looking. Some game-changing moments:

• Photopolymer Plates (1970s–80s) – Replaced rubber plates for sharper detail and longer plate life. Basically, HD before HD was a thing.
• Doctor Blade Systems (1980s) – Gave printers more control over ink flow. Cleaner prints, less mess.
• CI (Central Impression) Presses – Kept everything in perfect alignment, even at high speeds. Essential for crisp, colorful designs.
• UV & Water-Based Inks – Environmentally friendly and fast-drying. Because breathing clean air is cool.
• Digital Integrations (2000s+) – CTP, automation, and real-time monitoring brought flexo into the digital age—cutting setup time and improving precision.

Why Flexo Owns the Label Game

Flexography is the go-to for labels, especially when you’re printing millions of the same design. Why?

• It handles all kinds of materials (paper, plastic, foil—you name it).
• It’s fast. Like, really fast.  Like many 100’s of feet per minute!  So fast, we add cameras to our presses so we can better see our work.
• It produces sharp, vibrant results.
• It scales beautifully, making it ideal for everything from stickers to full-on product packaging.

Flexo’s Future: Smarter, Greener, Even Better

Flexography isn’t just coasting on past wins. It’s evolving. Here’s what’s coming next:

• Eco Everything – Biodegradable materials, energy-efficient presses, and non-toxic inks are driving sustainable printing forward.
• Hybrid Printing – Marrying digital and flexo for the best of both worlds: flexibility and scalability.
• Tech-Enhanced Quality – New innovations in platemaking, automation, and press design are pushing flexo’s limits—and making offset and gravure sweat a little.

Flexography started as the underdog. Messy, misunderstood, and a little dangerous. But now? It’s the reliable powerhouse behind much of what you see on store shelves.

So next time you peel a label or open some slick packaging, just know: there’s a rich (and surprisingly cool) printing history behind that perfect print.

If you are looking for personalized labels and stickers you have come to the right place. At MR Label Co. we specialize in custom labels tailored to fit your application. If you are new to ordering labels and stickers don’t worry, this guide will walk you through every step of the process.

Ideation

Every label starts out with an idea. This can be something as simple as having a purpose in mind for a label. If you have an idea and end goal for something you want to stick, we can do the heavy lifting to help you bring that idea to life.

Contact MR Label Co.

Once you have an idea for a label give us a call or email. Someone will work with you to specify additional characteristics of your label. We will ask you questions surrounding:

• The end use of your label
• The surface it will be applied to and the surrounding environment
• The size and shape of the label
• The material and adhesive needed – (if you don’t our experts will assist in finding the right material, overlaminate, and adhesive)
• Hand or auto applied
• Sheets or Rolls
• How many labels are needed for your product/usage

Alternatively, if you know your label’s specifications you can fill out a quote request form.

Estimation

When we know the specifics of your label we can start quoting pricing. Pricing and estimated production time will be offered to you once the quote is completed.

Placing an Order

After you have reviewed the pricing from our estimate and decided how many labels you want, it is time to place an order. This can come in the form of a purchase order or as an email detailing the label you want, how many, and when you need them by.

Order Processing

Upon receiving your order, we will send you an email to confirm that we can deliver it on time (our lead-time is usually 10 business days). We then place the order into our system and create a physical file for our press operators to reference as they start printing. At this point we will also order any material needed.

Art

To proceed with the order, we need to know how you want your end label to look. You can send us a file of your artwork, or our graphic designer can create the art for you. After the file is prepped and ready we will send you a proof file to verify we are printing the exact label you want.

Printing

When ready to print we use one of the following techniques depending on production volume, quality, and material.

• Flexographic printing is ideal for high-volume runs. This method uses printing plates wrapped around a cylinder to stamp fast-drying inks on material.
• Screen printing is perfect for durable, high-opacity labels with vibrant colors. This method uses a squeegee to push thick layers of ink through a screen exposed stencil onto the substrate.
• Digital printing is best for short runs and customization. This method uses inkjet or laser technology to create high-resolution, full-color labels.

Finishing

Finishing enhances labels with protective and decorative elements. Coatings like UV varnish or lamination improve durability, while die-cutting shapes the labels to precise specifications. This type of finishing can be done either on sheets or rolls.  Additional effects such as foil stamping, embossing, and spot gloss create a premium look.

Rewinding

If the labels are produced using the flexographic printing process, the labels are wound onto smaller rolls for easier handling and application. Rolls are customized to fit your preferred roll diameter and label orientation. Labels can also be fan folded or sheeted off press.

Shipping

Your finished labels will proceed to go to shipping where they are packaged and prepared for delivery. We will confirm your address, billing details, and preferred shipping method before sending them off.

Final Result- Your Labels

Finally, you will receive your personalized stickers or labels, custom-built for you throughout every step of the process.

If you are ready to start ordering your custom labels, contact us today!

Elevating Your Brand with Hot or Cold Foil Stamping, Embossing/Debossing, Fluorescents, Doming, Soft Touch or Varnish, Delam/Relam, Turnbar Printing, Extended Content Labels, and Scratch Offs

In today’s competitive marketplace, brands must find innovative ways to stand out on the shelf and create a lasting impression on the consumer. Label embellishments is one effective way to achieve this. The enhancement of labels can help elevate your product packaging, boost brand recognition, and enhance consumer engagement. In this news blog, we will explore these label embellishments in-depth and discuss how each process can add value to your product.

Cold or Hot Foil Stamping

Hot stamping applies a thin layer of metallic or pigmented foil to the label surface using heat and pressure. Cold foil stamping does not use heat but rather is applied to an area where a varnish or primer was printed on in the previous station. Cold foil is an ideal option for high-speed applications. While hot foil stamping provides a more luxurious and durable finish, cold foiling allows for intricate details and faster production on the printing press.

Embossing and Debossing

Printing with the emboss process raises specific design or graphic on the label surface, creating a raised feel texture for the consumer. The debossing process has a reverse effect versus embossing, by pressing the graphic into the material for a recessed effect. Both embellishments add texture and depth, enhancing the sensory and visual appeal of labels.

Fluorescent Inks

The printing of fluorescent inks is achieved with high-impact vivid colors that appear to glow under certain lighting conditions. These inks are useful for labels that need to be highly visible such as promotional stickers, safety labels, and limited-edition products.

Doming

Doming is an embellishment that is created through resin being placed over existing printed labels, resulting in a raised bubble-like 3D effect on the product.

Soft Touch Inks or Varnish

The printing of varnish or soft touch inks creates a unique texture/feel onto the label, which helps stand out from existing competitive products when the customer touches the product due to the sophisticated and premium feel on the label. This type of ink creates a tactile finish and conveys quality and luxury to that said product’s packaging.

Delamination/Relamination

Delam/Relam is an embellishment process where our printing press can remove the label from the liner, print onto the adhesive, and then re-apply or “relaminate” the label back onto the liner. This print process can be used to print any additional information onto the other side of the label.

Turnbar Printing

Turnbar Printing is a printing technique added to the existing print process where the label stock is turned upside down onto the printing press and allows ink to be placed onto the liner of the material. This is typically requested for instructions on how to apply the label or add any additional information onto the liner.

Extended Content Labels (ECL)

Extended Content Labels add additional information to the label but can only be seen after the consumer or handler folds, peels back, or expands the label. Extra adhesive is placed on one corner of the label, which allows the product to store safety information, promotional messages, or detailed instructions.

Scratch Off Inks

Scratch Off inks are placed onto the existing label to hide information underneath. These inks are used for contests, security purposes, or promotional applications.

General Benefits of Label Embellishments

• Elevates Product Packaging: Add sophistication and high-end appeal to the product.
• Boosts Brand Recognition: Create unique tactile and unique experiences that consumers remember.
• Enhances Consumer Engagement: Encourage interaction through texture, reflective, and vibrant colors.
• Increases Perceived Value: Signal quality and luxury, helping justify premium pricing.

Are you ready to take your labels to the next level? Contact us to explore customization options and bring your vision to life!

Are you searching for a high-quality, high-volume custom label manufacturer? For 49 years MR Label Co. has been a hub for businesses seeking top-tier labels for various industries. In this guide, we’ll explore the services offered by MR Label Co. and the benefits of making them your label supplier.

Why Choose MR Label Co. for High-Volume Label Manufacturing?

Experienced Workforce
MR Label Co. is home to skilled professionals with expertise in graphic design, printing, and adhesive technologies. Our employees have an impressive average tenure of 18 years.

Cost-Effective Solutions
MR Label Co. offers competitive pricing without compromising on quality, making it an attractive option for businesses of all sizes.

Diverse Industry Expertise
From small startups to Fortune 500 companies, MR Label Co. caters to a variety of industries, customizing solutions for every business.

Central Location
MR Label Co’s Cincinnati location provides easy access to transportation networks, enabling quick and reliable shipping nationwide. This minimizes lead times and lowers costs.

Key Features of Partnering with MR Label Co.

What can you expect when you partner with us:

Custom Label Design

Whether you need product labels, shipping labels, or promotional labels, we are here to help. Using cutting-edge technology, our experienced print and design team will work with you to make sure your labels are visually appealing and functional.

High-Quality Materials

MR Label Co. sources durable materials such as vinyl, polypropylene, polyester, and paper to produce long-lasting labels that withstand wear and tear.

Modern Printing and Finishing Techniques

State-of-the-art printing techniques, including flexographic, digital, and screen printing, ensure vibrant colors, crisp text, and precise graphics. After printing the labels can be cut to a custom shape/size; laminated or varnished; and rewound to meet your preferences. If you are looking to boost the visual appeal of your label, ask us about embossing and cold foil enhancements.

Bulk Ordering Discounts

Volume pricing is ideal for businesses that need large quantities of labels. Volume discounts make it easier to manage costs while meeting high demand.

Quick Turnaround Times

We prefer 10 business days to guarantee the best service. We carry a wide range of materials in our shop however, extra time allows us to obtain all the materials needed for your project. This period also gives us the time necessary to get your artwork approved and ready for production.

Our average turnaround time is 7-8 business days.

Custom Shapes and Sizes

We provide labels in many shapes and sizes to suit different products, from small jars to large shipping boxes. Die-cutting services produce precise dimensions for unique designs.

Types of Labels Offered by MR Label Co.

MR Label Co. offers a wide array of products and services that can enhance your brand image, streamline operations, and achieve your business goals! No matter what your business needs, if you have an idea of how a label could help, we can work with you to develop a creative solution.

Below is a list of labels we commonly supply for businesses but is far from the full picture. Explore even more of our offering to see how we can best meet your needs.

Some of what we produce includes:

Compliance labels

MR Label has been a UL Authorized Label Supplier and specializes in helping clients meet UL label requirements. We also offer a variety of substrates approved by the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). If your label needs to be ETL/Intertek, we use our approved UL/CSA materials and ink systems for all ETL labeling. MR Label Co. also has a durable yet cost effective polypropylene construction that satisfies GHS compliance needs.

Durable Industrial Labels

Designed for harsh environments, these labels are resistant to chemicals, abrasion, and extreme temperatures. They are widely used in manufacturing and automotive industries.

Product Labels

Perfect for branding and packaging, these labels include information such as ingredients, usage instructions, and logos. They are used across industries like food, beverages, cosmetics, and household goods.

Shipping and Logistics Labels

These labels are essential for tracking and organizing shipments. Features like barcodes are QR codes are commonly included.

Promotional Labels

These eye-catching labels are used for marketing purposes, such as discounts, special offers, and event promotions.

Security Labels

Security features like tamper-evident seals help protect your products from counterfeiting.

Variable Data Labels

Variable data labels enable personalized or sequential data (e.g., serial numbers, unique barcodes, or names) to be printed on labels, ideal for marketing campaigns, tracking, or compliance needs.

How to Get Started

Ready to order labels? Here are the steps you can take to get started:

Define Your Needs
Determine the type of labels you need, potential quantities, and any specific requirements such as material, size, design, and more.

Request a Quote

Once your needs are defined, request a quote and we can write up the estimated costs for you to evaluate.

Request Samples
Ask for samples to assess the quality of materials, printing, and finishes.

Place Your Order
When you are ready, contact us to place your order. Provide detailed specifications to ensure your labels meet your expectations.

Make MR Label Co your Bulk Label Manufacturer

Partnering with MR Label Co. offers a winning combination of quality, affordability, and convenience. Whether you need custom product labels, industrial tags, or promotional labels, we are equipped to deliver outstanding results.

Take advantage of our expertise in label manufacturing and set your business up for success! For more information contact us by our form, email us at Mrlabel@mrlabelco.com, or call us at 513-681-2088.