Body labels first
Often useful when side belts provide the main product datum, provided later neck-label contact does not disturb fresh body-label edges.
Multi-head bottle labelling
Front, back and neck labelling machines
Multi-head bottle labelling for two body labels plus a neck, shoulder or closure label, planned around product control and the complete application sequence.
Three-label bottle route
Coordinate front, back and neck application as one process
A bottle that needs two body labels plus a neck, shoulder or closure label is a multi-head application. The third label should not be treated as an afterthought: its shape, curvature, orientation and wipe-down method can influence product control and the order in which labels are applied.
Front and back labels normally use two side-mounted applicators. A neck or shoulder label may require a separate head, a dedicated application tool or a different product orientation. The final arrangement must be established from samples and a marked-up drawing.
- Define whether the third label sits on a vertical neck, sloped shoulder, cap or tamper-evident area.
- Confirm whether the closure is fitted before the labelling stage.
- Show where guides, belts and wipe-down devices may contact the pack.
- Specify all three label rolls separately.
Application map
Information required for each label position
| Front label | Nominal datum, horizontal and vertical tolerance, label material, artwork orientation and any clear area around a panel radius. |
|---|---|
| Back label | Independent size and position, barcode direction, mandatory information area and relationship to the front label. |
| Neck or shoulder label | Surface angle, circumference, closure overhang, label shape, overlap if any and the pressure method needed to follow the curvature. |
| Tamper-evident label | State the required finished function and the surfaces it bridges. This may need a specialist application and product-specific validation. |
| Print or inspection | Define any batch code, date, barcode or camera check and ensure the label remains visible to the printer or inspection system. |
Sequence selection
Choose the order that protects product stability and label finish
Neck label first
May help when the neck application needs open access, but the applied label must tolerate downstream guides and hold-down devices.
Separate station
Can be more practical when the third label needs a very different orientation, dwell time, inspection method or changeover routine.
Trial requirement: use the final bottle, closure and label stocks. Curvature, surface finish and closure position can change the result even when artwork dimensions remain the same.
Acceptance brief
Test the three labels independently and as a complete pack
- Approve a drawing showing all three nominal label positions and measurement datums.
- Record the product orientation and closure state at the infeed.
- Run the complete label sequence at the agreed normal rate.
- Measure front, back and neck positions separately.
- Inspect skew, bubbles, wrinkles, edge lift and any interference between labels.
- Include starts, stops, roll changes and a representative format change.
- Verify coding and inspection functions where included in scope.
Review a front, back and neck label layout
Send the closed bottle, all label rolls, a marked-up drawing and the target line rate. Lancing can assess whether the third label should be integrated into one machine or handled by a separate station.