Labels and manufacture thereof

Abstract

An apparatus and method for producing a succession of self-adhesive labels carried on a length of release material is provided in which a succession of images are digitally printed on a self-adhesive web, the web is die cut to form a succession of self-adhesive labels on a length of release material, and the web is adhered to the backing of release material between the printing and die-cutting steps, so that during the printing step different images can be printed in alternation on the web, and the web can be folded.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method of producing a succession of self-adhesive labels carried on a length of release material, the method including the steps of: 
 (a) digitally printing by electrophotographic imaging a succession of images on a web; and    (b) die cutting the web to form a succession of self-adhesive labels on a length of release material.    
     
     
         2 . A method according to    claim 1    wherein in the printing step different images are printed in alternation on the web.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to    claim 1    wherein continuously variable information is additionally printed on the web in the printing step.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to    claim 1    wherein the web is printed on both sides thereof.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to    claim 1    wherein the web is folded after the printing step and prior to being adhered to the backing of release material.  
     
     
         6 . A method of producing a succession of self-adhesive labels carried on a length of release material, the method including the steps of: 
 (a) digitally printing by electrophotographic imaging a succession of images on a web;    (b) cutting the printed web into a succession of labels; and    (c) adhering the succession of labels to a second web including a release material.    
     
     
         7 . A method according to    claim 6    wherein the labels are folded between the cutting and adhering steps.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to    claim 6    wherein the labels are further die-cut after being adhered to the second web.  
     
     
         9 . A method of producing a succession of self-adhesive labels carried on a length of release material, the method including the steps of: 
 (a) digitally printing by electrophotographic imaging a succession of images on a web;    (b) cutting the printed web into a succession of sheets; and    (c) adhering the succession of sheets to a second web including a release material.    
     
     
         10 . A method according to    claim 9    wherein the sheets are folded between the cutting and adhering steps.  
     
     
         11 . A method according to    claim 9    wherein the sheets are further die-cut after being adhered to the second web.  
     
     
         12 . Apparatus for producing a succession of self-adhesive labels step on a length of release backing material, the apparatus comprising a digital printing unit for printing by electrophotographic imaging a web with a succession of images, the web being adhered to a release backing material web before or after the printing by the printing unit, and a die-cutting device for die-cutting self-adhesive labels from the web.  
     
     
         13 . Apparatus according to    claim 12    further comprising a laminating device for laminating the printed web to a web of release material.  
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to    claim 13    further comprising a folding web device for introducing at least one longitudinal fold into the printed web.  
     
     
         15 . Apparatus for producing a succession of self-adhesive labels the on a length of release material, the apparatus comprising a digital printing unit for printing by electrophotographic imaging a succession of images on a web, a cutting device for cutting the web into a succession of labels, and label applying device for applying the labels to a web including a release material, the web labels being adhered to the web to form self-adhesive labels.  
     
     
         16 . Apparatus according to    claim 15    further comprising a folding device for folding the labels before they are applied to the web.  
     
     
         17 . A succession of self-adhesive labels carried on a length of release material, successive labels having at least two alternating images digitally printed by electrophotographic imaging.  
     
     
         18 . A succession of self-adhesive labels according to    claim 17    wherein selected labels are digitally printed with continuously variable information.  
     
     
         19 . A method of producing a succession of self-adhesive labels carried on a length of release material, the method including the steps of: 
 (a) digitally printing by electrophotographic imaging a succession of images on a web; and    (b) die cutting the web to form a succession of self-adhesive labels on a length of release material;    wherein the web is self-adhesive and is carried on a backing of release material, wherein the web is adhered to the backing of release material between the printing and die-cutting steps, wherein during the printing step different images are printed in alternation on the web, and wherein the web is folded after the printing step.