Computer labels, also known as pin feed labels, are a popular label type used in various small scale industries. Pin feed labels have been in use since printers and computers were sold for industrial use. Even today, computer labels are still used by local offices for quick and easy printing.

The name pin feed derives from the perforated holes along the side of the labels. These are fixed onto the pin track of a dot matrix printer. The advantage of the pin feeds is that the information printed on a computer label is properly aligned, and the information is presented in a clear and concise manner. The simple design and structure of the labels makes it easy to produce different types of designs for various applications.

Computer Label Design

Earlier, computer stickers were printed with simple white paper, using only black or blue ink for printing information. Today, a variety of materials are used to design and print pin feed stickers. Matte paper with a self adhesive is one popular type. Clear computer stickers are usually made with transparent polyester, polypropylene, and polyolefin. These materials are also used to manufacture high gloss, synthetic and metallic computer stickers. There are two basic formats that are used by stickers manufacturers – fan folded and rolled. Each format provides unique advantages. Fan folded stickers are rectangular shaped and are perfect for large label printing applications. The fan folded design keeps the stickers flat, and so the labels are popularly used for printing tickets and card stocks. Rolled stickers are known for their printing flexibility. They can be printed using roll fed printers, digital printers, and even customized label printers. The versatility of roll fed stickers also enhances printing productivity. Rolled computer stickers can also be printed in various shapes.

Benefits of Computer Labels

The simplicity and versatility of computer stickers provides many benefits to the end user:

They are smudge proof, so they can be used in applications requiring water resistant labels.
They can be designed as plain white, or with a variety of colors.
Computer stickers do not jam or tear off during printing.
They can be designed with adhesives for temporary and permanent applications.
Pin feed labels are extremely cost-effective as they are always sold in bulk orders.
They can be printed as blank, using a 4 color process, or a 7 color process.

Computer Label Applications

Pin feed labels are used by a number of small scale businesses, warehouses, and distribution companies. They are also utilized for creating office labels comprising the brand design and company information. Postal offices use computer labels as mailing labels. They can also be used for content labels, product labels, and bar code labels. Thanks to their versatility and ease of use, computer labels are still popular among end users around the world.