Re: Technical Writing and Label Production

["Donald J. Plummer" <donp -at- BGNET -dot- BGSU -dot- EDU>]

>Is there anyone out there who designs and produces product labels, along
>with product documentation? We want to spend less time on labels and more
>time on manual production and other value added duties, but the company is
>small and we wear a variety of hats. For now, we  are keeping track of how
>many hours we spend on labels alone.
>
>If there is a label expert out there,  what software package do you use.
>We (TWs) design the label in CorelDraw, give the design to the packaging
>engineer, who then recreates the text in PrintWare. The text is printed on
>label stock, produced by an outside vendor from our design. There is a lot
>of duplicate work involved. We apply serial numbers, dates, etc. in-house,
>so software must have a counting mechanism.
>
>Any information would help us.
>
>Lynda Shindley
>Sr. Technical Writer
>lshindley -at- angeion -dot- com
>

Lynda:

I used to work for a label manufacturer.  I don't know whether I can help
you, but I'll try.

First, it would be helpful to know what kind of printing process you are
using to produce your labels.  Offset and flexographic are common for
label-making, but other printing technologies may be used.  We used
flexographic where I worked.  This influenced the software we used--our
choice was Adobe Illustrator, because it allowed the label design to be
distorted to minute percentages, something the flexographic process
requires.  You may have different requirements, depending on the process
you are using.  CorelDraw is certainly a good option for label design and
layout, but it may or may not be your best choice for the particular
printing process you are using.

Also, it would be good to know if your labels are primarily typesetting or
if complex graphics and art is involved.  Are the labels printed in one
color or more than one color?  Or, are you using CMYK process colors?

If the labels are primarily typesetting, are one color (black on white?),
and you need to apply serial numbering, investing in a thermographic
printer might be a good way to go.

don


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Donald J. Plummer
Department of English
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, Ohio

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Donald J. Plummer
Department of English
Bowling Green State University
Bowling Green, Ohio

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