The history of self adhesive labels

Colorful paper labels have been used to identify products since the early 1880s. Introduced to America by European artists, this profession became known as lithography, the first commercial art. The goal was easy: catch the customer's eye. They used a gum to stick the label to the surface. As the fruit market grew larger each season, immense competition at the local markets erupted. Orchard owners used this new concept of lithography to bring attention to their fruit. Labels were used on cedar crates full of fruit, cans of vegetables, and boxes of cigars.

Today some of these labels are collectible and can be bought at antique stores.

In the early 1930s, an entrepreneur R. Stanton Avery manufactures the world's first self-adhesive labels and made it into a successful business. This label came with a paper surface with a coat of adhesive and then stick a liner onto the adhesive. This liner had a special silicone coating. The term pressure sensitive became the industry name for this type of technique. Pressure sensitive labels are and integral part of out lifestyle today.

The invention of the inkjet printer in the early 80s changed the future of labeling. As the inkjet printer began to commercialize, people started to print their own labels. A4 size sheets became the standard size for manufacturing label for inkjet printers. As the prices of inkjet printers and ink went down, the sales of inkjet labels exploded for home and business use. You did not have to rely on the label printer and pay the high costs.

Computers in every business and household!! Microsoft Windows included label templates in there Word program. Millions and Millions of people could print there own labels. In 1969 Gary Starkweather, at Xerox's research facility in Webster, New York, demonstrates using a laser beam with the xerography process to create a laser printer. In 1984 Hewlett-Packard introduces the LaserJet laser printer, featuring 300dpi resolution, for US$3,600. Quickly after that, price dropped rapidly and soon almost every business has one. In the early 1990s prices were so low the consumer started buying laser printers. The convenience of printing your own labels became popular. Many label software programs were introduced. The introduction of the laser printer only helped matters. Now u print labels with higher clarity, print much faster and really start bring down label printing cost at the home or business.

With Worldlabel.com coming along in 1993, its extensive resources for the development of adhesive labels, manufacturing in North America and Asia, making processional looking labels is only getting easier and easier for you. Purchasing labels online direct from the manufacturer helps bring all your label printing cost lower and lower. Worldlabel continues to be innovative with new labeling products. We hope to supply you with blank labels for laser and inkjet printing. And one day, the label material you bought from us, designed with our Worldlabel label design software, printed on your own printer, will become a very valuable collectible label one day.