Labeler recommendations

[Erin Reynolds]

Hello All! 

First time posting,  I did a search through the older postings on labeling machines and wanted to see if anyone had any feedback on the ones below for an operation our size. 

We are a relatively small cidery, located in Central New York State that is growing and looking for a labeler to help us get through at least the next 4 years or so of growth. We currently hand label 750ml bottles that have separate front and back labels that are 4 inches in height. We label after bottles have been filled and are dry and at room temperature. We hope to produce about 8,000 bottles of cider in 2023, around 15,000 in 2024 and approximately 20,000 for the 2 years following that. 

Below is a list of ones I have seen recommendations for: 

Hand crank labeler: 

Easylabeler: I am unsure how to distinguish between the models as most seem to fit the dimensions of our label and bottle size. Does anyone have experiences with a specific model? 

https://www.easylabeler.com/findyourmodel/

Race Label RL/RZ: This one is straight forward, but I wonder at having to do 20,000 bottles on it. Does it work well for front and back labels? Is anyone using this at that scale? 

https://racelabel.com/rl-rz/ 

Electronic: 

Primera AP362: This one seems recommended in the chat, does anyone know if they fixed the gumming up of the sensor? 

https://www.primera.com/ap362-label-applicator-config.html

MT-50: I have seen videos of this machine online.   Does anyone here have experience with it? Has anyone bought it stateside and have a good supplier to purchase it from? 

https://www.sumeve.com/product/automatic-round-labeling-machine-bottle-label-applicator-for-round-bottles-mt50/ 

ET-LAB semi-automatic labeller: Has anyone used this labeler? Does it justify the price? 

https://www.tardito.com/english.html#:~:text=The%20semiautomatic%20bench%2Dtype%20labeller,alternate%20on%20the%20same%20reel. 

Any Info would be greatly appreciated. 

May you find water and shade, 

Erin 

Uncommon Kin Cidery

[dhruv...@gmail.com]

Hi,

I have a machine that looks identical to the MT-50 with the coding attachment and found it to be an absolute nightmare. The backing paper of the label roll needs to be very strong if you do use this machine. The threads which push backing paper against the rubber roller did not last very long and now this machine simply sits in a corner gathering dust since spare part are not available. The coding attachment is too fiddly and the timing of the stamp with the motor of the labeller seems to have a mind of its own.

Best to buy a quality machine once.

dhruv.

[Joe Klare]

I also have a MT-50 looking machine I bought at auction for pretty cheap and have run about 20,000 cans through it so far. It is a little finnicky and the spent roll can be a problem as it tugs against the motor. Your arm gets tired of pulling the lever too.

We switched from waxy paper label backing to a plastic film, and it has gotten much better (not ripping, etc.). We use it for cans, so condensation dripping onto the label backing paper made it tear frequently and need to be reset, but you may not have this problem if you aren't bottling carbonated cider.  We haven't used it for bottles yet, but will be doing our first 750ml bottled cider in a few weeks and if I have any issues will  report back here.

Joe

Northwood Cider Co.

[CiderSupply.com]

We use the MT-50. 

The pros: 

Economical 110V machine.

Bought new on Ebay from one of the China factory distributors for about $600. Came well packed in wooden crate in 20 days. If made in the us it would cost easily $2000.

Applies labels and cans and bottles as fast as you can load them.

Once tension and tracking are correctly set up, (totally trial and error) the labels go on cans perfectly every time. 

We have done about 22,000 already and machine is 3-years old.

Very pleased with it for cans and anything else that is perfectly round.

We bought another one of these (220V) with a date printer head for $750, and allows us to get large numbers of labels printed at bulk prices but with ABV blank, so we just change out the number dies for different ABV batches.

The cons: 

No decent manual, so you have to google other users online for fine tuning and set up if not mechanically inclined. And even then it doesn't hurt to listen/watch. Setup is tricky so be patient.

4mil labels work better than thinner labels and the the thinner ones can rip/tear and have inconsistent tracking.

typically we must keep the labeler set for one size of labels, so you don't have to keep setting up machine for different sizes. 

cans it works perfectly, bottles not as well. Part of the problem is that most bottles are not perfectly round as a can and are either tapered, lumpy, or out of round. this causes a perfectly set up labeler to have non stop issues with alignment and wrinkles. This is especially true on long full wrap around labels. So the work around is have shorter labels. The problem would also be helped is one could slow down the machine, so it is slow like the Primera AP362. 

Verify all fasteners are tight from the factory.

Cheers 

Chris Rylands

Renaissance Orchards

Ferndale WA. USA

[Wayne Bush]

Erin, I spent ages researching labellers.  Two big factors for me were cost (I'm a small artisanal producer; every investment has to pay for itself) and ease of use (after a day of disgorging cider the last thing I want to do is mess around with a fiddly label machine).  My volumes are smaller than your projected volumes.  I was about to buy the primera when I came across this maker:    Flexlabeller - Stellin.  I ended up buying their "Evoluzione" model and haven't had a minute's trouble with it.  Your 2024 projected volume amounts to about 400 bottles a week to label--I can easily imagine the labeller doing that volume.   Don't know about availability in the US but since the model I bought is not electric don't see why they couldn't ship it to you.  NB., I use the manual stamping kit to add lot numbers and alcohol percentage to the labels as I go, and bought the additional attachment for front and back labels as well.  Maybe others on the forum have tried it as well?  

[Wayne Bush]

PS - I hit send too soon.  A few other things to consider when you switch from hand labelling to using a machine--along the lines of Chris' message above:  make sure your label fits in the "recessed" part of your bottle (if your bottle has a slight recess) so the labels don't scratch each other when packed in a box or case, and don't wrinkle when they are put on the bottle.  Make sure the label roll width, thickness, and core size will work with the labeller you choose.  If you have an unusual shaped bottle, a good printer can help make sure that the shape of the label will work with the bottle.  Good luck, Wayne

[HappyDogFarm]

Great thread, and thank you for the shared research and experience!