The Centuries-Old History of Retail Labels
Retail labels – They are commonplace and something that most of us encounter every day. In the supermarket on cereal boxes, at the pharmacy on our medication bottles, at the bookshop on the bestsellers shelf; you name the product, and retail labels are on it. They are everywhere, and the market is undoubtedly expanding. However, while everyday items, these tags boast a longstanding and fascinating history that has truly humble beginnings. When we explore the history of labelling, it is pretty amazing how far technology has come. Today Teraoka boast a range of innovative and superior label printers for the retail sector and beyond, and we have been printing excellent quality labels since 1995. However, before exploring some of the key benefits of these devices, it’s well worth exploring how far the technology has come.
The first documented retail labels originated in the early 1700s and appeared on medicine bottles within the pharmaceutical industry. The tags were handwritten on handmade paper, and thus, the labelling process was a time consuming one. By the 18th century, newfound innovations had arisen, and many wineries utilised printed labels, though of course not via the thermal printing technology used today. Labels were still printed on handmade paper but now printed by virtue of a wooden printing press. They were then glued to the particular product by hand, and thus the process was once again a timely one. By 1830 labelling was gaining traction, and people began to realise its potential in enticing customers and making products more appealing and accessible. By the 1860s, colour printing became the order of the day, with retailers learning that colourful labels could entice customers and create an allure around the product. When you catch the customer’s eye, they realised, the greater the chance of a successful sale.
However, it wasn’t until 1932 that they began to enjoy global acclaim when U.S inventor R Stanton Avery developed self-adhesive labels. This technology revolutionised the ways in which people used labels and meant that people could quickly label products without the hassle of having to painstakingly glue them onto products and wait for them to dry. By the 1960s, they were commonplace and being used at mass levels. Things only got hotter in the 1980s with the invention of laser printing. Labelling was now the order of the day, and since the 1980s, technologies have been expanding in the label world. Here at Teraoka, we keep our finger on the pulse with these advancements and ensure that all clients get the very best that the world of labelling has to offer.
So, Why Choose Our Retail Label Printers?
Retail labelling is one of the most effective ways in which you can communicate with your clients. When you choose superior systems, like our impressive range at Teraoka, you ensure easy integration between labelling systems and PC devices. This means that you can quickly and effectively change labels as needed so as to reflect discounts, flash sales, or price increases. Many retailers are also beginning to explore smart labelling technology when it comes to their in-house labelling systems. These effectively integrate with PC systems and can quickly change when needed. They are straightforward and easy to read and thus easy to navigate for both members of staff and the customer. Anyone within the retail sector knows the importance of labelling. When it comes to pricing and labelling, mix–ups can diminish customer trust over time and create confusion in any industry. When you opt for smart technologies, human error is eroded, and surety becomes the order of the day.
We have been in the automation and weighing industry since 1984 and thus have close to thirty years of experience to our name. In this time, we have developed our product range to meet the needs of today’s clients and continuously expand our repertoire to meet expanding applications. Whether you are looking for retail labels, in-store weighing systems, markdown solutions, PC scales, digital weight indicators, or more, we have something for you. With 11 stores across the country and a further 16 departments across Southern and Eastern Africa, we are the number-1 distributor on the continent. Contact us here with your queries, and we will gladly get back to you with advice and any required information.
We look forward to working with you and supporting you as you enter the world of our superior labelling systems.