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Custom labels for precision processes

Your company isn’t a cookie-cutter company. So it’s no wonder that cookie-cutter labels fail you. CleanMark’s custom labels are expert-engineered to meet the unique specifications of your precision processes.

Upgrade to custom labels

  1. Give us some initial information
  2. Talk to a label expert
  3. Review and test your custom label
  4. Production and shipping

What do we mean when we say custom labels?

We mean that whether you already know your exact label parameters or are looking to work with an expert to explore all possible solutions, we’ll engineer a label that works flawlessly in your processes.

  • Stress free optimization
  • Industry-specific design expertise
  • Ongoing support

Our custom label process delivers a custom solution — fast

Our customization process is efficient and effective. Our goal is to take as little of your time as possible and deliver an optimized label solution tailored to your unique needs — and we do it faster than our competitors can produce off-the-shelf labels.

Tell us about your labeling needs

Fill out our initial request form so we know a little more about what you need, from environmental challenges to process requirements.

Meet a CleanMark label expert

You’ll be matched with a label expert with experience in your industry who will work with you to understand your exact requirements and propose labeling solutions.

Review your custom label design

We’ll send over your custom label design for you to review to make sure it meets all of your specifications.

Test custom label samples or prototype

Our sampling process lets you double check that your custom label will work as desired in your real-world scenario. And for more complex labels, we can provide a prototype to ensure optimal functionality.

We produce and ship your new custom label

Our innovative production processes let us deliver custom labels faster than many of our customers deliver off-the-shelf options.

We’re not just producing cutting-edge labels, we’re inventing them

CleanMark works with customers who are pushing the boundaries of technology, which means we’re constantly imagining new solutions to meet their needs.

CleanMark’s design philosophy is built on 40 years of custom label experience.

We have the ability to call on a broad range of in-house production options using cutting-edge labeling materials and processes. From printing technology to applicator optimization, our holistic approach to label customization means you get a solution that hits the mark every time.

We use a three-factor approach to customization.

  • Application
    Optimized for hand or machine application
  • Adhesion
    Selected based on environment, surface, and permanence 
  • Print
    Chosen based on durability, resolution, color, and on-site printing requirements

Looking for more detailed information?

Explore case studies, articles, guides and more in our extensive library of labeling resources. 

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Which label is right for your label applicator machine?

Have more questions? We have answers!

Read on for answers to our customers’ most common questions.

What types of surfaces can your custom labels adhere to?
Are your custom labels suitable for harsh environmental conditions?
Can your custom labels be used with different types of printers?
Do your custom labels meet safety and regulatory standards?
How do your machine-applied custom labels improve production efficiency?
Are your custom labels easy to apply by hand?
How do custom labels save time and money in the long run?
Are you ISO Certified?

Gloss

Provides a shiny, gloss finish — not recommended for QR and bar codes

Matte

Matte finish — great for detailed images and text that require high print clarity

Laminated

Versatile technique to provide added protection to printing, change label stiffness, or modify label gloss

EtO

Contains EtO‑sensitive ink that visibly and permanently shifts color once proper ethylene oxide gas exposure conditions have been met

Gamma

An indicator chemical compound irreversibly changes color when exposed to a validated dose of gamma radiation, offering fast visual confirmation of sterilization

Autoclave

Heat‑sensitive ink permanently changes color once the required steam temperature and dwell time have been achieved in an autoclave cycle

QR code

Only select if CleanMark will print the QR code during production

Bar code

Only select if CleanMark will print the bar code during production

Serial number

Only select if CleanMark will print the serial number during production

100% pre-printed

CleanMark prints the entire label, including any variable data like bar codes or serial numbers

Partially pre-printed

CleanMark prints static info but leaves space for handwritten or on-site printing of variable or time-dependent data

Blank

Label is completely blank upon delivery

Direct thermal

Uses heat-sensitive film and a heated print head to create images without ink or ribbons

Thermal transfer

Transfers ink from a ribbon onto the label using heat for long-lasting, durable prints

Ink jet

Sprays tiny droplets of ink directly onto the label surface for full-color, high-resolution prints

Laser

Uses a laser beam and toner to produce crisp, smudge-resistant labels with sharp detail

Handwritten

Labels are manually marked using a pen or marker, offering maximum flexibility but limited consistency

Yes

Not appropriate for machine application

Paper

Affordable, efficient option that accepts ink well. Great for cardboard label application. Not appropriate for cleanrooms.

Polyamide (nylon)

Good option for garments and screen printing

Polyimide

Cleanroom compatible option perfect for electronics and other high heat applications

Polyester

Versatile facestock perfect for high-heat and chemical exposure contexts.

Polycarbonate

Stiffer facestock that can be printed or extruded in a variety of colors. Great for nameplates.

BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene)

Versatile, affordable option with high flexibility and direct thermal options.

Polyethelene

Absorbs color ink well and has high flexibility for adhering to tightly curved surfaces like vials and syringes

Permanent

Remains firmly adhered throughout the intended lifecycle, then can be removed after use residue free

Removable

Designed for easy, residue-free removal after a short to medium lifecycle

Repositionable

Designed to be repositioned during lifecycle — perfect for tracking labels that must move from a component or product to a documentation sheet

Synthetic (clear)

Best for gap sensing printers

Synthetic (colors)

Best for printers that require opaque liners or where clear liner would be a safety issue, such as warehouses, labs, and shipping facilities

Paper

Available in a variety of thicknesses — not suitable for cleanrooms

Paper

Not suitable for cleanrooms

Plastic

Color options available

Glass

Glass

Metal

Metal

Plastic

Plastic

Cardboard

Cardboard

Flat

Includes flat surfaces of all sizes

Curved

Includes vials, beakers, syringes, and any other non-flat surface

Chemical resistant

Remain adhered and legible through exposure to cleaning and other chemicals

Heat resistant

Resist yellowing and discoloration, remaining adhered and legible through heat-intensive processes (100C - 250C)

Freezer

Designed to remain legible and adhered at both freezer (-80C - 0C) and ambient temperatures

Cryogenic

Firm, cold-specific adhesive ensures reliable performance at ultra-low temps (-196C to -86C) and around tight curves, like vials and syringes.

Dry ice

Use flexible materials and adhesive that remain secure and legible when moved in and out of dry ice conditions (-86C to -70C)

Refrigerator

Designed to remain legible and adhered at both refrigerator (0C - 20C) and ambient temperatures with a high degree of moisture resistance

Autoclave durable

Ultra-durable labels that withstands the moisture, temperature (121C or higher), and pressure of the autclave process and can be designed for residue-free removal

Abrasion resistant

Withstand the rigors of shipping and other high-abrasion environments without smearing, degrading, or peeling

UV resistant

Reliable adhesion and legibility through prolonged outdoor exposure

Moisture resistant

Moisture-resistant adhesives and synthetic label materials ensure reliable adhesion and legibility in humid or wet conditions.

Cleanroom labels

CleanMark can produce clean labels up to ISO 5 cleanroom standards. We process labels in our own cleanroom and are ISO 9001:2015 certified. Cleanroom labels are double bagged.

Sterile labels

CleanMark's sterile labels are gamma irradiated after packing. Optional sterility validation testing is available.

Hand applied

Designed for fast, easy hand application

Machine applied

Labels can be customized for your specific label applicator machine

Roll

Labels are wound on a roll

Fanfold

Flat sheets of labels

Labels

3 in.

1.5 in.

1 in.

3/4 in.

Square / rectangle

Circle

Irregular

Width (in.)

Height (in.)

Diameter (in.)

1

2

3

4

5

6