Bandall: SmartBand™ vs adhesive labelling

Adhesive labels have long been the standard for adding information to packaging. They are familiar, widely used, and offer a simple way to apply barcodes and essential product information quickly.

At the same time, packaging requirements are evolving. Production environments are under pressure to become more flexible, reduce material use, improve efficiency, and move towards more sustainable outcomes.

These shifts are not about a single major change but about rethinking every step in the process.

With SmartBand™ technology, variable product data is printed directly onto the band during the banding process. This combines labeling and banding into one seamless flow. The result is a smarter way of working that reduces unnecessary materials and prepares your packaging process for the future.

From separate labeling to integrated data application

In many packaging processes, product information is added as a separate step. Products are first packaged, and only afterward labeled with details such as price, barcode, or weight.

SmartBand™ approaches this differently.

Instead of applying labels afterward, product data is printed directly during the banding process itself. Each item is processed individually, with its specific data generated and applied in real time—no additional labeling step required.

The result is a fully integrated process where bundling, branding, and product-specific information come together in one seamless flow. This simplifies operations, improves efficiency, and creates a more intelligent, future-ready packaging line.

What this looks like in practice

Depending on the application, SmartBand™ can be used to:

• Weigh products and apply price and barcode in one step
• Print product-specific data from ERP systems directly onto the band
• Replace labels on sleeves, trays, or bags with Bandall’s new printing technology
• Combine branding and data without additional materials

In these situations, the way packaging lines are structured begins to shift, particularly where speed, flexibility, and accuracy play a role.

Where banding creates value

No liner waste
Adhesive labels come with liner material that must be collected and disposed of during production. With banding, this step does not exist. There is no liner, no separate waste stream, and no need to manage it within the process.
Removing this element simplifies daily operations and contributes to a cleaner, more efficient production environment.

One solution for bundling, branding, and data
In many packaging setups, labeling is an additional step layered on top of the primary packaging process.

Banding approaches this differently. Bundling, branding, and data application are combined into a single action. Instead of managing multiple materials and systems, everything comes together in one process.
This creates a more streamlined setup that is easier to manage and adapt.

Real-time, product-specific data
With traditional labeling, data is applied after products have already been packaged through a separate system.

SmartBand™ brings this into the banding process itself. Weight-based pricing, variable data, and information from ERP or production systems can be printed directly onto the band as each product passes through.
Each item is handled individually, with the correct data applied at the right moment. This improves accuracy while supporting a more responsive and connected production flow.

Greater flexibility across products and packaging types
Adhesive labels depend on the surface they are applied to. Uneven, soft, or flexible packaging can lead to inconsistent adhesion, wrinkles, or visible defects.

Banding does not rely on adhesion. The band is applied around the product or bundle, making the process far less sensitive to surface conditions.
This allows different product shapes and packaging materials to be handled more reliably within one system, increasing flexibility without adding complexity.

Improved recyclability through adhesive-free application
Adhesive labels rely on glue, which can make packaging more difficult to recycle. Labels often remain attached, leave residue, or interfere with material separation.

Banding works without adhesive. The band can be removed cleanly, allowing packaging components to be separated more easily.
This supports packaging solutions that are kinder to material streams and better aligned with recycling processes.

More space for branding and data
Adhesive labels are limited by size and placement, which restricts how much information or branding can be applied.

Banding offers a larger printable surface that wraps around the product. With SmartBand™ technology, this space can be used to combine branding, product-specific data, weight-based pricing, or variable information on a single band.
This creates a clearer and more integrated way to present information, without adding extra materials or steps.

Discover where SmartBand™ fits your process

Every packaging line is different. The value of SmartBand™ becomes clearer when applied to real production environments.

Explore how SmartBand™ works and where it can be applied in your packaging process.

This article was originally published by Bandall.