When it comes to industrial product labelling, many businesses base their decision on the simplest figure available: the price per running metre. This is precisely what regularly leads them astray. Anyone looking to select a laser-markable film should first ask what the label actually needs to achieve in the workplace. The real costs do not arise from the roll itself, but from the process, the service life in the field and every label that fails prematurely.
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Key points at a glance
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The most costly mistake: cutting corners in the wrong place or overspecifying
In practice, two opposing mistakes occur. One company buys a cheap standard film and is surprised when the labelling becomes illegible after contact with cleaning chemicals, heat or the elements. Another orders a premium film with non-destructive peel protection and automotive approvals, even though its application never requires it. Both pay too much, just in different ways.
The Advanced som80 series is designed for the broad spectrum in between. It is the cost-effective, all-round solution for applications that require high durability but do not need safety-critical, destructible removal from the substrate.
Choosing a laser-markable film: the four key criteria
Four criteria will help you reach the right decision more quickly than any price comparison. Check them in this order before looking at the figures in the quotation.
Durability
Determine the stresses the label must withstand. The som80 withstands temperatures ranging from minus 40 to 130 degrees Celsius over the long term and resists chemicals, solvents, abrasion and ageing. For most mechanical engineering and industrial environments, this fully meets the requirements.
Adhesion to your substrate
The acrylic adhesive achieves high final adhesion even on substrates with low surface energy, whether on smooth or slightly textured surfaces. For very rough cast surfaces, however, it is better to use the som85 Customised Series, which is designed to withstand a steam jet test up to 180 bar.
Marking speed
This is where the often-overlooked cost-saving potential lies. The films can be marked at speeds of up to 6,000 millimetres per second – up to 50 per cent faster than the fastest alternatives currently available. Shorter cycle times significantly reduce process costs per label, particularly in series production.
Suitability for automation
The film’s high inherent stability ensures a stable process flow in automated lines. A detail with a big impact. As the adhesive does not bleed, the som80 does not require an adhesive-free edge area, which allows for longer cleaning intervals.
When the Advanced Series is not the right choice
Honesty is part of the advisory process. If your label must comply with all motor vehicle registration requirements or must be verifiably impossible to remove without damage, the Premium Series som81 is the way forward. When dealing with extreme substrates and individual labels in custom sizes, the Customised Series is more suitable. A quick look at the full product range helps to match the series to your actual requirements.
Optionally, the Advanced Series can also be fitted with anti-counterfeiting features, such as a UV imprint or a custom watermark. If you do not need these features, you can leave them out and save money.
Frequently asked questions about selecting laser-markable films
How can I tell which laser-markable film is suitable for my application?
Four criteria provide the answer. Check the resistance to the stresses involved, the adhesion to your specific substrate, the required marking speed and the suitability for automation. Only when security features such as non-destructive peel protection or specific approvals are required does the selection narrow down to specialised ranges.
Is the price per metre the right criterion when making a selection?
No. The price per metre obscures the key cost drivers, namely cycle time, service life in the field and downtime. A film that can be marked more quickly and is more durable may be more expensive per metre but can still reduce overall costs.
For which substrates is the som80 Advanced range suitable?
The som80 adheres to high- and low-energy surfaces as well as smooth and slightly textured surfaces. Its acrylic adhesive achieves high final adhesion even on surfaces with low surface energy. For very rough cast surfaces with extreme requirements, however, the Customised series som85 is recommended.
How quickly can a laser-markable film from Sommer be marked?
The films can be laser-marked at speeds of up to 6,000 millimetres per second, which is up to 50 per cent faster than the currently fastest alternative products. Shorter cycle times reduce process costs per label and increase throughput in mass production.
When is the Advanced series not sufficient and do I need a different film?
As soon as your label must demonstrably be removable without damage or must comply with automotive approvals, the Premium Series som81 is the right choice. The Customised Series som85 is suitable for extreme substrates and individual labels in custom sizes. The Advanced Series som80 covers the wide range in between as a cost-effective all-round solution.
Conclusion
Choosing a laser-markable film is not a question of price, but a question of requirements. Those who weigh up durability, adhesion, marking speed and suitability for automation against the actual application will make the most cost-effective decision without paying for features they won’t use. For a wide range of applications with high durability requirements, the Advanced Series som80 often strikes exactly the right balance.
Are you unsure which series is right for your application? Please describe your specific application using the enquiry form at the bottom of this page. We will assess your requirements and, if necessary, provide you with an initial sample.
