Media: Ribbons & Labels

Standards, Compliances & Certifications

01-04

UL and CSA Label Certification

1. What is UL & CSA Certification?

  • UL = Underwriter's Laboratory
  • CSA = Canadian Standards Association

2. Testing Procedures and Parameters

  • Print Quality
  • Print Speed
  • Burn-(Amount of heat necessary to image)
  • Smudge Resistance � Scratch Resistance
  • Chemical Resistance - Immersion
  • Chemical Resistance - Rub

3. Who Does the Testing?

  • Label Material Manufactures and Converters
    • Fasson (Avery Dennison)
    • FLEXcon
    • 3M
    • Plastic Extruders
    • Van Leer
  • Plastic Suppliers
    • Dunsern
    • 3M
  • Ribbon Manufacturers
    • AdventThermal Transfer
    • Sony.

4. Test Parameters - Print Quality

  • Tests the thermal response of a film or topcoat. This test determines how much heat is needed to transfer the image from the ribbon to the top-coated or extruded material.
  • The image is then visually evaluated for print consistency, voids, darkness and density of print legibility.
  • Rating Scale:
    • Excellent
    • Good
    • Fair
    • Poor

5. Test Parameters - Print Speed

  • Rated per industry standard thermal transfer printer such as Zebra 140xiII or Sato M8400RV
  • Image compared from 2" per second to 10" per second
  • Rating Scale:
    • High- 6 or more inches per second
    • Medium- 3 to 4 inches per second
    • Slow- 2 inches per second

6. Test Parameters - Burn

  • The amount of heat necessary for ribbon to image properly on top-coated or extruded material.
  • Temperature Rating Scale
    • Zebra
      • High: 14 to 21
      • Medium: 8 to 13
      • Low: 0 to 7
    • Sato
      • High: 4 to 5
      • Medium: 3 to 4
      • Low: 1 to 3

7. Test Parameters -Smudge Resistance

  • The Crockmeter Smudge Resistance test (ASTM F 1319-90) evaluates the printed image for smudge, smear and abrasion resistance.
  • How does the test work?
    • A square of white linen is placed over the acrylic finger on the crockmeter arm, which rubs back and forth over the printed image 10 cycles (20 passes). The image is scanned prior to and following the test to determine the level of change in ANSI grade.
  • Rating Scale-
    • Excellent- No change in ANSI Grade
    • Good- Reduced ANSI Grade by 1 overall alpha point
    • Fair- Reduced ANSI Grade by 2 overall alpha point
    • Poor- Reduced ANSI Grade by 3 points or more
  • Materials that fail to receive a Good or Excellent ratings fail both CSA and UL Testing

8. Test Parameter - Scratch Resistance

  • This test evaluates the functionality of the thermal print to the film or top-coated material.
  • How does the test work?
    • The printed image is scratched with a fingernail five times in the same location, and then is examined for ink lift-off.
  • Rating Scale
    • Excellent - No scratch off
    • Good - Slight scratch off
    • Fair - Moderate scratch off
    • Poor - Significant scratch off

9. Chemical Resistance - Immersion Testing

  • This test evaluates the effect of solvent exposure on the printed surface.
  • How the test works?
    • The printed sample is applied to a stainless steel plate and immersed halfway in the test solvent. After each 10-minute cycle, the sample is removed from the solvent and rubbed with a paper clip. The sample is evaluated when wet and after it dries to determine any change in appearance.
  • Immersion Test Ratings
    • The sample is graded by the number of 10-minute cycles it can withstand in during the chemical immersion.
  • Rating Scale
    • 10 Minutes- One 10-minute cycle
    • 20 Minutes- Two 10-minute cycles
    • 30 Minutes- Three 10-minute cycles
    • 40 Minutes- Four 10-minute cycles
    • 50 Minutes- Five 10-minute cycles

10. Chemical Resistance - Rub Test

  • The Crockmeter Chemical Rub test (ASTM F 1319-90) exposes the printed image to test chemicals to evaluate smudge, smear and abrasion resistance.
  • How the test works?
    • A square of white linen is soaked in the chosen test chemical and placed over the acrylic finger on the crockmeter arm, which rubs back and forth until the chemical causes a change in the image.
  • Chemicals Used in Immersion and Rub Resistance Testing
    • Water
    • Formula 409 Industrial Cleaner
    • IPA
    • Gasoline
    • Brake Fluid
    • Acetone
    • Acetate
    • Alcohol 90% (Industrial Grade)

11. Overall Grade Schedule

  • UL and CSA Lab Technicians Record all data and report to both substrate and film manufacturers their findings.
  • The results are tallied and an overall PASS/FAIL grade is issued.
  • These results are then posted in manufacturing UL/CSA Guideline booklets semi-annually.