S+P Samson and GRAPHIPLAST® - a success story

GRAPHIPLAST® is a S+P Samson trade name. The name is made up of “Graphi” and “plast” - a synonym for a plastic that can be written on. The wide range of GRAPHIPLAST® films are used for plastic labels and data carriers. The final products are barcode labels, computer labels, continuous labels, adhesive labels, heat-resistant labels, UV-resistant labels and acid resistant labels. GRAPHIPLAST® labels are used as both self-adhesive labels and tags for general identification, parts labelling, container identification and, Odette identification. Barcode applications require an identification system. S+P Samson offer complete solutions, based on printing systems such as laser printers or special label printing systems such as thermal transfer printers.

GRAPHIPLAST® , as a S+P Samson trade name, states that products such as computer labels, continuous labels, UV-resistant labels, barcode labels, data carriers and tags made from GRAPHIPLAST® are exclusive products which are solely distributed by S+P Samson and our worldwide partners. Detailed information on our products which are used for general identification, parts labelling, container identification and, Odette identification can be found on the relevant sections on our website.

The history of S+P Samson and GRAPHIPLAST® began with PVC coating for computer printing. With the introduction of dot matrix printers for labelling a requirement for weather resistant computer labels was identified. The first products made from GRAPHIPLAST® were tabulation labels and roll labels for quick-drying and scuff-proof printing with dot-matrix printers – for use as tags in the construction industry. Today, the main area of identification applications is the metal industry with the identification of billets and slabs, coils and batches, tubes and sections as well as various other identification solutions. Special requirements for steel identification with high-quality data carriers have driven the development of labels for difficult environmental conditions. The advance of the barcode for data capture in stock control, material tracking and despatch control quickly extended to other areas of identification, ranging from container identification, product labelling to Odette identification for the automotive industry. Today, the barcode is the leading technology for labelling and identification. The supporting technology for identification comes at S+P Samson in the form of a data carrier with transponder for industrial labelling applications. RFID labels as continuous labels – both as adhesive labels and tags made from GRAPHIPLAST® - with a suitable label printing system, offer comparable functionality for use as heat-resistant labels, acid-resistant labels and UV-resistant labels.

GRAPHIPLAST® , as S+P Samson’s registered trademark is being specifically marketed in industries and applications where requirements are high. Requirements for plastic and data carriers made from GRAPHIPLAST® include the following applications for self-adhesive labels and tags: acid-resistant, chemical-resistant and oil-resistant labels for cleaning processes in the metal industry, as well for general industrial container labelling. UV-resistant labels for, e.g. identification of hazardous goods with outdoor storage of products or containers. The weather resistant continuous labels withstand UV light and rain for a minimum of 12 months.

Special know-how has been acquired by S+P Samson in the field of heat-resistant labels. The GRAPHIPLAST® product range spans from PET labels (max. 230 °C) to special high temperature labels (580°C). S + P offer all these properties for secure product and container labelling with barcodes with the corresponding, conventional printing system for computer labels. Label printers such as thermal transfer printers and laser printers provide reliable operational data capture and identification due to the resistance of the print. Self-adhesive labels and/or adhesive labels for difficult surfaces are another major area for S+P Samson. Odette applications (as per German VDA label standard Odette) in the automotive industry are difficult to realise with soiled KLT containers. Removable self-adhesive labels show insufficient adhesion and, on self-adhesive labels with permanent bond for Odette applications adhesion is too strong. S + P use an exclusive range of adhesives that offer trouble-free adhesion for Odette identification on containers such as KLT, hazardous goods containers, Schäfer-type crates, yet can be removed without residue. In this way, barcode identification is also possible under extreme conditions. Also, for this type of application, costly plastic wallets are frequently used. This is where GRAPHIPLAST® tags offer considerable savings. Virtually unlimited resistance as weather-resistant labels, acid-resistant labels and heat-resistant labels makes identification more secure and saves money.

The reliability of labelling and identification does not only depend on the data carrier as an adhesive label or tag, but also on the compatible printing system for each type of computer label. GRAPHIPLAST® labels have been tested on all major thermal transfer printers such as Zebra, Sato and TEC. As a Lexmark partner we are working directly with one of the leading manufacturers of laser printers. The printing systems are suitable for rough environments and are protected from extreme environmental conditions by enclosures. All printing systems are suitable for barcode identification. For thermal transfer printers, S+P Samson offer ribbons for any requirement. Carbon ribbons in resin quality as well resin-wax-mixtures complement the properties of the acid-resistant, heat-resistant and weather-resistant labels. Our cooperation with leading providers of automatic labelling solutions ensures that adhesive labels from S+P Samson are suitable for automatic dispensing solutions.