Sappi: Wet-glue labels with the best printing and finishing results

Case study

The challenges facing labels have increased in recent years, for example due to legal requirements and labelling obligations. Since they have to offer more and more space for a large amount of information, among other things, it is multi-layer wet-glue labels that Druckerei Jungdruck has specialised in producing. For years, the company has relied on such papers from Sappi – depending on the application, the wet-strength and alkali-resistant paper Parade Label WS or the non-wet-strength paper Parade Label Pro. Jungdruck not only uses the label papers as standard, but also regularly recommends them to its customers out of conviction. The reasons are obvious to the printing and finishing specialist: premium quality with optimal finishing options, flexibly selectable printing processes, cost-effectiveness for small, medium and large batch sizes as well as an excellent price-performance ratio. These are just some of the advantages that convinced the company.

Multi-layer labels for wet glue label applications

Jungdruck, based in Radevormwald, Germany, is a printing company that has been producing single-layer labels for the wet-glue sector since it was founded in 1968. Multi-layer labels have been part of the portfolio for around 12 years. These are mainly used for containers and packaging in the aerosol and chemical industries. In addition, Jungdruck also aims its offer at the pet food industry. For the various products that Jungdruck’s customers package, different markings are mandatory on the labels. In addition, this information is often required in several languages. In order to be able to accommodate all the information, Jungdruck produces labels for its customers that contain up to five layers and can be glued over the entire surface. Because such labels are not only about sufficient space for information, but also about high quality, Jungdruck now uses the wet-glue label papers Parade Label WS (wet-strength and alkali-resistant) and Parade Label Pro (non-wet-strength) from its long-standing partner Sappi as standard.

Parade papers: Best printing results and numerous finishing options

The excellent printing and finishing properties of the Parade label papers play a special role here. They help to ensure that information and markings on the wet-glue labels are permanently legible and also protected against harsh environmental influences and abrasion. In order to protect the labels from mechanical damage, UV varnishing is used, for example. Gernot Jung, Managing Director and Sales Manager of Jungdruck, explains: “For this finishing method, we need papers that can absorb ink and varnish very well. Not all substrates have the necessary prerequisites for good varnishing. That’s why we explicitly tested Sappi’s Parade Label WS and Parade Label Pro and were thrilled with the results. The papers also score points with their consistency and excellent surface, which gives the finished labels an attractive appearance.”

In addition to UV coating, the company also finishes Sappi’s wet-glue label papers with other processes such as hybrid coating, hot foil stamping and cold foil transfer or lamination. Gernot Jung adds: “Laminating, varnishing, embossing – the wet-glue label papers can be processed with all common finishing processes. In addition, we can produce the labels in different formats. Of course, what is implemented in each case depends entirely on the customer’s wishes.”

Wet-glue labels from Sappi: Flexible and economical

Jungdruck has had further positive experiences with the papers in terms of cost-effectiveness and flexibility. This is because they are not only compatible with all common finishing techniques, but also with most printing processes. Depending on the print run, that means the print shop can produce the wet-glue labels in offset or digital printing. Gernot Jung explains: “For medium and larger print runs, we tend to choose offset printing. For smaller runs, we prefer digital printing. But we decide that individually. In any case, printing wet-glue labels is very economical for us and also offers our customers good value for money.”

Secure supply with short delivery times

Although the wet-glue label paper Parade Label WS has only been on the market for a short time, Jungdruck was one of the first printing companies to work with it intensively.

Robert Gabriel-Jürgens, Head of Sales Label Papers at Sappi, comments: “We are very pleased with this close cooperation with Druckerei Jungdruck. As a manufacturer, we can only contribute a part to an excellent print result with our high-quality papers. Only together with the know-how of a specialist who understands his craft can outstanding results be achieved. We are very impressed by the specialisation in multi-layer labels, and are pleased with this innovative application of our flagship papers.”

In addition to the premium quality of the print results, security of supply is a decisive criterion for a good partner, both for the printers and for Jungdruck itself. Gernot Jung puts it this way: “The best label quality is of no use to our customers if they are not in production on time for a planned date and they cannot fill their products.” With Sappi, Jungdruck can rely on a financially strong partner who not only guarantees short delivery times, but also constant availability. To ensure this, Sappi has made extensive investments in recent years at its wet-glue label papers production site in Gratkorn, Austria. The mill’s state-of-the-art technical infrastructure, comprehensive risk management, central location and reliable logistics network ensure the on-time delivery of flagship papers to customers worldwide.

Sustainable production conditions and materials

“We also very much appreciate that we have found a very environmentally conscious partner in Sappi,” Gernot Jung continues, “Because sustainability is playing an increasingly important role these days.” All Sappi papers are produced with fibres from sustainably managed forests. Comprehensive modernisation measures in energy generation at the Gratkorn plant have reduced the mill’s CO2 footprint by 30% and increased its share of renewable energies to more than 60% through the use of biomass. Due to its numerous activities in the field of sustainability, Sappi has been awarded a platinum medal by the sustainability assessment platform EcoVadis, placing Sappi in the top 1% of rated companies in the industry.

Cooperation opens doors to new markets

Jungdruck and Sappi broke new ground last year – on the occasion of BrauBeviale 2024, they presented a jointly developed multi-layer label for beverage bottles. Using beer bottles, they demonstrated how the first layer of the label could simply be folded up. Meanwhile, on the second layer there was more information (in this case a charmingly designed recipe for a beer barbecue sauce). The new multi-layer label was aimed at beverage manufacturers, who were given a wide range of options in terms of product information and marketing. Gernot Jung sums up: “Our joint innovation has met with great enthusiasm in the market. With Sappi, we have not only found a reliable partner, but also an ally who thinks ‘out of the box’ with us. We are looking forward to developing many more exciting ideas together and implementing new projects.”