Herpa Print: Pharmaceutical Labels for Vials, Syringes and Extreme Cold Chains

The labeling of vaccine vials and syringes places high technical demands on labels. Small diameters ranging from 10 to 25 millimeters, highly curved surfaces, glass and plastics such as HDPE or LDPE, as well as deep-freeze conditions down to -196 °C, require precisely matched materials, adhesives, and manufacturing processes.

Herpa Print develops custom pharmaceutical labels for these applications, including cold-chain, security, and RFID solutions.

An ampoule offers very little surface area but must remain permanently and uniquely labeled. At the same time, despite the severe curvature, the label must neither peel off nor curl up at the edges. Therefore, the format, material, and adhesive must be precisely tailored to the container, surface, and application.

Small Diameters, High Demands

For diameters between 10 and 25 millimeters, the label is severely curved. Especially with glass and plastics such as HDPE (high-density polyethylene) and LDPE (low-density polyethylene), the right combination of materials determines whether the label will adhere permanently.

For more than 70 years, herpa print has been developing and producing custom specialty labels. Pharmaceutical labels are manufactured in separate production areas. A 100-percent camera-based inspection during production ensures high and consistent quality.

Cold chains down to -196 °C

Vaccines and other temperature-sensitive pharmaceutical products present additional challenges. Labels must adhere reliably and remain legible even at low temperatures.

Special cold-chain labels can be designed for applications ranging up to storage at -196 °C in liquid nitrogen. This makes the label a functional component of the cold chain, rather than merely a carrier of information.

Traceability and Product Protection

Today, pharmaceutical labels also support traceability, patient safety, and protection against counterfeiting and tampering.

The portfolio includes custom-printed labels, security labels, and solutions featuring barcodes, QR codes, and DataMatrix codes. For more advanced digital applications, smart labels with UHF RFID at 868 MHz, as well as HF RFID or NFC at 13.56 MHz, are also available.

This enables pharmaceutical products to be uniquely identified and linked to digital processes.

From Standard Labels to smartLabels

The product range extends from plain labels for thermal transfer or direct thermal printing to custom-printed labels, as well as security, functional, and RFID labels.

Vaccine vials and syringes, in particular, demonstrate that labeling is already an integral part of product and packaging development. A solution that takes into account geometry, surface, temperature, traceability, security, and—when necessary—digital identification is crucial.

herpa print supports pharmaceutical manufacturers in developing suitable labeling solutions—from material and adhesive selection to the implementation of customized security, cold chain, and smartLabel applications.

Talk to us about the right labeling solution for your application.