Overlabelling for Corrections, Security and Sterilisation Indicators
Overlabelling is the process of applying a new label over an existing label or printed panel. Sessions UK does it in York for three reasons. We correct printed information on stock you already hold, add security such as scratch-off and tamper-evident labels, and add sterilisation indicators such as gamma dots and ethylene oxide indicators.
Corrections
Correct or update printed information on stock you already hold, without reprinting your labels.
Security
Scratch-off and tamper-evident labels protect codes and show when a pack has been opened. We can also overprint variable data and then apply a label over it.
Sterilisation indicators
For medical equipment and other products that go for sterilisation, we can apply gamma indicator dots and ethylene oxide indicators.
Match your job to the right overlabel
| Your job | What we apply | Route | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the print on your label stock has changed | A cover-up label over the changed panel | Bureau, or in-house on your own machine | Bureau over-labelling |
| Products going for gamma sterilisation | A gamma indicator dot on a plain label of any size | Bureau | Gamma radiation labels |
| Products going for ethylene oxide sterilisation | An ethylene oxide indicator label | Applied by us | Ethylene oxide indicators |
| Batch and product numbers, dates and times to add | Overprinted variable data | Bureau over-printing | Bureau over-printing |
| Codes to hide | Variable data overprinted, then a scratch-off label over it | Applied by us | Security labels |
| Proof that a pack has been opened | A tamper-evident label | Applied by us | Tamper-evident labels |
| An advertising or marketing message to add | A label on a label carrying the message | Bureau | |
| Repeat overlabelling on your own line | A labelling machine | In-house | Label applicators |
Bureau or in-house overlabelling
With our bureau service, you send us the stock and we apply the labels. If you need it, we despatch the finished products with your own paperwork. For repeat overlabelling on your own line, we supply labelling machines, including desktop flat-product labellers from £2,400. Full instructional training is given when a machine is delivered and commissioned.
To weigh up the two routes, compare in-house and contract labelling.
On large labels, a gamma dot can cost less than a printed stripe
Our most popular bureau service is a gamma indicator dot applied to a plain label of any size. The white area takes your own overprinted batch number, product number, date and time. On a large label, this can cost less than a plain white label with a printed gamma stripe down the side.
Request a quote Watch our overlabelling video
This short video from Sessions UK shows our overlabelling facility. Send us a photo of your product through the quote form below and we will come back to you with a quote.
I'm interested in overlabellingOverlabelling questions answered
For other questions, see our frequently asked questions or read our guide.
What is the difference between relabelling and overlabelling?
Relabelling removes the old label and applies a new one in its place. Overlabelling leaves the original label where it is and applies a new label on top, over the whole label or only over the panel that has changed. Because nothing is peeled off, overlabelling suits stock that is already printed, filled or packed.Can you print batch numbers and dates on the overlabel?
Yes. We can apply a gamma indicator dot to a plain label of any size. The white area leaves room to overprint your own variable text, such as a batch number, product number, date and time. We can also overprint variable data and then apply a scratch-off or security label over it.Can you send overlabelled stock straight to our customer?
Yes. Through our bureau service, we can despatch your labelled products to an address of your choice with your own paperwork. That way the stock does not have to come back through your warehouse first. When you ask for a quote, tell us the delivery address and the paperwork you need us to include.Can a label on a label carry a marketing message?
Yes. A label on a label can carry an advertising or marketing message without changing the label underneath. Tell us the quantity, the product and where the new label should sit. Then send us a photo of the product and its current label through the quote form on this page, and we will come back with a quote.What do you need from me to quote an overlabelling job?
Send us a photo or drawing of the product and the label you need to cover, with the quantity and what has to change. The quote form on this page accepts JPG, PNG or GIF images up to 10MB. You can also call us on 01904 610613 to talk the job through with our team in York.