Labelling Gun Labels: How To Find the Right Size for Your Gun
Ordering labelling gun labels sounds simple until you discover your gun takes a size nobody lists on their website, or the labels you ordered jam on the second roll. Getting it right the first time comes down to knowing three measurements and one detail about adhesive.
The short answer: you need the label width, the label height, and the core size of the roll. The most common formats are 26x12mm, 26x26mm and 22x12mm, but there are more variants than most people expect, and a millimetre in the wrong direction causes tracking problems and jams.
Positive ID Labels have supplied pricing gun labels to UK retailers for over twenty years. Here is how to identify what you need, even if the gun is old and unlabelled.
Identifying Your Labelling Gun Labels
Work through these in order and you will land on the right specification.
Or, to determine the label size, simply download this label gun label sizing sheet and print at 100% on your printer. Then take an existing label and match it to the sheet item.
Alternatively, if you can send us a used label or a photograph of the labelling gun with the model number visible, we can normally identify the format in a couple of minutes.
Common Labelling Gun Labels
| 1910 – 19mm x 19mm | 1 Line |
| 2212PH – 22mm x 12mm Punch Hole | 1 Line |
| 2612 – 26mm x 12mm Wavey Edge | 1 Line |
| 2212WE – 22mm x 2mm Wavey Edge | 1 Line |
| 2616 – 26mm x 12mm | 2 Line |
| 2616WE – 26mm x 16mm Wavey Edge | 2 Line |
| 2316 – 23mm x 16mm | 2 Line |
| 3021 – 30mm x 21mm | 2 Line |
| 2928 – 29mm x 28mm | 3 Line |
Why the Wrong Size of Labelling Gun Labels Causes Problems
A label that is nearly right is worse than one that is obviously wrong, because the problem surfaces gradually.
Slightly too narrow and the label tracks off centre, drifting further with each application until it jams or applies crooked.
Slightly too tall and the gun struggles to feed cleanly, which wears the mechanism unevenly.
Wrong core and the roll sits badly in the housing, causing inconsistent feed that looks like a mechanical fault.
None of these announces themselves immediately. The first roll often runs acceptably and the problems appear on the second, which is why people frequently blame the gun rather than the labels.
Permanent or Removable Labelling Gun Labels?
This decision matters more than the size, because getting it wrong shows up on your product rather than in your gun.
The test is simple. Ask where the label physically sits, and whether anyone will want to remove it later. If the answer is the product itself, choose removable.
Note that removable adhesives need dry, clean surfaces to perform reliably. On damp or dusty stock they will lift on their own, which is not the behaviour you wanted.
Colours and Printing on Labelling Gun Labels
Plain white is the default, but colour does useful work.
Fluorescent labels draw the eye and are the standard choice for reductions, offers and clearance. A fluorescent orange label communicates “reduced” before anyone reads the price.
Colour coding by day, department or delivery lets staff identify stock rotation at a glance. Some operations use a colour per day of the week, which makes out-of-date stock visible without reading anything.
Pre-printed text puts your business name, a standard message or a logo onto the label alongside the priced information. Useful for reinforcing the brand on a low-cost item, and for making it obvious the label came from you.
Ink Rollers Are Consumables Too
The ink roller is not part of the gun, it is a consumable, and it wears out well before the gun does.
When print starts fading at the edges of characters, that is the signal. Replacing a roller takes seconds. Trying to nurse a dry one produces faint labels and, eventually, complaints from customers who cannot read a price.
Keep a spare in the drawer. A dry roller always announces itself mid-batch on a busy afternoon. Order them alongside your labels on 01332 864895 and you will not get caught out.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common labelling gun label sizes? 26x12mm and 22x12mm cover a large proportion of guns in use. There are numerous other formats, particularly on two and three line models and older guns, so measure rather than assume.
Will labels from a different brand fit my gun? Often yes, provided the dimensions and core match. Date labelling guns and labelling guns are generally built around a format rather than a brand. What matters is the measurements, not the name on the box.
Are your labelling gun labels removable? Both permanent and removable are available. Removable peels away without residue on dry, clean surfaces. Tell us where the label is going and we will recommend which suits.
How many labels come on a roll? It varies by size and gun type, since a roll holds what physically fits at that format. We can tell you the count for your specific size when you order.
Can I get labels with our shop name printed on them? Yes. Pre-printing your business name, a logo or a standard message alongside the priced information is straightforward and cheaper than most people expect at reasonable quantities.
Do you supply ink rollers as well? Yes, and it is worth ordering them alongside labels so you are not caught out. Tell us the gun model and we will match the correct roller.
Not Sure What You Need?
Send us a used label or a photograph of your gun showing the model number, and we will identify the format for you. This is a two minute job at our end and saves you ordering the wrong thing.
If you are running several guns across different sites, we can put together a standard specification so anyone ordering knows exactly what to ask for.
Call 01332 864895 or send your requirements through the enquiry form. We keep common formats in stock and most orders leave us within five working days.
