How to Determine Roll Direction

What is roll direction and why is it important?

Roll Direction, also called Unwind direction, refers to the way your labels are oriented as you unwind your roll of labels.  

When applying your labels by machine, the position of your label is extremely important. The labels will need to come off the roll and feed into your machine in a specific position each time. Otherwise, your label will go on upside down or reversed onto your product.  

Choosing Your Roll (Unwind) Direction

To make things simple, the label industry has established a standard when referring to roll direction. There are 8 roll directions to choose from. We recommend reaching out to your manufacturer, or checking your label applicator manual to determine which roll direction you need.

Roll directions 1-4 are the most common, and feature labels that are wound on the outside of the roll. Directions 5-8 are wound inside the roll.  Here at Sttark, we only offer roll directions 1-4.

Each option below has the label feeding into the label applicator in a specific direction

Roll Directions:

1: top first

2: bottom first

3: right side first

4: left side first

For roll direction, it is important that you select the correct die when placing your order. For instance, if your artwork is landscape sized at 4" x 2" and you need it finishing in roll direction 1 or 2, you will want to ensure that the die you select is 4" wide by 2" long. If the reciprocal die is selected (2" x 4"), it will not be compatible with your artwork.

Below is a great example of what die you need to select if you require roll direction 1 or 2 and your artwork is landscape.

The first two rolls are set up for roll direction 1 or 2, using a 4" wide by 2" long die. If you were to select a 2" x 4" die it would not be compatible, like the second set of rolls.

The first two rolls below are set up for roll direction 3 or 4, using a 2" wide by 4" long die. If you were to select a 4" x 2" die it would not be compatible, like the second set of rolls.

Our quoter will automatically flip the dimensions you enter to run it the most cost-effective way possible. For example, if you select a 4" x 2" size, the quoter will flip it to run 2" x 4". You will then need to go down and select your roll direction. If you need a 4" x 2" die, you can then go back up and type in 4" x 2" in the size and it will not flip.

Here is an example of what the quoter does when you enter the larger number first:

Any questions -reach out to us via email at support@sttark.com, or by phone from 9 AM EST - 6 PM EST at 877-277-4682.