Choosing the Right Label: Pin-Fed Labels
When you think about labels, you probably picture a roll or maybe a sheet. And that works fine most of the time. But sometimes what you really need is something a bit different. So in this first part of our series, we’re breaking down pin-fed labels—what they are, where they shine, where they lag, and how they fit into our lineup of product label printing services at Impression Label.
What Are Pin-Fed Labels?
Pin-fed labels come on a continuous web—often fan-folded—with evenly spaced holes punched along both edges. Those holes let a pin-fed printer, like a dot-matrix or tractor-feed printer, pull the labels through evenly. That means steady alignment and fewer misfeeds. Simple setup, dependable operation.
Reliable Feed for High-Volume Jobs
And because the holes guide the labels precisely, you get fewer jams and fewer misaligned prints. That really matters when you’re printing hundreds or thousands of labels at once. The steady feed keeps everything moving smoothly, and without constant operator fuss.
Ideal for Continuous Printing
So your pin-fed roll or fan-fold stack handles itself nicely through the printer. You’re not reloading rolls, not fiddling with sheet stacks. That sort of continuous throughput saves time, especially when print speed and uptime matter.
More Waste at the Margins
On the flip side, those guide holes and fixed fan-fold structure limit design flexibility. You’re not working with full-bleed or unconventional shapes easily. So if your label design needs eccentric shapes or full margins, pin-fed isn’t your friend.
Because the holes are along the edges, you’re sacrificing some label area. That can add up in material usage and cost. In tight-budget or high-volume runs, that little bit of wasted margin matters. with your custom label needs.
At Impression Label we include pin-fed among our product label printing services. It’s part of the menu—including roll-to-roll labels and sheeted labels—so you can choose what suits your process, your printer, and your project. We’re here as your custom label maker to help figure out which works best.
If those continuous feeds sound like just what you need—steady, simple, and solid—let us know. We’ll walk you through pin-fed options, line that up with your equipment, and tie it back to our label products and product label printing services. Reach out today!