Whitlam Group’s Quality Lab will continue acquiring state-of-the-art equipment to ensure conformance to requirements.
Our Quality Lab uses the following equipment to ensure quality by inspecting incoming material and performing tests on converted labels.
Abrasion
Tests the ability of the label to resist varying degrees of abrasion and remain legible.
- Tests the durability of the printed ink system on various labels.
- Tests the durability of various varnishes and laminates applied to different labels.
Additional Lab Testing
- Salt Spray
- Weatherometer
- Xenon
- Tensile Strength
- QUV Exposure
- Fadeometer
- Fogging
- Tear Strength
Barcode Scanner
Tests the quality and readability of printed barcodes.
- To verify that printed barcodes are scanning properly.
- Assigns an ANSI grade based on the level of readability.
- For most labels distributed to customers, barcodes receiving a grade of “C” or lower are rejected.
Color Matching
We use a color book to make sure that we match your exact colors, you specified. This book references spot colors.
- Pantone Matching
- Macbeth Light Booth
- System (Color Match)
Fluid Immersion
This tests the ability of the label to resist the effects of a wide variety of chemicals.
Heat Aging / Resistance Test
Tests the ability of the label to endure a period of time while subjected to high temperature.
- Used to perform heat aging tests at extreme temperatures.
Peel Strength
Used to perform peel adhesion testing which shows the amount of force required to remove a label from a wide variety of surfaces.
- Perform 180° peel tests, loop tack peel tests, tensile strength testing.
- Initial Tack.
Tape Test
Tests the ink adhesion to any given label material.
Thermal Cycle (Oven, Freezer, or Humidity)
This tests the ability of the label to stand up to various environmental conditions in a cyclical format.
- Used to perform heat aging tests at extreme temperatures.
- Maximum temperature reaching 1000° Celsius.
- Used for humidity and environmental testing.
Thermal Transfer Ribbon
Tests the adhesion of the label to resist the effects of a wide variety of chemicals.