Getting started with ElastiTag automation

Kelsey Vetsch, Account Executive

Left: A side view of an automated Northfield ElastiTag Applicator bottle labeling machine with a roll of labels and several bottles on a conveyor belt. Right: A close-up of a robotic arm applying an ElastiTag to a bottle, with several labeled bottles visible in the background.

The reasons for investing in ElastiTag® automation are many: reduced labor, increased output, and convenience.

Common industries using ElastiTag automation today include:

  • Beverage – bottles
  • Health & Beauty – nail polish
  • Home & Housewares – home fragrance (scent bulbs)
  • Pharma/Nutra – vitamin bottles

Before deciding whether ElastiTag automation is right for you, here’s a few considerations.

The Northfield ElastiTag Applicator significantly reduces time and labor compared to hand application. Applications speeds vary depending on the product the ETag is applied to and the production line it’s integrating into.

Close-up photo of a Scent Fill plug-in refill bottle. The label reads "Relax Blend" and "Scent Fill" and shows images of lavender and lemon.
“Thanks to the Northfield ElastiTag Applicator, our production capacity has increased by 8 to 10x.”
– Mark Callison, Founder of Scent Fill

Watch a video of ElastiTags being applied to Scent Fill bulbs in their production line.

There are specific dieline shapes that are machine-compatible, so your product must also fall within the circumference range of the specified dielines.

To see all machine-compatible dielines, choose “machine applied” from the drop down filter menu on the ElastiTag search page.

Below is an overview of the different Northfield ElastiTag applicators and how they can work with your systems.

  1. Standard Applicator:

  • Applies square/rectangle tags
  • 18 total shapes to choose from (with more being added)
  • Perforated side by side on a roll

  1. Shaped Applicator:

  • Applies round tags or other custom shapes
  • 4 shapes to choose from
  • On a release liner/individually placed on a spool
A bottle of Califia Farms Organic Almond Creamer in Vanilla flavor, with a white background. The bottle has a green and white label with the brand name and product details.
Close-up photo of a GT's Synergy Raw Kombucha bottle with a "Win a Year of Kombucha" ElastiTag hang tag. The bottle shows a colorful gradient design and details about the kombucha's ingredients and benefits.

3. Small bottle handling systems

This is the system scent bulbs, vials, or other small bottles would use.

Bottles fed into a star wheel and tags are applied.

Close-up photo of a Better Homes & Gardens fragrance oil refill bottle. The ElastiTag label is red with white text and features the brand logo and scent name. The bottle contains a yellow liquid.
“ElastiTag has given our product a competitive edge over the competition. It’s easy to use, it allows us to print eye-catching artwork, and it provides our customers with needed product details. We’re so happy that we went with ElastiTag. We couldn’t have asked for more.”
– Trent Douglas, Rimports LLC, Operations Manager

4. Semi-Automatic

Products can be hand fed into an applicator unit for tag placement. This option is ideal for pet treats or other odd-shaped/sized products.

Below is a video demonstrating standard, shaped, small bottle handling systems, and semi-automatic application.

Bedford + Northfield

Northfield offers in-field consultation and testing to determine application speed and integrate the system into your production line. We work with Northfield to get the appropriate ElastiTag and setup for this phase.

Once installed, future ElastiTag orders would be handled through Bedford, and machine questions or maintenance through Northfield.

Contact us to inquire about ElastiTag automation and a referral.

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