Count labels per roll using pitch, not label length alone

The purchasing question

Labels on a web are separated by a gap. The machine advances the full pitch from one label position to the next, so using only printed label length overstates the available count. Leader, trailer and damaged web can also reduce usable length.

Calculation method

Pitch = label length in the feed direction + inter-label gap. Complete labels = floor(usable roll length ÷ pitch) multiplied by labels across the web where the confirmed layout has multiple lanes. Keep metres and millimetres consistent before division.

Worked example

A 1,000 m usable roll carries labels 100 mm long with a 3 mm gap. Pitch is 103 mm or 0.103 m. One lane provides floor(1,000/0.103) = 9,708 complete labels. Ignoring the gap predicts 10,000, an overstatement of 292 labels. Two approved lanes provide 19,416 nominal labels.

This is a nominal count from dimensions. For dispatch or invoice checking, use the supplied count and investigate discrepancies. Do not subtract leader length twice if the stated usable roll length already excludes it.

Checks before using the result

• Measure label length along the feed direction.
• Include the actual gap in pitch.
• Count complete labels and confirmed lanes only.

Common questions