Reliable GHS hazard label printing for chemical production and export

Chemical and petrochemical manufacturers in the UK must apply clear, durable GHS hazard labels to drums, IBCs, containers and cartons. When red diamond symbols are incorrect, poorly printed or non-durable, the consequences can include rejected shipments, relabelling delays and compliance concerns.

Weyfringe supplies GHS red diamond and BS5609 label solutions in the UK, helping chemical manufacturers produce durable, legible hazard labels suitable for storage, handling and marine export.

Our systems support consistent printing of red and black hazard information while maintaining durability in demanding environments.

Let's Make it Stick

GHS Red Diamond Printing UK

Under the Globally Harmonised System (GHS), chemical products must display:

Red diamond hazard pictograms
Signal words
Hazard and precautionary statements
Product and batch identification

Clear, accurate reproduction of the red diamond symbol is essential. Faded colour, misalignment or inconsistent print quality can lead to relabelling and transport issues.

Weyfringe supply pre-printed GHS hazard labels featuring red diamonds, along with thermal transfer printers, labelling software and black thermal ribbons for overprinting.

This enables manufacturers to:

Use professionally printed red diamond symbols for consistent colour and presentation
Overprint variable black text in-house, including hazard statements, signal words, batch numbers and product information
Print changing hazard classifications without holding multiple fully pre-printed label variations
Maintain clear, legible black text aligned with fixed red diamonds.

By separating the red pictogram from the variable black content, manufacturers retain flexibility while maintaining consistent hazard symbol quality.

This approach is particularly suitable for businesses managing multiple formulations or frequently updating hazard classifications.

Let's Make It Stick

Printing Red and Black Together – CAB XC Dual Ribbon Printers

CAB XC two colour label printer for GHS and Hazard Labels

For manufacturers who prefer to print the entire GHS hazard label in-house, including both the red diamond and black text, we supply CAB XC dual ribbon thermal transfer printers.

Unlike the pre-printed red diamond approach, these printers use two ribbons to print red and black simultaneously onto plain label material in a single pass.

This enables:

Full in-house GHS red diamond printing
Printing red diamonds and black text together in one process
On-demand production of different hazard classifications
Reduced need to stock multiple variations of pre-printed labels
Greater flexibility for changing formulations or export requirements

Using plain labels with dual-ribbon printing can simplify stock management for manufacturers with a wide product range or frequently changing hazard symbols.

This approach is particularly useful for:

Manufacturers with large and varied product portfolios
Businesses exporting to multiple markets with differing classifications
Operations seeking full control over hazard label production

Both methods, pre-printed red diamonds with black overprint, or full red and black in-house printing, can be specified depending on production volume, flexibility requirements and stock control preferences

Let's Make It Stick

BS5609 Labels – Marine Durable Hazard Labelling

For chemical products transported by sea, label durability is critical.

BS5609 labels are specified for marine immersion durability and are commonly required for chemical drum and IBC export.

Where applicable, label materials can be specified to meet:

BS5609 Section 2 (adhesion performance)
BS5609 Section 3 (print durability and abrasion resistance)

Weyfringe supply label materials and ribbon combinations suitable for BS5609-compliant chemical drum labels, helping ensure hazard information remains legible during prolonged exposure to moisture and marine conditions.

Material selection is based on:

Container substrate (steel drum, plastic IBC, coated carton)
Storage and handling conditions
Export and transport requirements

Solving Common Hazard Labelling Problems in Chemical Manufacturing

Chemical production teams often experience:

Inconsistent red diamond colour density
Smudging or ribbon bleed affecting red hazard diamonds
Label adhesion failure on drums or IBCs
Relabelling due to outdated pre-printed stock
Export delays caused by non-durable labels

By specifying appropriate printers, ribbons and label materials, manufacturers can improve control over hazard label quality and reduce avoidable disruption

Hazard Labels for Drums, IBCs and Containers

We support GHS hazard labelling applications for:

Steel drums
Plastic drums
IBC containers
Smaller chemical containers
Cartons and outer cases
Pallet labels

Systems can include standalone printing or integrated print & apply applicators for higher throughput lines.

Correct positioning and consistent application help maintain professional presentation and scanning reliability throughout the supply chain.

Barcode and Identification for Chemical Supply Chains

In addition to hazard symbols, chemical manufacturers often require:

Batch and lot number barcodes
Case and pallet identification
Export documentation labelling

We supply barcode printers and verification systems capable of analysing linear (1D) and 2D barcodes, helping ensure scannable identification for warehouse and logistics workflows.

Label Materials Matched to Chemical Environments

Chemical and petrochemical production environments may involve:

Exposure to solvents and oils
Outdoor storage
Temperature variation
Mechanical abrasion

We supply plain and pre-printed hazard labels, along with thermal transfer ribbons selected to match substrate and environmental exposure.

This ensures both red pictograms and black text maintain clarity throughout handling and transport.

Supporting Production, Engineering and Compliance Teams

Maintain consistent GHS red diamond print quality
Reduce relabelling caused by poor durability
Print variable hazard classifications on demand

Why Chemical Manufacturers Choose Weyfringe for GHS and BS5609 Labels

Over 60 years of experience

Over 60 years supplying barcode and labelling systems in the UK

Chemical Production Insight

Experience supporting GHS red diamond printing in the UK and the supply of CAB XC dual-ribbon printers for red and black hazard label production

Complete System Support

Solution-led specification, installation and technical support