Abstract: In the method herein as the items, such as labels for a particular product, are being printed on a continuous web, there is simultaneously printed in association with each item a control element constituted of an ink different from the ink or inks employed in printing the item indicia and having an unapparent, but detectable physical characteristic peculiar to such different ink. Illustrative inks employed for this purpose are visible and invisible luminescent inks.

Abstract: The method herein of printing items such as labels comprises preparing a printing plate to provide it with a series of printing areas between end margins required for securing the plate to a groove in a printing cylinder. The said printing areas are either all closely spaced or abutting with at least one pair of the printing areas spaced by an increment which is, or each of which is, equal to an increment formed on the web during printing at the place where the end margins are secured to the printing cylinder, the remaining printing areas being all closely spaced or abutting. The plate is secured to the printing cylinder by the end margins, and the items are printed on the web in the form of repeated series thereof with equal increments between pairs of items and with the remaining items closely spaced or abutting. The printed web is wound into roll form.

Abstract: A labeling machine including means for feeding a continuous web having thereon a series of labels of a given length but with certain of the adjacent labels thereon spaced differently than other adjacent labels, and having thereon control elements related to such differences in the label spacing, the machine further including label severing means operable to cut off the terminal labels in the web at their given lengths regardless of the different spacings therebetween, and means controlled by the control elements on the web and operating the severing means to cut from the web the labels in uniform length and without having attached thereto any web portions providing spacings between adjacent labels. .Iadd.