A method for obtaining one or more labels from a base support, the method comprising the steps of:
- a) providing a flat base support in accordance with CARD STANDARD ISO CR80 ISO 7810, with the following transverse and longitudinal measurements 58.9 mm×85.6 mm and thicknesses ranging between 0.25 and 1.25 mm, the flat base support comprising at least one non-removable region and at least one removable region having dimensions substantially corresponding to the size of the label to be printed, the non-removable region of the flat base support comprising at least one continuous perimetral region (120) comprising a continuous strip (121a;121b) parallel to the longitudinal dimension (X-X) of the support along each longitudinal edge of the flat base support, and a continuous strip (122a;122b) parallel to the transverse dimension (Y-Y) along each transverse edge of the base support;
- b) inserting the flat base support (100) into a printer for performing printing on base supports according to the standard indicated in step a) via an inlet side (501), the printer having transportation rollers (510) for conveying the base support along a transit path between the inlet side (501), a printing area (503) and an outlet/extraction side (502), and sensor means for detecting the presence/position of the flat base support inside the printer, the sensor means being arranged in a position such as to detect one of said edge strips of the continuous perimetral region (120) of the flat base support, when the latter is correctly positioned inside the printer;
- conveying of the flat base support by means of the transportation rollers (510) to the printing area (503) and checking as to the presence and correct positioning of the flat base support in the printing area (503) via the sensor means, the transportation rollers (510) being arranged so as to define at least one region for gripping the base support, extending parallel to the longitudinal direction (X-X), and so as to operate along at least one of said longitudinal edge strips (121a;121b) of the flat base support, when the latter is correctly positioned along the transit path;
- c) selectively printing alphanumeric and/or graphical labelling information on at least one selected removable region of the base support, by means of the printer controlled by control means adapted to control selective printing by the printer on one or more of said removable regions of the flat base support;
- and
- d) conveying the printed flat base support to the outlet side (502) and extracting the printed flat base support from the printer,
- wherein the flat base support provided in step a) is without at least one removable region which has already been removed,
- wherein the base support with the at least one already removed region is inserted from a front side of the flat base support which is intact and/or without removed regions and/or is oriented so that, upon insertion, removable regions (110a) which have not been removed and are longitudinally adjacent to one or more already removed regions (1110) are positioned in front of said already removed regions (1110),
- wherein the printer is controlled so as to print labelling information on at least one removable region of said flat base support, which has not been previously removed, and
- wherein the base support follows a substantially planar path between the point of insertion into and point of extraction from the printer, the transit plane being substantially tangential to the transportation rollers (510) and coplanar with the printing area (503).