Label stacking machine and method

A method of making a pad of labels comprising:

• providing a substrate having printed display material on a top surface of the substrate, a first layer of lamination material on a bottom surface of the substrate, a second layer of lamination material having a release coating on the top surface of the substrate, and an adhesive strip on the bottom surface of the substrate, the adhesive strip being covered by a liner material;
• cutting the substrate into at least one label, the at least one label having a top surface;
• removing the liner material after cutting the substrate into at least one label;
• lifting and moving the at least one label by applying a force through a flexible pad to the top surface of the at least one label, wherein the force applied to the top surface is continuous and directed through the flexible pad by a plurality of apertures;
• and
• releasing the force applied to the top surface of the at least one label to arrange the at least one label into a pad of labels, the pad of labels sequenced in accordance with a planogram of a store.