Apparatus and process for cutting adhesive labels

A method of forming a cut adhesive backed label on a liner, comprising:

• providing a web of label stock comprising a facestock having a first side and a second side, an adhesive layer adhered to a first side of the facestock and, optionally, a release liner adhered an exposed surface of the adhesive layer, wherein the release liner has a thickness less that 0.0254 mm;
• when a liner is present, feeding the web of label stock to a separator station, wherein the separator separates the liner from the facestock and adhesive layer;
• when a liner is not present or following separation of the liner from the facestock when present, feeding the facestock and adhesive layer to a cutting station to form a plurality of cut adhesive backed labels and a surrounding matrix, wherein the cutting station comprises a flexible rotary die and an anvil roller wherein the flexible rotary die comprises a die plate that is fastened to a mounting cylinder,
• wherein a solid material fills an air gap formed between the die plate and the mounting cylinder wherein the solid material has a greater thermal conductivity than air;
• and
• wherein the adhesive is cooled prior to entering the cutting station or the flexible rotary die is chilled, or a combination of both, wherein the cooling is to such a degree so as to reduce the tack of the adhesive to the die;
• when a release liner is present, relaminating the previously removed release liner to the cut adhesive backed labels and matrix or, optionally, laminating a new release liner to the cut adhesive backed labels.