A system for printing and applying labels to a flow of objects, comprising a labelling unit, an object transporting device, an object detection sensor, and a control unit, wherein the labelling unit comprises a label printing unit configured for printing labels to be applied to the objects, wherein the object transporting device is configured for transporting individual objects in a random flow to the labelling unit in an object transporting direction, wherein the object detection sensor is arranged upstream the labelling unit and is configured for detecting a position of the objects when they are transported past the object detection sensor towards the labelling unit, wherein two directly after each other transported objects arranged on the object transporting device are separated by a separation distance (Ds), wherein the separation distance (Ds) is calculated by the control unit based on position detection by the object detection sensor of reference points (P R) between a preceding object (3.1) and a directly subsequent object (3.2) being transported on the object transporting device, wherein if the separation distance (Ds) is equal to or less than a predetermined first trigger distance value (D T1), the label printing unit is configured for printing labels to be applied to the objects in a continuous printing mode (Mc), wherein the label printing unit in the continuous printing mode (Mc) is printing labels in subsequent label printing operations without pausing the printing of labels between the label printing operations, wherein if the separation distance (Ds) is greater than the predetermined first trigger distance value (D T1), the label printing unit is configured for printing labels to be applied to the objects in an intermittent printing mode (M I), wherein the label printing unit in the intermittent printing mode (M I) is printing labels in subsequent label printing operations and pausing the printing of labels between each label printing operation. wherein the object transporting device is configured for transporting individual objects in a random flow to the labelling unit in an object transporting direction, wherein the object detection sensor is arranged upstream the labelling unit and is configured for detecting a position of the objects when they are transported past the object detection sensor towards the labelling unit, wherein two directly after each other transported objects arranged on the object transporting device are separated by a separation distance (Ds), wherein the separation distance (Ds) is calculated by the control unit based on position detection by the object detection sensor of reference points (P R) between a preceding object (3.1) and a directly subsequent object (3.2) being transported on the object transporting device, wherein if the separation distance (Ds) is equal to or less than a predetermined first trigger distance value (D T1), the label printing unit is configured for printing labels to be applied to the objects in a continuous printing mode (Mc), wherein the label printing unit in the continuous printing mode (Mc) is printing labels in subsequent label printing operations without pausing the printing of labels between the label printing operations, wherein if the separation distance (Ds) is greater than the predetermined first trigger distance value (D T1), the label printing unit is configured for printing labels to be applied to the objects in an intermittent printing mode (M I), wherein the label printing unit in the intermittent printing mode (M I) is printing labels in subsequent label printing operations and pausing the printing of labels between each label printing operation.