Hand applied means that you do not require the use of a machine or label applicator to apply your labels. Hand applied is the common choice for small label orders in which you are looking to simply peel and stick your label on your product or surface. In some instances, you may be using a label applicator and therefore it is important you specify your labels will be applied by machine.
Machine applied refers to the process of applying your labels via an applicator or other machine method. It involves specifying a specific unwind direction, usually either (1) top off first, (2) bottom off first, (3) right off first, or (4) left off first.