Labels are more than just a billboard for your products. They're silent ambassadors, conveying vital information and influencing consumer perception. But with so many options for materials, adhesives, and printing techniques, navigating the world of labeling can be overwhelming.

Fear not! This guide to label materials and adhesives will equip you with the knowledge to choose the perfect label for your needs, ensuring clear communication, brand consistency, and even environmental responsibility.

The Label Building Blocks

Understanding the fundamental building blocks – face stock, adhesive, and liner – lays the foundation for choosing the perfect label for your specific needs.

Face Stock

The face stock is the top layer of the label that is printed and the canvas for your message. Common face stocks come in two basic categories, paper and film. Other options such as vinyl, foil and for unique and sometimes less common applications such as dissolvable face stocks.

Label Adhesive

The adhesive is the invisible handshake that holds your label firmly in place. Permanent, removable, and repositionable options cater to a variety of applications, while specialty adhesives conquer extreme temperatures, chemicals, and rough surfaces.

Label Liner

The label liner is the bottom layer of the label construction. Although it’s discarded after application, it is crucial for keeping the adhesive protected. Silicone-coated liners ensure smooth label release.

Understanding Label Materials

Designed for a variety of different applications, there are many different types of label materials. 

Paper Face Stock

Paper face stocks are the most common label material and also the least expensive. They are more suited for temporary applications and ones that require less durability like those that are used indoors and will not get wet.

Fluorescent Paper

Another type of paper label is fluorescent. The stunning colors help highlight important messages. For example, a shipping warning label uses fluorescent paper to guide proper handling. Similar to standard paper, this upscale material comes colored from the paper mills in truly eye-popping fluorescents.

Vinyl Materials

Vinyl materials work effectively on containers with odd shapes and small diameters like cosmetic containers. The material is waterproof and provides a unique soft-to-the-touch feel. Because of their durability, vinyl materials are also used for labeling chemicals and hazardous materials.

Polyester Face Stock

Polyester face stocks are durable with significant resistance to ultraviolet rays, temperature and chemicals and are also waterproof. Although these durable properties make it a premium option, the material is a good alternative for electronics, power tools, appliances, heavy and mechanical equipment.

Polypropylene (BOPP)

These labels offer more durability than a paper face stock, but not at the level of polyester. The material is highly flexible and well-suited for labeling in cold environments and applications involving moisture. In addition, it offers average resistance against ultraviolet exposure, chemicals and temperatures. Polypropylene is a common label material applied to beverages, toiletries and cosmetics. 

Foil & Foil-like

Foil & Foil-like labels give products a shiny, metallic sheen. The material draws attention to the package it’s used for creating a higher-end look. You’ll often see these materials on food packaging, cosmetics, electronics and pharmaceutical products. 

Dissolvable Materials

A dissolvable label material disintegrates in only a few minutes when immersed in water and leaves very little residue. But, because these materials are made to dissolve, they are very sensitive to storage conditions. Humidity and warm conditions can cause the material to turn yellow. Dissolvable materials are often applied to glass and plastic containers and are great for food service applications. 

Exploring Label Adhesives

While permanent, removable, and repositionable form the adhesive foundation, there are numerous specialized options. Let’s look at the alternatives:

Permanent Adhesives

A permanent adhesive forms a strong bond that prevents removal of the label without either tearing the label or the surface to which the label is applied. Shipping labels, address labels and product labels are common applications. 

Removable Adhesives

A removable adhesive allows the label to be peeled off and removed entirely or reapplied elsewhere. Removable adhesives are used on food items like fruits and vegetables, medical and patient information and reusable containers. 

Repositionable Adhesives

Repositionable adhesives provide short-term removability. It allows you to remove, reposition or reapply a label without losing much adhesion or leaving residue on the surface. CleanTac® is an example of a repositionable adhesive that is easily removed from an item without damaging or leaving residue. Infection control signs and labels use a repositionable adhesive. With cleaning and disinfecting an essential infection prevention step, it’s easy to remove each item, clean the surface and then reapply the label. This eliminates waste and reduces the cost of these items. 

But, basic adhesives don’t work effectively for every application. For example, labels that need to withstand hot and cold temperatures, the elements, chemicals and more, require specialty adhesives to perform as needed.  

Cold Temperature Adhesives

Cold temperature adhesives withstand cold weather environments including coolers, freezers and unheated warehouses. Medications and vaccines that require cold temperature storage, frozen foods and equipment that operates in severe environments require cold temperature adhesives. 

Hot Temperature Adhesives

Hot temperature adhesives withstand hot conditions and are used in consumer durable applications, such as tire labels and automotive battery labels. They are also used in healthcare applications such as autoclaving (heating under high pressure to sterilize) to ensure a specific temperature has been reached.

Plastic Adhesives

Plastic adhesives differ depending on the specific type of plastic you are labeling. High-Density Polypropylene (HDPE) and Polypropylene (PP) are the primary plastics used in packaging applications. Both are low surface energy plastics that require an adhesive chemistry that allows the label to adhere properly without losing its adhesion. Labels applied to certain types of medical devices and electronic components use plastic adhesives. 

Tamper Evident Adhesives

A tamper-evident adhesive is actually an acrylic adhesive. It bonds permanently and works on a variety of surfaces. As the name implies, if someone tries to tamper with a package, the adhesive is designed to make that tampering evident. Tamper evident adhesive labels applied to food, drugs and sterile equipment help to ensure the package hasn’t been opened or altered. 

Durable Adhesives

Durable adhesives stand up to more challenging labeling applications. For example, they adhere to rough and slightly oily surfaces and don’t fail if exposed to chemicals and solvents. An acrylic-based durable adhesive is both waterproof and weatherproof. It is also a more expensive option. Chemical drums and materials with rough surfaces are examples of items that require a durable adhesive. 

What Types of Materials Do You Need for Your Application?

Many industries require specialized materials to work effectively for their unique processes. For example,

Healthcare Labels

Throughout the patient care spectrum, labels are an essential part of maintaining proper care.  

Specimen Labels

Specimens encounter both temperature and handling extremes. For some testing processes, specimen labels need to:

• Withstand hot and/or cold temperatures
• Transportation outside the facility or through pneumatic tubes
• The rigor of specimen analyzers
• Xylene

… and more. These applications may require a glove-safe permanent adhesive that works effectively in temperatures ranging from -51℃ to 93℃ (-6℉ to 200℉). In addition, for cryogenic applications, the demands on labels are more extreme. They must withstand vapor and liquid phase nitrogen, conventional freezer storage from -196℃ to 100℃.

Autoclave Tapes and Labels

Sterilizing surgical instruments requires a removable and glove-safe label that can withstand detergents and steam heat up to +121°C, or dry heat up to 150℃.

IV Tubing and Line Labels

Accounting for temperature variations is an important step in proper IV tubing and line labeling. It requires either a permanent or removable, glove-safe adhesive. 

Industrial Labels

Industrial labels are designed to withstand the harsh conditions and demanding environments commonly found in industrial settings. These labels are crucial for identification, safety, compliance, and operational efficiency in various industries.

Chemical Labels

Durability, temperature extremes, the elements, solvents and more are just a few of the demands a chemical label must withstand. To guarantee label longevity and legibility, prioritize robust adhesives, film-based face stocks, and water/chemical resistance properties.

Safety Labels

Similar to chemical labels, safety labels that meet OSHA requirements may need to meet similar durability demands. 

Consumer Labels

Consumer labels serve a multifaceted role and are essential for providing consumers with important product information. They aid in safe and informed usage, complying with regulatory standards, and serving as a key marketing tool. 

Product Labels

Although durability is important, a key element of a product label is commanding the attention of a consumer. Paper remains the industry standard for product labels, particularly in the food, beverage, and pharmaceutical sectors, due to its versatile customizability. For odd-shaped or curved surfaces, polypropylene is an effective option.  

Shipping Labels

Although shipping labels are typically required only for a short duration, they do have to withstand the heat of a trailer in the hot and humid summer weather of places like Houston or the frigid sub-zero temperatures of Duluth in January. This requires a permanent adhesive with a temperature range from -60℉ to 200℉.

Environmental Considerations

Regardless of the product, it’s in all of our best interests to use environmentally-friendly options. These are options that will increase sustainability.

• Eco-friendly materials and printing techniques - eco-friendly materials are available for both face stocks and adhesives. Plus, water-based and UV-curable inks reduce harmful emissions and waste compared to conventional printing processes.
• FSC-certified materials - The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to sustainable forest management. FSC certification requires adherence to the 10 Principles of Forest Stewardship that define good forest management. Applied worldwide, these principles are designed to ensure that water, soil, and wildlife are protected as raw materials are harvested and replenished. UAL maintains FSC Chain of Custody (COC)-certified locations. 
• Linerless Labels - Linerless labels do not require a release liner, which is the backing paper that is typically discarded after label application. This not only reduces waste but also allows more labels to be printed on a single roll, minimizing freight costs and the need for frequent roll changes. 

Compliance

Depending upon your industry, there are specific sets of compliance standards you are required to adhere to. Organizations such as The Joint Commission, the U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), OSHA, the FDA and more, set guidelines that enhance safety. Proper labeling is one way companies can meet those standards. For example, here are just a few workplace standards that labels help to address:

• Using medications safely is one of The Joint Commissions’ Patient Safety Goals. Labeling medications properly is one way to prevent a problem. 
• Hazardous drugs (HDs) can put patients and caregivers at risk but that risk is lowered when HDs are labeled properly. 
• Labeling primary and secondary containers of hazardous chemicals is an OSHA communication standard.
• The FDA requires labels to remain in place and legible during the customary conditions of distribution, storage, and use. 

Not only does proper labeling protect the consumer and improve workplace safety, but in many cases it’s a requirement. Failure to comply with specific guidelines can lead to fines and legal issues. 

Additional Label Materials and Adhesives Business Tips

While materials and adhesives are key, there are other aspects that influence the decision-making process.

• Printer Compatibility: Although standard thermal, laser and inkjet printers are effective at processing standard materials, that may not be true for specialty materials and adhesives. Make sure to check printer specifications first.
• Storage: Regardless of the materials and adhesives or whether they are produced in rolls or sheets, storage is an essential consideration. Maintaining proper temperature and humidity while implementing appropriate handling processes will help to prevent problems. 

United Ad Label Custom Label Solutions

United Ad Label brings over 60 years of experience, strong supplier relationships and technical expertise that allow us to deliver economical, high quality custom labels. Our Custom Label Designer app makes it easy to design, price and order custom labels online. Or, if you have questions about your application or need additional assistance, you can speak directly with our customer service team.