Label Selection Guide
Labels can be found everywhere in life and have become an integral part of our daily life. Then we need to consider many factors when choosing labels. Labels are made up of a substrate, a coating, an adhesive and a liner, and each component has different material options due to the different environments in which the labels are used. Next we will look in detail at the material options for each layer.
Self-adhesive label facestock options
Label facestocks fall into two main categories: paper-based facestocks and film-based facestocks. The choice between the two depends on the customer's product and environment, and determines which material is ultimately best suited for both.
Paper type
Paper label facestock is a common label material with a variety of types and uses. Below are several common paper label facestocks and their characteristics:
Paper type face materials include
1.Top Coated Thermal Paper:According to different requirements, the thermal coating formula can be varied to achieve different properties. In addtion to satisfy the printing speed, it can also perform waterproof, Oil-proof, alcohol-proof, anti-plasticizing and other Environmental resistance.Suitable for thermal printing systems, it has excellent printing performance and can be used for general conventional printing.
2.Thermal Paper:Smooth bright white paper with thermal coating, specifically designed for thermal printing systems, with excellent barcode printing performance; Thermo sensitive paper with a protective layer has additional environmental resistances such as waterproof and Oil-proof.Widely applied in supermarket labels.
3.High Gloss Art Paper:With extremely high glossiness provides excellent high gloss surface and printability.It is widely used for high gloss color label printing paper, typical uses such as cosmetics labels, pharmaceutical labels, food labels and promotional labels, etc.. PS: Do not apply to small-caliber bottles.
4.Art Paper:Super calendered semi gloss paper, which is a solution that balances performance and cost. Optimized for light opacity, brightness and smoothness. Suitable for a variety of printing methods.Suitable for various printing methods and ribbon printing.
5.Woodfree Paper:Matte paper with a relatively rough surface and good ink absorption performance. Suitable for printing simple graphics and text. It is commonly used as office stationery and logistics documents.,Suitable for printing single or multi-color business printing, as well as laser printing and inkjet printing.
6.Laser Printing Paper:White matte paper with special surface treatment. With good laser printing performance.Suitable for simple applications or special purposes, such as electronic cigarette labels, etc..
7.Inkjet Printing Paper:Inkjet printing paper is a series of white glossy paper specially designed for on-demand color inkjet printers. Suitable for water-based pigment inks and dye inks. It has the characteristics of high ink holding and good quick-drying performance.
Film type
Film-based facestocks are a class of label fabrics made from polymer films with excellent resistance to water, tearing and chemicals.
Film type face materials include
1.Thermal Synthetic Paper:Thermal synthetic paper is a self-colored and smooth PP film with a thermal sensitive coating. The top layer of the product has a special low-ionic coating, which provides protective properties for the thermal sensitive coating. It is suitable for low-speed thermal barcode printing.It has good printing adaptability and can be used with various printing methods. It has good die-cutting performance and can also be used for thermal barcode printing.
2.Synthetic Paper:It is an off-white BOPP synthetic material with a paper-like visual effect. It is suitable for various printing technologies such as flexographic printing, gravure printing, and screen printing, as well as thermal transfer printing. It has excellent covering performance on dark bottles and good die-cutting performance.It is suitable for normal color printing and ribbon printing, and has good die-cutting and registration performance.
3.BOPP:Biaxially oriented, rigid film with transparent, white, and bright silver effects. It has good die-cutting and registration performance and, when combined with PET liner, provides excellent transparency (invisible effect) and high tear resistance.It is suitable for normal color printing and has good die-cutting performance.
4.PE:High-gloss transparent polyethylene film with good printing adaptability and die-cutting performance. It is extremely flexible and suitable for plastic squeeze bottles.It has good printing adaptability, can be used with various printing methods, has good die-cutting performance, and is suitable for and have good performance on plastic squeeze bottles.
5.Pearl Film:White high-gloss BOPP film with pearl-like shiny effect and excellent covering performance. The surface coating greatly improves the printability and die-cutting processability of the facestock.It can be used for various printing methods such as gravure printing, flexographic printing, intaglio printing, and screen printing. To ensure the best ink effect, on-line corona treatment is recommended.
Self-adhesive label adhesive selection
1.Hot melt:Min. Application Temperature 10℃,Service Temperature Range -15℃~90℃,Universal permanent rubber based adhesive, suitable for most surface materials, with good initial and final adhesion, suitable for attaching various conventional substrates. Mainly used in express logistics, supermarkets, food, daily chemicals, pharmaceuticals, pesticides, etc.
2.Hot melt (for low temp.):Min. Application Temperature -10℃,Service Temperature Range -25℃~65℃,Low temperature rubber based adhesive, specifically designed for low temperature and cold environments. In low temperature environments, it has good initial and final viscosity.Mainly used in fields such as express logistics, fresh food, cold chain, etc.
3.Hot melt (anti freezing):Min. Application Temperature -20℃,Service Temperature Range -35℃~25℃,Frozen rubber based adhesives are specifically designed for low temperature and refrigerated environments. In low temperature environments, it has good initial and final viscosity Mainly used in fresh, cold chain, refrigeration and other fields.
4.Acrylic:Min. Application Temperature 10℃,Service Temperature Range -20℃~100℃,Universal high viscosity permanent acrylic emulsion adhesive with good initial and final adhesion, suitable for attaching various conventional substrates.Mainly used in supermarkets, offices, home appliances, food, packaging and logistics, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, etc.
5.Acrylic:Min. Application Temperature 10℃,Service Temperature Range -20℃~100℃.Universal film acrylic adhesive, mainly suitable for film labels, with good initial and final adhesion, suitable for attaching various conventional substrates. Mainly used in fields such as food, beverages, daily chemicals, personal care, and durable labeling.
6.Removable adhesive:Removable adhesive 10℃,Service Temperature Range -20℃~80℃.Removable acrylic vinegar adhesive has a wide range of applications and good initial adhesive properties, which can be peeled off cleanly from most of the adhered substrates without leaving any residue.Mainly used in processes such as transfer, furniture, office, personal care, and other fields.
The liner of label selection
Label liners are mainly divided into two categories: paper and film. The choice between the two depends on the customer's product and environment and determines which material is ultimately best suited for the two.
1.Glassine: 40-120g.The paper is dense and uniform, with good internal strength and light transmittance.Suitable for high-speed rotary printing, die-cutting and automatic labeling, its die-cutting processing performance is good.
2.PEK: 80g.one side coated kraft paperExcellent flatness, smooth coating surface.Suitable for sheet application, good strength in die cutting.
3.CCK: 70-120g,coated white matte paper.Excellent flatness.Suitable for sheet application, good strength in die cutting.
4.PET:19-36μm.Transparent polyester film.Excellent transparency, can form no liner feeling products.Suitable for express logistics; With transparent BOPP surface material to form a label free product.
We Can Help You Choose the Right Label Materials for Your Customers
When considering the best type of label for your product, it is important to ask your customers the right questions about their needs. Sailingpaper has label industry experts with 18 years of manufacturing experience that will select the best product for your product requirements. Contact us today!
2024-03-27 15:24:15