Self-adhesive labels- What should I consider when ordering?
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Self-adhesive labels- What should I consider when ordering?

Aug 30, 2021 | Labels, Stickers

Basic questions that you need to ask yourself during the label ordering process:

  • What surface will the label be attached to?
  • What conditions will the label be used in?
  • What should the label look like?
  • How will the label be placed on the packaging?

Your answers will allow you to determine what type of adhesive or material is to be used. They will lead you to produce a label that will meet all your customers’ needs within a specific budget and time. 

Let’s dive in a little deeper. 

  1. Quantity

A very important thing to consider when placing an order is the quantity of labels you need. As with other products, the more labels you order, the lower the individual price per label will be. Keep in mind that the printing cost of 100 or 500 labels may end up being close to the cost of 1000 or 2000 labels. It is very important to think carefully about your label printing needs. A significant part of the cost of labels depends on the method of production and the chosen finish. 

  1. Area of Application 

The type of adhesive that needs to be used really depends on the surface to which the label is to be attached. 

The chemical composition of the adhesive will react differently to the chemical composition of different surfaces. For example, glue that strongly adheres to a porous surface (such as paper or cardboard) can slip off a smooth plastic bottle. 

Another factor to consider is whether you’d like for your label to be removable. If so, how removable and in which situations? If you’ve ever peeled the label off your drinking glass and there was sticky residue left over, you know how frustrating it can be when the glue you apply is too strong. 

Environmental factors such as heat and humidity also play an important role in the decision-making process when choosing your labels. 

  1. External factors

It is important to be aware of the conditions under which the labels are to be placed. What conditions are the labels expected to withstand? 

 Warm and cold 

The temperatures that the label is exposed to, whether during application, storage, transport or in the end use, can have a large influence on its durability. 

Let’s consider an example of a label being applied to a water bottle. The bottle can be filled with warm water, stored in a cool warehouse, then a cold refrigerator or freezer, and then exposed to sunlight, a hot car interior or a backpack. Not only does the label material have to be resistant to temperature changes, but the adhesive does as well. If temperature exposure is not taken into account, the label may not be stay on permanently. 

Here are some examples of some good questions to ask: 

  • Will the labels be attached to the packages before or after filling? 
  • What will the temperature be during the application of the label? 
  • What temperatures will the label be exposed to during transport and storage? 
  • Will the product be chilled, frozen, or heated? 

Moisture 

Moisture can be disastrous for product labels. It doesn’t take much water to damage the label. Moisture affects not only the material of the label, but also the adhesive applied, eg. Water-based glue will not keep the label in place when in contact with moisture. 

For labels that should be moisture resistant, we use: 

  • Synthetic materials such as: polypropylene, polyethylene, pet, which are much more durable than paper; 
  • Acrylic based glue; 
  • UV varnish or protective laminate. 

Light 

Regardless of the label’s purpose, it will be exposed to light. If the appropriate ink and materials are not selected, prolonged exposure can ruin the label. The labels can peel or fade from the sunlight. Light can also have a positive effect, in that it can make elements of the printed image stand out by shining and shimmering, e.g. For products with cold stamping, the foil stands out when exposed to light. 

  1. Appearance

The label showcases the product; it attracts the consumer’s attention and very often determines whether he decides to buy it. Therefore, it should be refined, aesthetically pleasing, and it should have positive associations 

Here are some aspects to consider when considering the label’s appearance: 

Color and pattern 

It is a good idea to analyze your graphic design to make sure it satisfies your expectations, even if that means changing the label specifications. Sometimes, great aesthetics can be achieved by combining printing techniques, inks, materials or finishes in an unexpected way, to create a unique look. For example, using cold stamping as a method of printing refinement will give the label a more exclusive look. 

The type of printing, whether it be digital printing from the CMYK palette or printing from the Pantone palette, will also affect the budget and the final effect of the product. 

Label size and shape 

The size and shape of the label is a fundamental detail that needs to be decided on. Printing houses usually have many ready-to-use cutting dies available. However, if the customer wants a new label size that the printing house does not have in stock, a new cutting die can be purchased. The order cost of the new cutting die depends on the size and shape of the label. 

  1. Application method

When ordering labels on a roll, it is very important to specify the type of packaging required. When placing an order, please provide information about the method of label application – whether it will be manual or automatic application. It is important to know the size of the core (cardboard sleeve on which the labels are wound), the size of the entire label roll, and the winding direction. 

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