Media Types
There are few types of label and ribbon combinations for your usage depending on the product, surface, duration and environment. If you are unsure, here is the basic guide to help you decide what type, material or any other features on your label.
The main difference between a tag and a label is the tag's lack of any adhesive.
Labels/tags can be supplied:
separately/on a roll/on a sheet
Many labels are pre-printed by the manufacturer. Other have printing applied manually or automatically at the time of application.
Some labels have protective overcoats, laminates, or tape to cover them after the final print is applied. This is sometimes before application and sometimes after.
Labels are often difficult to peel and apply. Most companies use a Label dispenser to speed up this task.
Specialized high speed application equipment is available for certain uses.
Label Types
Smart labels
RFID chips embedded under the label stock.
Enhance process efficiencies
Introduce supply chain visibility
Improve inventory and asset management
Streamline work in process operations
Deter theft and counterfeiting
Take inventory in minutes not days
Piggyback
labels are made from combining two layers of adhesive substrate. The label can be applied to any object as normal, the top layer can be a removable label that can be applied elsewhere, which may change the message or marking on the remaining label underneath. Often used on Express mail.
Asset labels
Used for marking fixed and non-fixed assets. They are usually tamper-evident, permanent or frangible and usually contain a barcode for electronic identification using readers.
Laser/Inkjet labels
generally die cut on 8.5" x 11" sheets and a4 size, and come in many different shapes, sizes, and materials. Laser label material is a nonporous stock made to withstand the intense heat of laser printers and copiers. Inkjet label material is a porous stock made to accept ink and dye from an inkjet printer.
Retail tag
great for product sales and promotions. Combined with special shapes, sizes, ink colors, and attractive graphic layouts, your products are sure to stand out and get noticed!
Security labels
Used for anti-counterfeiting, brand protection, tamper-evident seals, anti-pilferage seals, etc. These combine a number of overt and covert features to make reproduction difficult. They are used for authentication, theft reduction, and protection against counterfeit.
Blockout labels
Labels are not see-through at all, concealing what lies underneath with a strong gray adhesive.
AntiMicrobial labels
With the growth in hospital acquired infections such as MRSA and E-Coli the use of Antimicrobial labels in infection sensitive areas of hospitals are helping in combating these types of microbes.
Label Material Types
they can be roughly divided to 3 types labels with different cost and application
Paper
most commonly used label material because of the cost and availability. Paper based media are used widely from retail to shipping but mostly indoor application. When compared to other materials, paper are not suitable for rugged and high moisture environment
Polypropylene
plastic material which is more durable than paper and can be used for rugged environment due to it’s water resistance nature. It would not tear thus making it very suitable to be asset labels. It is used indoor mostly and cost would be slightly higher compared to paper media
Polyester
material for extreme environments because it is the toughest material but comes with highest cost. It is normally used for outdoor or environment with extreme temperature, chemical and harsh conditions. Mostly used for vehicle label or chemical manufacturing environment
PSA Adhesive types
Pressure sensitive label adhesives are commonly made from water based acrylic adhesives, with a smaller volume made using solvent based adhesives and hot melt adhesives. The most common adhesive types are:
Permanent
Typically not designed to be removed without tearing the stock, damaging the surface, or using solvents. The adhesion strength and speed can also be varied. Full adhesion can be nearly instant, or developing in minutes or hours.
Peelable
Adhesion is fairly strong and will not fall off in normal circumstances, but the label can be removed relatively easily without tearing the base stock or leaving adhesive behind on the old surface. The adhesive is usually strong enough to be applied again elsewhere.
Ultra-peelable
Designed principally for use on book covers and glass, when removed these adhesives labels do not leave any residue whatsoever. Adhesion is weak and only suitable for light duty applications. Normally these labels have very little adhesion to anything once they've been removed.
Freezer or Frost fix
Most permanent and peelable adhesives have a service temperature limit of -10 degrees Celsius, whereas freezer adhesives have a service temperature -40 degrees Celsius and are suitable for deep freeze use.
High Tack
A type of permanent adhesive that exhibits a high initial grab to the application surfaces, and is commonly used at higher coat weights to enable labels to adhere strongly to difficult, rough or dirty surfaces.
Static Cling
This is not actually an adhesive at all. PVA has a static charge to enable its adhesion to flat, smooth surfaces such as glass. It is commonly used for window advertising, window decorations, oil change labels, etc.
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