Product Labels - Its a sticky subject!

Label Adhesives - It’s what underneath that counts

Whilst attention-grabbing product labels may be your number one priority, the money spent on spectacular design and print counts for nothing if the label falls off after five minutes! That’s why, before confirming your print-run, it’s essential to consider the environmental conditions to which your labels will be exposed. These range from where your product is warehoused prior to application and how your labels will be applied, to whether your containers will be filled with hot or cold liquids and how they will be stored afterwards.

You’ll notice, when initially researching label application, that there are two main types of adhesive – Hot-Melt and Acrylic. If only it were this simple! A quick Google search uncovers pages of conflicting information regarding both processes, driving home the fact that DIY product labels are never really an option.

It certainly does pay to understand and discuss the entire lifespan of your product with your label print professional.

Forming a strong bond – what adhesive is best?

Generally, Hot-Melt adhesives are rubber-based, solid at room temperature and have a high initial tack (i.e. they grab/adhere quickly and easily). This makes them great for bonding to textured surfaces - their softer composition allowing them to flow into irregularities to form excellent adhesion. They are also especially useful (due to their fast-set speed) for product label application to cold surfaces – think beverages and ice-cream.

Alternatively, Acrylic adhesives are a cost-effective solution if you are adding your product labels before the container is filled, or at least 24 hours before your product is exposed to a drastic change of temperature. You see, whilst these types of adhesives have a lower initial tack, their bond increases over time to a high level and they have good long-term adhesion to smooth surfaces.

Knowledge = Power (and a great result!)

Regardless of your product labels requirement, with over 35 years of expertise, Next Labels acknowledges the fact that no single adhesive is universally best. Instead we work with you, removing the guesswork, to find the very best solution for your specific application.

To find out more click here, email us at hello@nextlabels.com.au, or give us a call on (02) 8622 5500.