Most Label Failures Are Adhesive Failures
When a label lifts, curls at the edge or slides, the print is almost never the cause. The cause is a facestock and adhesive combination chosen against the artwork rather than against the container. Three facts settle the specification: what the container is made of, what temperature it is filled at, and what conditions it is stored in.
Facestock By Surface
- Coated paper for dry indoor use on cartons and cases. Cheapest, and adequate for most secondary packaging.
- Transparent PVC and clear PET for a no label look on glass and plastic, waterproof and oil tolerant.
- White opal PVC where the container is coloured or already printed and the label needs full opacity.
- Polyester for high temperature and chemical exposure, which is why it appears on cables, components and industrial products.
- Aluminium foil for a metallic appearance with good moisture and heat resistance.
- Kraft paper for eco led food and beverage brands.
- Laser stock as the base for holographic and anti counterfeit constructions.
The Five Adhesive Systems
- Water based glue. The general purpose default, good on paper, board and dry plastics at room temperature.
- Hot melt glue. Higher initial tack, better on difficult and low energy surfaces.
- Oily glue. Formulated for surfaces carrying a film of oil, which defeats standard adhesives.
- High temperature resistance glue. For containers filled hot or products that see heat in service.
- Removable glue. Comes away cleanly, for promotional, temporary and returnable applications.
Curved And Squeezable Containers
On a small radius, a paper facestock will crease and then lift at the edges. Film facestocks flex with the container and are the right answer on small bottles, tubes and squeezable packs. This is a stiffness question, not an adhesive one, and no glue will fix a facestock that is too rigid for the curve.
Security Constructions
Where a product gets counterfeited, the label itself becomes the control. Hologram QR codes, variable serial numbers, laser anti counterfeit stock, fragile stickers that destruct on removal and tear resistant adhesive constructions are all produced on this line.
What To Send For A Fast Quote
The quickest route to an accurate price is to send: the type of product and the packaging request, whether you need bag pieces or roll film, the material thickness, the specification, the number of colours and the quantity ordered. If the labels run on an automatic applicator, add the roll direction and the core size.
Ask For Guidance
Material and design adjustment is part of the service on this line. Describe the application and the conditions, and we will propose the most cost effective material and adhesive combination rather than quoting the most expensive one that will certainly work.
