Structure of labels

Structure of Labels

Labels have 3 basic elements, Facestock, adhesive and liner

Figuring out the right structure of labels you need can be a little confusing. There are many types of applications and configurations. Buying requires knowledge of the terms and configurations available to you. If you take a few minutes to review the following, we hope you will have a clearer understanding of the elements involved in making decisions about your label requirements.

Parts of a Label
Face Stock
Adhesive
Liner

For rolls:
Copy Position
Cutting and Layout Options
Layout Options
Core Sizes

For sheets:
Types of Sheets
Types of Cuts

Face Stock
Are you printing on a wide variety of pressure sensitive materials including paper, fluorescent, vinyl, aluminum, polyesters, clear acetate, latex, and computer imprintable materials. Stocks can be converted in piggyback constructions, continuous pinfeeds, fanfold construction, individual sheets.

What kind of face stock is best for your application?

Will the label have to be typed or written on?

Will the material be going through a label imprinter, if so what type of imprinter machine? Also, will the label be subject to abrasion, cleaning solvents, etc.? Does the face stock need a varnish or clear lamination?)

Tell us what the label is being applied to: Wood, Corrugated boxes, plastic bags, flat plastic surface, plastic jars and jugs, glass jars, metal surface, irregular surface, paper products, car bumpers, small diameter products, clothing, inside window, direct food product, automobile tires, not known, outside drums, other. Maybe its for high temperature applications.

Adhesive
The adhesives are also very extensive such as: Permanent Adhesives, Removable adhesive, Freezer adhesive, Tire adhesive for difficult to adhere surfaces. Tamperproof adhesives which leave a void image if tried to removed, 3M post-it adhesive, Pharmaceutical, to name a few of the different types. Direct labeling on food requires special FDA approved adhesives.

What kind of adhesive is best for your application? Answer the following questions to help us determine your needs.

How long will the label need to be on the item? (1 year, 5 years, more?)
What temperature will the labels be applied at? (Normal room temperature?)
What will the storage temperature of the applied labels be?(Normal room temperature, below freezing?)

Liners
Liners are a silicon coated and are available in different weights. Liners are usually Kraft calendered paper but some film liners to exist.

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