Types of Labels For Printing Leave a comment

If your company is new to printing your own labels, you might be overwhelmed by all the label material types available on the market. There’s a whole world of label material types, adhesive strengths, and finishes, to choose from. If you don’t know where to begin, take a look at this guide from your label printing experts, Chicago Color Label. We’re here for all your printing needs and questions. Just contact us and we’ll help.

Label Material Types

We’ve come a long way since all labels were printed on paper, and that’s a great thing! However, it can make browsing all the types of labels a bit confusing. Do you know what label material types are going to work best for your next print job? Take a look at some of the most popular label material types:

Paper

Good, old-fashioned paper remains the most affordable label printing option. If you’re printing labels that will be used in a dry indoor environment, paper is a great label material type choice, especially for indoor, short-term use where the labels won’t be exposed to extreme humidity or temperature changes, or face abrasion-based tears and rips. Lamination can add durability, but not to the level of film-based materials like Polypropylene. Use paper labels for shipping and barcode labels, labels for products that don’t require refrigeration or heat exposure, and business materials that don’t require adhesive, like business cards and door hangers.

Polypropylene (BOPP)

BOPP is still an affordable option, but offers more durability than paper. This plastic label printing material is moisture resistant, holds up to temperature swings, and stands up to abrasive surfaces and potential tears. Colors also stay brighter on BOPP than on paper. White BOPP labels are excellent for health and beauty products because they can weather the heat and humidity of the shower while staying vibrant. Clear BOPP lets your product take center stage with a no-label look. This is a great choice for food labels, even on dark surfaces.

Polyester

For real strength and durability, opt for polyester labels. Fade-resistant and slow to deteriorate, polyester labels hold up to extreme conditions where you can’t risk your printed information wearing off.

No matter which type of labels you choose, you’ll also have a choice in finishes that include:

• High-gloss
• Semi-gloss
• Matte
• Holographic
• Metallic
• Clear

And don’t forget to consider what strength of adhesive you need before you buy. From removable types of labels to heavy-duty glues to combat cold, heat, and moisture, we can help at Chicago Color Label.

Types of Label Adhesives

Not only do you need to select the material of your labels, you need to give a lot of consideration to the type of adhesives that are going to work best for your labeled items. In general, you’ll find eight types of label adhesives:

• Permanent: As the name suggests, these labels won’t be going there. Use them for items that require long-term labeling.
• Repositionable: You can reduce the problems that come with tight-fits by using a repositionable label. Generally it takes about 48 hours for these labels to fully adhere to the surface, giving you two days to adjust them. Used these for labeling palette racks and signage.
• Removable: These labels give you the most flexibility. They’ll stay flat until you choose to peel them off. They won’t leave residue, and they don’t tear when removed, making them an excellent choice for auto window stickers.
• Ultra-Removable: When you need a label to stick to a delicate surface, ultra-removable is the right choice. They can be used and removed from paper materials like softcover books and newspapers.
• Ultra-Aggressive: At the other end of the spectrum you’ll find ultra-aggressive adhesives that can’t be removed easily, even after heavy usage. Safety signage and labels require this adhesive choice.
• Cold Temperature/Freezer: If you’re labeling frozen foods or chemicals that need to be kept at low temperatures, choose this adhesive that will stay in place in temperatures as low as -40 degrees F for labs and food service.
• Tamper-Evident: When you need to protect materials, this adhesive will fracture or leave behind a printed pattern that calls attention to the fact that someone has broken the seal. These are perfect for asset tracking and equipment labeling.
• High Tack: Need labels that can handle rough, textured, or powdered surfaces? You’ll find the increased level of stickiness these situations require when you choose a high tack adhesive.

Find the Type of Labels for Printing You Need at Chicago Color Label!

When you’re ready to buy the types of labels your business needs, visit the team at Chicago Color Label! We’re here to help you choose the best label material types and label printers for your business!