Pressure-Sensitive Is An Effective Option For Labeling

Pressure sensitive (PS) labels may be the most common form of labeling in use today. There's a reason: They are versatile, easy to use, and cost-effective. This applies to the application machinery as well, making a hard-to-beat combination.

PS labels are available in paper, plastic, and foil. The same labeling technology is also used to apply plastic hang tags, security devices, medallions, and other non-flexible objects. Labels are normally preprinted, but new developments with in-line printing allow application of individually customized labels.

PS labels are supplied on a paper or plastic liner or web with the adhesive pre-applied. This brings us to the first critical point: Label, adhesive, and substrate (bottle, can, box, etc.…) must be carefully matched. There are over 250 adhesive formulations. An adhesive that works great on a frozen product, might not work at all on a product meant for the oven. Some adhesives are best for a dry environment, others for a wet environment.

I once had a client applying a thin film label to flame-treated plastic bottles. When the labels started wrinkling, they found that the supplier had begun using a plasma treatment. A different adhesive solved that problem.

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