Thermal Transfer Labels are the backbone of every supply chain. Effectiveness of a label can be largely associated to its adhesive. A colorful label designed to attract attention or bolster brand image or a heat-resistant label made for track and trace applications will fail miserably if it doesn’t stay where it belongs. Quality graphics and print, scratch or fade resistant ink coatings, and sturdy substrate materials are all important features that make up a good label. Just as important is the quality of the adhesive.
The adhesive labels that are seen on products and cartons are made of several layers of specialized 
materials sandwiched together to create a label that looks good, identifies something, and lasts as long as it is needed. The core components of a label are the Liner, Release Coat, Adhesive, Face Stock, and Topcoat.
The release liner is the backing paper that makes up the web of a roll of labels. The release coat is a coating applied to the top surface of the liner which resists the adhesive so that the face stock and adhesive can be peeled away from the liner during label application.
On top of the adhesive is the face stock, the paper, film, or other type of material on which printing is done. The face stock can be covered with a topcoat to provide physical protection from abrasion or to enhance some other property of the label.
Pressure sensitive labels stick to a surface with light or moderate pressure from an automated label applicator, or by hand during manual application. Below are some factors to consider when selecting an adhesive:
- Duration the label should stay on the surface applied.
- Glue residue left on a product surface if the label is removed.
- The type of surface where the label will be applied – paper, plastic, glass, metal.
- Texture of the surface the label is applied to – rough or smooth.
- Temperature when the label is applied and when it is stored.
- Environment in which the label must function.
Labels can be permanent, removable or repositionable depending on the type of adhesive. Permanent label adhesives mean labels are difficult to remove without damage to the label and can leave residue on the surface of the product. Permanent label adhesives are usually the most cost-efficient and create the strongest bond. Labels with permanent adhesive are found on products that exist in difficult, wet, or harsh environments, or on labels that are used as a tamper-evident device.
Removeable adhesives allow labels to be taken off the surface of a product and shouldn’t be used on products exposed to extreme temperatures or humidity. Removeable adhesives work well on items like coupon labels or promotional stickers because consumers can easily remove these labels without any damage or sticky residue.
Re-positional adhesives allow you to remove and reapply a label without ruining the label, but there is a time constraint. Re-positional adhesives can become more permanent after a while. Labels with this type of adhesive are useful if applying manually because the label can be removed if applied incorrectly and repositioned.
Adhesives are made of either acrylic or rubber. Acrylic adhesives adhere to a wide spectrum of surfaces, including glass and metal and work well on surfaces that can become wet or be exposed to extreme temperatures. Rubber-based adhesives do not adhere to the wide variety of surfaces that acrylic adhesives can, but are a cost-effective type of adhesive that has some water resistance. Rubber adhesives are not recommended for use above 70C and can bond to substrates such as rubber, Teflon, silicone and plastics like polyethylene and polypropylene.
We provide barcode labels across UAE emirates such as Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, RAK, Fujairah, Umm Al Quwain etc
SoluWise Labels has complete range of Thermal Transfer Labels, Direct Thermal Labels, Asset Labels, Aluminum Tags, Preprinted Labels etc.
SoluWise Labels provides the highest quality of labels with varied types of glues for all applications. Contact us on info@soluwiseme.com
