Self-adhesive labels: what is important to know

How to stick labels correctly?

The label must be applied with the entire adhesive area on a clean, dry and non-greasy surface, which must not be anti-adhesive and must have a higher surface strength than the label.

There are more demanding applications where custom-made labels made from special materials and with special adhesives must be used.

How to store labels?

Labels must be stored in undamaged original packaging in covered, clean, dry and ventilated rooms at a temperature from 18°C to 22°C and relative humidity from 50% to 55%. Labels must be protected from ground moisture, radiant heat, direct sunlight, weather, dirt and mechanical damage.

How are the labels printed?

Labels can only be printed in the device for which they are intended. Printing labels using another method may cause poor quality, malfunctioning printing or damage to the printing device! In a laser printer, never print labels other than those intended for laser printing – their adhesive is resistant to the high temperature inside the printer.

In the case of printing sheet labels in laser devices, the instructions of the printer manufacturer must be followed. The device must be set up to print labels, and the optimal sheet feeding method must be selected.

What are the most common types of labels?

Roll labels:

Self-adhesive labels on a roll are printed in special label printers. According to the printing method, labels are divided into two basic types:

Thermal labels are printed without the use of additional consumables using the direct thermal printing method. The motif on the label is created by heating and darkening the heat-sensitive layer. Thermal labels are suitable for shorter periods of use because print legibility deteriorates over time due to external influences.

Thermal transfer labels are printed using a thermal transfer ribbon from which the ink is transferred to the label by heating the print head in the printer (thermal transfer). These labels are used wherever longer label durability and higher resistance compared to direct thermal is required. 

Label rolls are used in warehouses, production processes, logistics and in the shop to label products and goods.

Sheet labels:

Self-adhesive labels on a sheet are suitable for printing in office printers. You may also encounter print labels, sheet labels or A4 labels. On a standard size page, usually A4, different label sizes are pre-cut.

Depending on the type of material, they are suitable for laser print, ink print or both. 

Sheet labels are used in offices, but also in commerce and production processes.

Price gun labels:

The self-adhesive labels are printed using price guns. They are also called price labels or marker labels. The dimensions and shapes of the price gun labels are standardized. Depending on their design, they can be used in different types of price guns.

In the past, these labels were mostly used in stores to mark goods with prices, but today they are most commonly used in manufacturing processes to mark products with various codes or dates.