Labels are an integral part of any industry, whether they be labels meant to catch your eye, hazard warnings meant to keep people away or barcodes meant to identify the product. Choosing the wrong label can lead to costly reprints at best and lost, damaged or hazardous products at worst, so it’s important to choose the correct one the first time. However, with several options for label material, adhesive, printing method, shape, size and more, choosing the right label can seem like a daunting task. To keep yourself from being overwhelmed, it’s important to understand your options - and more importantly, to know what it is you need.

Label Expectations

When choosing your label specifications, the first thing to consider is what you need your label to do. Different labels have different levels of durability, so it’s important to know what environment you’ll be subjecting it to. Consider these factors:

• Temperature: The temperature a label is exposed to can affect the lifespan of the print and the adhesive’s ability to adhere. In low enough temperatures, standard adhesive won’t stick at all, while high temperatures can fade print and cause adhesive to cure and leave behind residue.

• Water: Moisture is another environmental factor that can degrade your label. Water can cause label print to run, loosen adhesive, and even cause paper labels to crumble.

• Dirt: Depending on your label’s purpose, it may be exposed to dirt, grease, oil or other contaminants. These can affect a label’s readability and degrade it faster.

• Expectancy: Nothing lasts forever, but not all labels need to. Depending on the product, you may need a label that lasts a few months or for several years. Knowing how long you need a single label to last and preparing accordingly can save you both time and money in the long run.

• Surface: Some surfaces are easier to adhere to than others. In general, an unclean or uneven surface won’t be as easy to adhere to as a clean, smooth one. Knowing what surfaces your label will need to stick to will allow you to adjust accordingly.

Printing Methods

Now that you know what you need from your label, you can begin going through your options. First, you’ll need to choose which printing method you want to use. Different methods produce different results, so make sure to know how each one works before making a choice:

• Direct Thermal Printing: Direct thermal printing uses labels with a heat-reactive chemical coating on the face. A thermal printhead applies heat to the label in the shape of the print, which turns the material black. Direct thermal printing doesn’t require ink, toner, ribbons, or much maintenance. However, the print fades over time, doesn’t hold up well to heat and doesn’t come in color.

• Thermal Transfer Printing: Thermal transfer printing uses a wax, wax-resin, or resin ribbon. The print is punched out of the material and directly onto the label. Thermal transfer is durable, won’t fade with time and comes in both black and white and in color. They do, however, require more maintenance, and having the replace the ribbon means they’re generally more expensive.

• Inkjet: Inkjet printing uses thousands of ink droplets to print labels. They’re capable of printing in black and white or in color, and can print both words and detailed images. However, the cartridges need to be replaced over time, and most inkjet ink can’t withstand water.

• Laser: Laser printers work by melting a toner powder onto the label. They print quickly and are capable of printing in black and white and in color. Similarly to inkjet printers, however, the toner cartridges need to be replaced over time.

Materials

Next, you need to choose the material your label will be printed on. Which materials are available to you may be dependent on your printing method, but there are several common options:

• Paper: Paper labels are one of the most common label types. They’re relatively easy to read, but don’t hold up well to extreme temperatures, moisture or other contaminants. They also tear easily. They’re available in matte, which allows for higher readability, or gloss, which allows smaller images to be sharper.

• Polypropylene: Polypropylene is a synthetic material with a slight stretch. Labels made with this material are water-resistant, although not fully waterproof, and hold up to extreme temperatures better than a paper label. They also do not tear easily, unless they’re nicked.

• Polyester: Polyester labels are the most durable of the label stock types. They are extremely tear-resistant unless nicked, hold up in extreme temperatures and are resistant to water, grease and oil. They come in four finishes: clear, silver, white gloss and white matte.

Adhesive

Adhesive type also makes a difference in your label. There are several varieties to choose from, each suited to a different level of durability:

• Permanent: As the name implies, permanent adhesive is meant to bond to a surface as long as the label holds up. It’s the most common type of adhesive, used on a variety of surfaces.

• High Tack: High tack adhesive is an even stronger variant of permanent adhesive, meant to bond to uneven or unclean surfaces.

• Removable: If you’ve ever peeled a sticker off a piece of fruit, then you’re somewhat familiar with removable adhesive. It’s designed to peel away cleanly from whatever surface the label is applied to, without tearing or leaving residue. However, if left too long or in too high a temperature, removable adhesive will cure and leave residue behind.

• Freezer: Freezer adhesive, also known as all-temp adhesive, is designed to withstand both heat and cold.

Finishing Touches

Once you’ve chosen the material, adhesive, and printing method for your label, the only thing left is to decide are the aesthetic details. Are you printing barcodes or product labels? What size do you need? Do you need color or will black and white suffice? Do you want an oval, a rectangle or a custom shape? These things don’t necessarily determine your label’s durability, but they do determine the impact your label leaves on those who see it.

No matter your label needs, Barcode Factory has you covered. We offer a wide variety of blank labels, as well as custom labels made to your specifications. No matter the print type, material, adhesive, shape, size or color, we’ll do our best to find your solution. Contact us today to get a quote on your custom order, or browse our selection of in-stock blank labels.