Label Adhesives Explained: What You Should Actually Be Using
Not all labels stick the same. And choosing the wrong adhesive is one of the most common mistakes businesses make.
Peeling corners. Labels falling off in the freezer. Residue left behind. Barcodes that won’t scan because the label lifted.
The material matters. The printer matters. But the adhesive? That’s what determines whether your label actually performs.
Here’s the quick breakdown:
Permanent – Designed to stay put
Removable – Peels clean without residue
Freezer – Built for cold storage
Ultra Aggressive – Bonds to rough or textured surfaces
Tamper-Evident – Shows visible damage if removed
Cryogenic – Survives extreme lab temperatures
Before we get into the details, here’s the simple comparison…
Use this as your fast decision guide.
Permanent Labels: The Standard for Long-Term Use
Permanent adhesive is exactly what it sounds like. Once applied, it bonds and stays there.
When you should use it:
Shipping labels
Product packaging
Warehouse barcode labels
Asset tracking
Compliance and warning labels
If your label is meant to stay on for the life of the product, this is your default choice.
Removable Labels: Clean Removal Without the Mess
Removable adhesive gives you holding power without long-term commitment.
When you should use it:
Retail pricing
Promotional labels
Inventory rotation
Reusable bins or containers
Event labeling
It sticks well during handling but peels off cleanly when needed.
Freezer Labels: Designed for Cold Storage
Standard adhesives can stiffen and fail in freezing environments. Freezer-grade adhesive is formulated to stay flexible and bonded in cold conditions.
When you should use it:
Food packaging
Meal prep containers
Cold storage warehouses
Refrigerated medical products
Important detail:
Most freezer labels should be applied before freezing unless they are specifically rated for frozen application.
Ultra Aggressive Labels: For Rough and Tough Surfaces
Ultra aggressive adhesive is built to bond to surfaces that standard adhesives struggle with.
When you should use it:
Corrugated cardboard
Industrial equipment
Warehouse racking
Textured or recycled materials
If labels are lifting at the edges or falling off rough materials, this is usually the fix.
Tamper-Evident Labels: Built-In Security
Tamper-evident adhesives are designed to show visible damage or leave a pattern if someone attempts to remove them.
When you should use it:
Pharmaceutical packaging
Electronics
Warranty seals
Compliance packaging
If the label is meant to act as a security measure, standard permanent adhesive is not enough.
Cryogenic Labels: Extreme Cold Requires a Different Adhesive
Cryogenic adhesive is engineered for ultra-low temperatures. We’re talking deep freezers and lab environments.
When you should use it:
Laboratory vials
Biotech storage
Blood banks
Research facilities
Freezer adhesive and cryogenic adhesive are not interchangeable. If you are working in true ultra-low environments, you need adhesive rated for it.
So Which One Should You Choose?
If your label needs to:
Stay on permanently → Permanent
Come off cleanly → Removable
Handle freezer temps → Freezer
Stick to rough materials → Ultra Aggressive
Show visible tampering → Tamper-Evident
Survive extreme lab cold → Cryogenic
Need help choosing?
If you are ordering in bulk or not completely sure which adhesive matches your application, talk to our label experts today. We will help you get it right the first time.
Contact us here or fill out the quick form below!