Facestock and Adhesive Selection
Choosing the right facestock and adhesive combination is one of the most important steps in ensuring label success. The wrong selection can lead to labels that fade, peel, or fail prematurely. The right materials, however, provide durability, clarity, and consistent performance throughout the label’s intended lifespan.
Paper Facestock
Paper is widely used for its versatility and economical cost. Uncoated paper offers a matte finish suited for handwriting or stamping. Semi-gloss paper balances cost and print quality, making shipping and general identification common. High-gloss paper provides vibrant reproduction with some moisture resistance, making it popular for retail. Specialty papers, such as textured, metallic, and fluorescent options, create unique effects while retaining cost advantages.
Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP)
Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP) offers durability and moisture resistance at a moderate cost. Clear BOPP provides oil resistance and a glossy finish. White BOPP delivers excellent opacity and printability. This material conforms well to curved surfaces, making it ideal for bottles, containers, and cylindrical products. BOPP provides an excellent balance between cost and performance for retail, food, and consumer goods.
Polyester
Polyester is outstandingly resistant to UV, chemicals, and temperature fluctuations. It is widely used in pharmaceutical, automotive, and durable goods manufacturing, where label stability and barcode readability are critical over long lifespans.
Vinyl
Vinyl excels where conformability is required, stretching over irregular surfaces, rivets, or complex shapes. It offers strong outdoor durability, resisting UV degradation and extreme temperatures, making it a go-to for outdoor equipment or long-term exposure.
Specialty Facestocks
Specialty facestocks include destructible vinyl, which provides tamper evidence by fragmenting on removal, thermal transfer stocks for durable printer output, direct thermal papers that are ribbonless but short-lived and sensitive to heat and light, and metalized films that create premium visual effects while maintaining durability.
Adhesive Options
Adhesives must also be chosen carefully. Permanent adhesives are designed for lifetime adhesion. Standard versions bond to smooth surfaces, while high-tack versions adhere to textured or low-energy surfaces. Removable adhesives allow residue-free removal but may lose removability over time, depending on surface type and environmental exposure.
Specialty Adhesives
Specialty adhesives include freezer-grade types that maintain tack in cold storage, high-temperature adhesives that resist softening during heat processes, all-temperature adhesives that perform consistently across wide ranges, and chemical-resistant adhesives that hold when exposed to oils, solvents, or cleaners.
Matching Materials to Applications
Application conditions are key to matching materials. Indoor environments allow greater flexibility. Outdoor exposure demands UV-resistant synthetic facestocks. Refrigerated and frozen storage requires both facestock and adhesive designed for cold performance.
Surface characteristics also matter. Smooth surfaces accept most adhesives, while textured or low-energy plastics require high tack.
Regulatory standards apply in many industries, such as food contact approvals and sterilization or biocompatibility requirements in healthcare.
Best Practices
Best practices include documenting requirements in detail, testing materials under real conditions, and evaluating the long-term cost of ownership. A slightly higher-priced material that prevents failures often delivers the best overall value.
Get the Correct Facestock and Adhesive Compatibility Today
Not all facestock and adhesive combinations perform equally well. Some adhesives may not bond effectively to certain facestocks or may alter appearance over time. Testing and guidance from your label manufacturer are essential.
Facestock and adhesive selection directly impact label performance, appearance, and cost. Understanding your material options and testing for your application can help you achieve lasting results. Contact us today so Whitlam’s material experts can recommend the best facestock and adhesive combinations.
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