| While product labels are often the least expensive | | | | An aesthetically pleasing label can be designed that will |
| design components and the last items considered | | | | last the life of a product even in the most demanding |
| when introducing a new product, product labels have a | | | | applications. However, it is critical to identify all the |
| significant impact on a product's market appeal and | | | | variables that a label will encounter to ensure the |
| merchandising. Also, the product label can cause major | | | | proper choice of materials, construction and application |
| headaches and unnecessary costs for the OEM | | | | techniques. |
| manufacturer - if the label design and construction are | | | | The following are some critical factors: Product |
| not properly matched to the customer's application | | | | Surface |
| requirements. | | | | The type of material and condition of the surface that |
| Consider the following examples: An elevator | | | | the label adheres to is one of the most important |
| manufacturer changed from enamel paint to a powder | | | | factors in selecting the right label construction. For |
| coated paint after the product has been on the market | | | | example, powder coated paints are a growing |
| for several months. Subsequently, their end customers | | | | alternative to conventionally painting metal surfaces. |
| experienced an adhesion failure of its labels not | | | | However, from an adhesion standpoint, powder |
| knowing that powder coated paints can be a bonding | | | | coated parts are a much more difficult surface on |
| challenge. The company had to shut down their | | | | which to adhere the label. Where manufacturers |
| process and implement expensive field rework. | | | | switch from standard enamel paints to powder coated |
| Unfortunately, the label manufacturer was not | | | | paints, and don't change the label -- poor bonding and |
| consulted when the company switched to its powder | | | | costly revisions can result. |
| coating process. In the end, a new label construction | | | | Naturally, the surface should be as clean as possible |
| with a more aggressive adhesive solved the problem. | | | | before applying a label. However, in manufacturing |
| A shipping company utilizes labels adhered to their | | | | processes where a completely clean bonding surface |
| trailers for critical tracking of inventory in transit. The | | | | is not practical or economic, it is possible to use special |
| labels were applied at a freezing temperature, which | | | | aggressive adhesive systems that will bond even |
| never gave the pressure sensitive adhesive label a | | | | under such conditions. |
| chance to "wet-out" and properly bond on the | | | | Today, many OEM's are switching to more economical |
| substrate. Consequently, labels fell off in-transit, creating | | | | grade plastics, such as polyethylene or polypropylene |
| delays and additional shipping costs. | | | | for their product. These lower surface energy plastics |
| For many product manufacturers, their labels may not | | | | are much more difficult to adhere to than historical |
| be recognized as a critical component. However, most | | | | molded plastics, such as polyester, polycarbonate and |
| companies expect their labels to last for the life of their | | | | PVC. So, it is vital that the label supplier selects an |
| product to ensure that the critical information on the | | | | adhesive formulated to bond to these new materials. |
| label is available to their customers | | | | Temperature The expected temperature range and |
| Durable Labels | | | | the amount of time the product is exposed to these |
| Durable Performance Labels or Harsh Environment | | | | temperatures are critical factors in determining label |
| Labels from 3M withstand a wide range of | | | | construction. High temperatures can cause some |
| environmental conditions over the product life. | | | | adhesives to soften and "flow." These conditions can |
| According to Peter Garin, manager at 3M Graphic | | | | cause the label to lift, slip, or move. The label |
| Market Center, if a missing or damaged product label | | | | substrates and inks also must withstand the |
| can cause "potential harm to the consumer, the | | | | temperature extremes. For example, in particularly high |
| environment or the manufacturer," then Durable Labels | | | | temperature applications where lower temperature film |
| using 3M face stock and adhesives should be | | | | labels are not suitable, a high temperature polyester |
| considered for that product. Durable Labels using 3M | | | | and/or polyimide label face stock may be needed for |
| materials are most commonly used for these types of | | | | its dimensional stability. |
| applications: | | | | When applying a label, proper surface temperature is |
| - Warning Labels - inform the consumer of potential | | | | important for ultimate bonding. When the surface is |
| harm that can result while using or misusing the | | | | warm, the pressure sensitive adhesive will flow more |
| product. | | | | easily, providing a more intimate contact with the |
| - Critical Information Labels - can include information on | | | | surface. The result is a faster and stronger bond. |
| emissions, schematics, or other vital information for the | | | | Conversely, applying a label at a temperature below |
| operation or use of the product. Specific grade and | | | | 50˚ F can result in poor bond strength, because |
| mixture of recommended fuel is considered critical | | | | the label's pressure sensitive adhesive may be too firm |
| information. | | | | to bond to the substrate. |
| - Tracking Labels - provide serial numbers, bar coding, | | | | UV Exposure |
| lot numbers, date of manufacture and model numbers | | | | UV light can break down adhesives, inks and the |
| that help track, isolate and identify product when | | | | substrates, which can destroy both the appearance |
| potential defects are found. | | | | and performance of the label. A product that will see |
| - Laboratory and Pharmaceutical Labels Laboratories | | | | extended exposure to sunlight should utilize UV |
| use harsh cleaning solvents that need to be labeled, | | | | resistant inks and an acrylic adhesive system. Rubber |
| and proper identification of specimens or samples is | | | | based adhesives, while great for its bonding and |
| critical. For example, blood bags need to be properly | | | | sealing, can break down from UV light. |
| labeled, and it is absolutely vital that the label stay on | | | | Exposure to Chemicals Label face stocks, adhesives, |
| the bag. "Even when technical product information is | | | | and inks have varying degrees of chemical resistance, |
| not critical to the application, durable labels may be the | | | | according to the type and grade of material. It is |
| best choice for branding, merchandising, or product | | | | important to understand what chemicals the product |
| displays on retail and distributor shelves," according to | | | | will see during its expected life and the degree of |
| Darrell Wilk, president of Ace Label Systems, a | | | | chemical exposure. For example, will the label be |
| manufacturer of custom printed labels. Company and | | | | submerged for long periods of time, or will it just be |
| product branding are essential to the success of many | | | | exposed to splash? The type of solvent or chemical is |
| products. | | | | a critical factor as well. Gasoline is one of the more |
| So, maintaining the company's logo and product image | | | | common chemicals that labels encounter, and it |
| for as long as that product is in use can be a key | | | | requires special adhesives and materials, depending on |
| factor in the selection of the label material and | | | | the level of exposure. |
| construction. Furthermore, advanced labeling | | | | Consult your Supplier |
| technology can be used to make it difficult for | | | | The most critical factor in label selection for a harsh |
| competitors to copy a company's logo and provide | | | | environment application is to involve your supplier early |
| counterfeit traceability. The appearance and overall | | | | in your design process. A knowledgeable supplier who |
| condition of the labels on retail shelves has a huge | | | | fully understands your product application will be in the |
| impact on consumers. "Go to a home improvement | | | | best position to provide you with a label design which |
| do-it-yourself warehouse and look at all the products | | | | meets your appearance and performance |
| that have labels with bubbles or wrinkles. Many | | | | requirements. |
| shoppers make judgments about a product's quality | | | | Considering key labeling factors in your product design |
| based on the appearance of the labels. Labels with | | | | process can also ultimately save valuable time and |
| poor aesthetics, bubbles or winkles can result in lost | | | | money as well as contribute to the marketing success |
| sales," said Peter Garin. | | | | of your product. |