It’s a very versatile solution, and it’s one of the simplest and most popular ways to label almost any kind of item, from wine bottles and food containers, to cosmetics and household cleaning products.
Beverages, Cans & Bottle Labels
Adhesive Labels
All there is to know about adhesivesThe Label Factory experts know the ins-and-outs of adhesives, and they’d love to help you with your job. Simply chat to our technical experts about your needs. They’re happy to share their vast label knowledge with you.Get a QuoteWhat’s the best adhesive label for your job?
03With so many different kinds of adhesive labels, there’s always a solution for your product. And there’s no need to worry about your bottle or container design. Adhesive labels work well on contoured surfaces and even squeezable containers. The Label Factory has the expertise to advise you on all your options. And they’ll begin with questions on how and where your label is being applied.
That’s because each type of label glue or adhesive is specially designed to perform best in certain conditions. What will your label be stuck to? Is it glass or plastic? Will it be applied when the bottle is dry or wet? Will it go into an ice bucket, be kept in a fridge or stored at high room temperatures? Will it be packed and shipped in a way that the labelled items are in contact with each other? Do you want the label to be permanent, or easily removable or able to be repositioned?
How adhesives work
The sticky underside of your label is where the adhesive is applied. Some need pressure to activate the glue, and this begins a bonding process. It’s important that we know how long you want your labelled product to last, so we can choose the right adhesive that ensures the label sticks and remains stuck.
The Label Factory offers a wide range of adhesives for all conditions and requirements. So just let us know your needs, and we’ll be pleased to advise on the right choice for your labels. It may be one of the solutions below. And remember, our dedicated professionals welcome absolutely all questions!
Hot melt adhesives
01Hot melt adhesives
These are mostly rubber-based glues with a high initial tack (stickability). Applying pressure to this kind of adhesive when it’s in contact with a surface enables it to begin a curing process, and it grips the surface.
Hot melt adhesives are softer than, for instance, acrylic adhesives. So they can bleed and spread into rough surfaces like recycled cardboard to give excellent ‘adhesion’ on non-smooth surfaces. Being rubber based, their resistance to high temperatures and UV light is low, and they should not be used on products that will be outside for long periods of time.
Acrylic adhesives
02Acrylic adhesives
These have a different chemical make-up to hot melt adhesives, and they have good UV light and heat resistant properties. When pressure is applied to the adhesive in contact with a surface, it has a lower initial tack compared to a hot melt glue. But the adhesion strengthens to a high level over the following 24 hours.
Acrylic adhesives are not as soft as the hot melt versions, so they do not perform as well on rough surfaces like recycled cardboard. Because of their tougher composition, acrylic adhesives are more user friendly because they have less of tendency to flow outside the edges of the label.
Removable adhesives
03Removable adhesives
This solution may provide flexibility, depending on your needs. Removable adhesives have enough grip to stick to a surface when applied. But the adhesives do not strengthen their level of adhesion over time, so you may be able to remove or reposition the label.
This will depend on the kind of surface and the temperature range the label is exposed to. Our professional Label Factory team recommends a trial to discover how suitable this adhesive solution is for your product.
Temperature and adhesive labels
Adhesives have a minimum application temperature at which the glue still has enough tack to stick well to a surface. For a chiller adhesive, this means the label will stick if it’s applied to a surface not under 4°C. A freezer adhesive can usually be applied to a surface that is -18°C to 0°C.
Adhesives also have a service temperature range in which they will remain stuck on to a surface, and the glue will not break down.
Once you apply a label and give it time to cure (24 hours is the optimum time) you can expect it to remain stuck on as long as the surface temperature remains within a specified range. For example, a chiller adhesive with a minimum application temperature of +4°C and a service range of -30°C to +70°C will be best suited to an application where the label is applied to a chilled product that’s then frozen.