Types of label adhesives
The adhesive is a bond that creates a bond between the label and the surface on which the label is applied. It provides the right level of tack necessary to attach the label to a specific surface. In order for the label to adhere effectively to the product, its housing or packaging, it becomes necessary to ensure the right choice of adhesive layer.
There are different types of adhesives on the market that provide different strength – durable, removable, suitable for use at low and high temperatures, and universal adhesives designed for different environmental conditions. Each binder variety has various properties and uses.
Three categories of adhesives
The most general classification divides adhesives into three categories. The first one is rubber adhesives, which are characterized by a high level of adhesion. The strength of their attachment is proven by the fact that they also cope well with demanding surfaces. Uneven, rough structure, powder coated substrate or greasy surface are not a major problem for them. The second category of adhesives are acrylic adhesives. A characteristic feature of this type of binders is high resistance to temperatures, chemicals, as well as UV radiation. Acrylic adhesives also show the ability to attach labels on curved substrates and surfaces made of materials such as plastics or glass. The third group of adhesives are silicone adhesives – resistant to high temperatures, with good adhesion and removable from a given surface.
What should be considered when choosing an adhesive?
The type of particular adhesive depends on several factors. What should be considered when choosing an adhesive? First, let’s think about the conditions under which our label will be applied. In other words – what conditions must the adhesive withstand? Will the environment around the label have a high level of humidity? Maybe the label will be exposed to sunlight or high temperatures? Will the label come in contact with dirt, greasy substances or dust? Temperature, atmospheric conditions, dirt, chemicals, water – all these factors significantly affect the choice of adhesive.
Durability of application
Another issue to look at is durability of application. Do we want the label to be permanently attached to a product, or on the contrary – do we want it to be easily removed from the surface at any time? Or maybe our goal is to provide the possibility of repeatedly sticking and removing the sticker? Removable, durable labels and those that can be applied several times require glue with different properties. Wrong selection of adhesive means that the label does not fulfill its task – it does not stick to the surface permanently or causes difficulties during removal. This in turn can result in damage to the surface or unwanted adhesive residue.
Surface type
The type of surface to which the label will be attached is another element that influences the choice of binder. Think about what kind of surface the label will stick to – paper, plastic, rubber, polyester, glass or maybe metal? The texture of the substrate also has an effect on the type of adhesive.
A surface that is rough or has a higher humidity is much more demanding than smooth or dry one. Other issues to look out for are: temperature immediately after the label has been attached to the substrate, time needed to achieve maximum adhesion, and the consistency (or lack) of the adhesive.
