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Labels

Browse roll labels, vinyl labels, paper labels, thermal labels and printed label options for product identification, branding and dispatch. Every item is contact for price. 64 products are listed in this range.

Label specification guide

Match label construction to the pack, application and end-of-life route.

A label has to identify and decorate the pack while remaining compatible with the container surface, product, application method, storage and end-of-life strategy. Material names such as paper, BOPP, PET or vinyl describe only part of the construction; face stock, adhesive, ink, coating, laminate and release liner should be considered separately.

Surface, adhesive and environment

Confirm the container material, surface energy, shape, squeeze behaviour, texture and available label panel. State whether application is to a dry, wet, cold, warm or contaminated surface and whether the pack will face refrigeration, freezing, condensation, chemicals, oils, abrasion, sunlight or repeated handling. Adhesive selection and label dimensions should be trialled on the final container.

Printing and automatic application

For roll labels, provide artwork, finished size and shape, winding direction, core, roll diameter, gap, web width and registration requirements. Automatic labellers may also need the label pitch, backing-paper strength and dispensing behaviour. Thermal printing requires the correct material, ribbon combination where used, printer settings and durability target.

Labels in an environmental packaging assessment

The label can affect sorting, washing or reprocessing of the main pack, depending on its size, density, material, adhesive and coverage. A label described as recyclable does not by itself prove that the labelled bottle, pouch or other pack will follow the intended route. Conversely, reducing label area or choosing a compatible adhesive may be more relevant than changing only the face stock. The release liner is a separate waste stream and should be included in procurement and operational planning.

Approval itemInformation to record
ContainerMaterial, colour, shape, label panel, surface treatment and condition at application.
Label constructionFace stock, adhesive, inks, coating or laminate, liner and total dimensions.
ArtworkApproved file, colours, variable data, barcode grade or legibility requirement.
Roll formatWinding, core, maximum diameter, web width, gap and quantity per roll.
Use environmentTemperature, moisture, chemicals, abrasion, light and expected life.
Claim evidenceScope and date of any material, recycled-content or recycling compatibility statement.

Failure modes, changeover and verification

Label trials should look for edge lift, flagging, bubbles, wrinkles, skew, poor overlap, adhesive ooze, print damage and movement after conditioning. On automatic equipment, record sensor performance, dispense position, container spacing, wipe-down or roll-on pressure and output. Include the smallest and largest label and pack formats in the changeover review and confirm that rolls can be loaded and threaded safely.

Where variable information is printed, define the data source, code position, contrast and verification method. Barcodes and machine-readable codes should be checked on the final material and curvature, not only on a flat artwork proof. If a pressure-sensitive label cannot meet the use environment or end-of-life strategy, alternatives may include direct print, sleeve, in-mould decoration or a different label construction, subject to the same evidence and line-compatibility review.

See the custom roll label example

See the custom roll label example, compare the relevant bottle or pouch, and use the evidence guide for claim wording and the compatibility guide for trials.

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Complete-pack label assessment

Design labels for recycling compatibility without compromising application.

The label is an interface between brand, container and production line. A change intended to support recyclable packaging materials must therefore be assessed for separation or washing behaviour, while still meeting adhesion, print, coding and automatic application requirements.

Label variableEvidence or measurementPack and line consequence
Face stockMaterial, density, thickness, coating and opacityAffects detection, separation, stiffness, print and dispensing
AdhesiveChemistry, coat weight, application temperature and any verified wash behaviourControls initial tack, edge lift, residue and reprocessing interaction
Coverage and shapeArea, overlap, panel position and container curvatureCan affect sorting, bottle deformation, bubbles and scanner visibility
Ink and protectionInk system, varnish or laminate, abrasion and chemical resistanceControls durability and adds to the complete material structure
Release linerMaterial, roll yield and available collection routeCreates a separate production waste stream even when it does not reach the consumer

Run two linked approvals

The first approval is operational: the label must dispense, register, adhere and remain legible through the agreed conditions. The second is evidential: any recycling, recycled-content or material statement must be supported for the exact label and complete pack. Passing one approval does not prove the other.

For automatic application, retain the finished roll specification, winding diagram, core, maximum diameter, web width, pitch, gap and liner strength. For the end-of-life file, retain the face-stock and adhesive declarations, coverage calculation where relevant, test report scope and review date. A supplier substitution should trigger both checks.

Buyer questions about labels and recycling

Can a recyclable label prove that the labelled pack is recyclable?

No. The complete result depends on the container, label material, size, density, adhesive, ink, coating, coverage and the relevant sorting and reprocessing route. The claim scope must be explicit.

Is a paper label always preferable on a plastic bottle?

Not automatically. Adhesion, moisture resistance, product use, wash behaviour, fibre release, label coverage and the target recycling process all matter. Test the exact construction on the final bottle.

What evidence is needed for a wash-off or recycling-compatible adhesive statement?

Obtain a current supplier declaration or test report identifying the adhesive, face stock, container material, test method, conditions, result, product scope and issue date.

Will a thinner label run on the same automatic labeller?

It may require different tension, peel plate, sensor, wipe-down and web-handling settings. Trial the final roll construction, winding, liner and gap at the intended output before approval.

Custom roll label exampleBottle surfaces and formatsPouch structuresEnvironmental claims evidence
Send a label and container sampleSearch label records
Label-system guidance

Specify face stock, adhesive, roll format and complete-pack interaction.

Application performance and recycling compatibility depend on the final container, surface, adhesive, coverage, print and use environment. Confirm the label construction and labeller requirements together.

Labels and recycling compatibilityComplete-pack recyclabilityLabel compatibility testingLabelling trial and approvalLabel quotation inputs
Send a label and container briefBrowse label products
Buyer questions

More questions about label adhesion and automatic application

Label performance depends on the complete construction, the pack surface, the environment and the applicator roll specification.

What causes labels to lift, wrinkle or flag after application?

Common factors include surface contamination, condensation, unsuitable adhesive, container taper or flex, label geometry, temperature, poor wipe-down and web misalignment. The time at which the defect appears helps separate application and storage causes.

Use the label selection questions to structure the trial.

How do bottle surface, product spill and storage temperature affect adhesive choice?

Surface energy, roughness, moisture, oils, chemicals and temperature influence adhesive wet-out and long-term hold. Product residue around the label panel can turn an acceptable laboratory result into a production failure.

Test the exact pack under representative filling and storage conditions.

Which roll details are required for an automatic labeller?

Provide label and web dimensions, gap, liner, core, maximum roll diameter, unwind direction, leading edge and print orientation. Transparent constructions may require a compatible sensor method.

Confirm the specification with the actual applicator before the print order.

Label material and adhesive selectionLabels and recycling compatibilityLabel fault troubleshooting
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Identification and traceability

Approve the label, variable code and inspection method as one line process.

Face stock and adhesive selection must be combined with artwork, variable information, application geometry, storage conditions and code verification.

Why does a good code fail on some packs?

Surface coating, contamination, condensation, curvature, movement and exposure can change adhesion or ink performance. Test the actual pack and production environment.

How should a code position be chosen?

Use a stable, accessible area that avoids seams, folds, seals and opening features and can be presented consistently to the printer and inspection device.

Can coding and label choices affect recycling?

Yes. Face stock, adhesive, ink, coverage and consumer removal can affect the complete-pack assessment. Review the actual combination.

Print and coding compatibilityLabel material and adhesive questionsLabel recycling compatibilityLine integration
Send a label and code briefBrowse label products

Separate label construction from recycling and disposal wording.

The face stock, adhesive, ink, coating, coverage and application quality can affect the complete-pack recycling assessment. The printed disposal instruction is a separate controlled claim that must match the exact pack, intended market and current evidence.

Does printing a recycling symbol make the labelled pack recyclable?

No. The symbol does not change the physical construction or collection route. Assess the container, closure, label, adhesive and residue as a complete system.

When should disposal artwork be reviewed?

Review it when the pack material, colour, label size, adhesive, closure, target market, collection route or assessment method changes.

Recycling labels and disposal instructionsLabel recycling compatibilityPrint and coding compatibility