Label Paper FAQs. Let’s Talk About the Differences
One of the most important aspects of quality printing is the label paper, also called face stock. Label paper creates the structure that holds on to the permanent adhesives, print and coatings. While we call it “paper,” it’s actually made of a range of natural and synthetic materials.
So, given the wide range of label papers available, how do you know which one is right for you? The short answer is that it varies based on the type of label printer you’re using.
How Do Label Paper Types Affect Performance?
Face stock is just one part of high-quality pressure sensitive label paper.
When you choose labels for your products, you also need to select the right adhesive, backing, printing and coatings. Each of these choices influence performance. Full sheet labels with one kind of adhesive may be great for removable applications, but could lead to major trouble when used as a shipping label.
Your choice of face stock should be based on the four main factors for label performance.
Temperature
Service temperature is the range of temperatures the label can handle without separating from the container. Application temperature is usually quoted as the minimum temperature needed for the label to stick to the container. While this is mostly dependent on adhesive flexibility, some label paper types become brittle at low temperatures.
Moisture
Moisture exposure varies depending on the environment. Products stored outdoors need to survive rain and snow, while cold beverages and shower products need to survive full immersion.
Refrigerated and frozen products usually don’t get soaked, but they still need to deal with frost and condensation. With the right coatings, you can improve the moisture resistance of your labels. However, the edges of the label are always vulnerable to exposure, making face stock choice a critical factor for performance.
Chemical Resistance
Most claims of chemical resistance are based on testing with common cleaning chemicals, like all-purpose cleaners, strong solvents and acids. That means a chemical-resistant face stock won’t dissolve, whether it’s in an industrial environment or it gets some overspray when a worker is cleaning shelves in a store.
If you want to learn more about chemical resistance, read our blog entry “Do You Need Durable Labels? It’s Time to Find Out.”
Environmental Impact
The impact of your labels comes from two sources: manufacturing and recycling.
Manufacturing requires energy and resources. Generally speaking, using recycled and sustainable resources lowers both material consumption and energy use during production.
Recycling should consider real world access and habits. Consumers can’t be relied upon to remove labels, so there’s more chance of having labels recycled if they’re compatible with container recycling. Likewise, while some label paper types are recyclable, that doesn’t mean facilities that support recycling are readily available.
Choosing the right custom label paper can be difficult – especially for important applications like address labels or pharmaceutical labels.The great thing about pressure-sensitive labeling systems is their self-contained nature. If you change your labels’ face stock, our label applicators will still be able to apply them.
Types of Label Paper
Matte Paper
Matte paper has a non-glossy finish, so it’s great for applications that require a professional look. It’s also common for mailing labels.
Glossy Labels
This paper has a shiny finish that adds pop to color. It’s ideal for marketing labels where visual appeal is important.
Glossy Clear Labels
Glossy label stickers are made of clear plastic. If the contents of your container are important for consumers to see, using clear labels can help them do so no matter what your label size is.
Semi-Gloss Paper
This paper offers a balance between matte paper and glossy label sheets. There is still some shine, but the glare is reduced. It’s used for a variety of applications in product labeling.
Thermal Paper
Thermal paper has a heat-sensitive layer that darkens when exposed to heat. This is the ideal paper for barcode labels and shipping labels because thermal labels don’t smudge easily. These labels require a special thermal printer and can’t be printed with standard matte inkjet printers or laser printers.
Water-Resistant Paper
Water-resistant labels are treated to withstand exposure to moisture, making them ideal for outdoor applications and refrigerated goods.
Removable Paper
Self-adhesive removable label paper is designed to attach securely but also be easily removed without leaving behind any residue.
Label Paper Materials
Paper
By itself, paper can’t handle exposure to moisture, chemicals, extreme temperatures or abrasion. However, coatings can improve performance in these areas, particularly moisture resistance. Direct thermal printing is only compatible with paper face stock.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) divides paper products into several categories, including partially and fully sustainable, as well as different ratios of new and recycled paper. “Tree free” papers use a base made from alternative sources of cellulose. These fast-growing sources, including sugar cane, bamboo and cotton, reduce ecological impact.
Stone Paper
Stone paper is made by mixing calcium carbonate, the main mineral in limestone, and polyethylene (PE). Most printable sticker paper available today uses a mix of 40% calcium and 60% PE. The result is a waterproof, durable face stock.
Although this paper is technically recyclable, availability of recycling is almost non-existent. Manufacturing uses less water than pure plastic and virgin paper labels. Stone paper’s water resistance makes it a great alternative to pure plastic labels. In all other respects, its performance is similar to paper.
Polypropylene (PP)
The most popular label paper based on polypropylene is Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPP). This durable film is available in white, transparent and metallic versions, and it’s compatible with a wide range of finishes and sheet sizes.
It’s also non-toxic and has great resistance to moisture and chemicals. BOPP is commonly used on beverage and medical containers. While labels usually need to be separated or burned off of containers before recycling, BOPP can be recycled with HDPE plastic.
Depending on the application, polypropylene labels can handle between 6 months and two years of outdoor exposure. While this is fine for short term outdoor use, it isn’t enough to guarantee warning labels are legible for the product’s lifetime.
Polylactic Acid (PLA)
PLA is a type of polyester, but it doesn’t have many of the properties of standard polyester labels. PLA is made from a variety of renewable resources, including corn starch and sugar cane.
Unlike regular polyester, it’s also biodegradable in the right conditions. If it’s mixed in compost, PLA labels can break down in as little as two months. However, once they’re in a landfill, they can take up to a century to decompose. Pure PLA is brittle at room temperature, but it can be blended with other chemicals to form durable, flexible face stock. Overall, performance is almost identical to BOPP.
Polyester (PET)
PET offers excellent resistance to heat, tearing, abrasion and chemical exposure. Polyester is a great choice for products stored outdoors. However, it’s significantly more expensive than polypropylene.
This is the most popular label paper for products subject to extreme temperatures and moisture exposure. PET is recyclable, but only if it’s separated from the container, and is made from recycled polyester, which uses significantly less energy to make than virgin plastic.
Vinyl (PVC)
Vinyl sticker paper offers better outdoor performance than polyester, but it’s also more expensive. Its use on packaging is mostly limited to warning labels on non-consumable products, like batteries and secondary chemical containers.
PVC labels can be recycled with PVC bottles, but consumer level PVC recycling is still far behind other plastics.
Get the Right Equipment for Your Labels
No matter which pressure sensitive labels you end up with, we have the equipment you need to get them on your containers. If you’re looking for a better labeling solution, contact us to connect with your nearest CTM Labeling distributor. They’ll evaluate your labeling needs and help you select a system that works with your production environment.
