The Type of Adhesive You Use with Your Labels Is Important
The type of label adhesive you use can vary product to product. It can also change based on the function you want your label to perform. Whether you want it to be removable, or permanently on your packaging, it is important to understand the different types of adhesive that you can use with your packaging. Selective the right type of fixative for your item is crucial for your label performance. Making this decision should be based on the type of packaging you need a label for. The environment your goods will be in and the surface that the label will be adhered to will help you decide which adhesive will be right for you. Below is a view of the different options you may consider when looking into what type of adhesive you need for your next product.
All Label Adhesives Perform Differently and Have Specific Qualities That Makes Them All A Great Option
What Are the Different Types of Glue That Are Available?
There are three main buckets that all fixatives are categorized into: permanent, removable, and repositionable. Starting here will help you decide which glue will be right for you. You need to decide which type of label needs to be on your item. There are some industries that may require a specific adhesive to be used on a specific item. For example, if you are in need of a label for a food items, the food industry requires a food-safe adhesive for food packaging. If you have a label that needs to go on a specific piece of technology, it may need to be heat resistant. When you are looking into regulations for your item, it is also to take into account the material of your surface and how long you are wanting the label to stay on your item. This may limit you to the type of adhesive you can use. There are some adhesives that may not work on curved or rough surfaces. It is important to work with a team with this type of knowledge to help you make a decision. Here at Mammoth Labels and Packaging, we are educated in the ins and out of these needs and can help you make a decision that will be best for your item. To help you further understand the different types of adhesives, we have listed the three main types below to help you better understand your options.
1. Permanent Fixatives
Permanent adhesives are strong and difficult to remove. They also usually damage the surface when trying to take off. This label adhesive is ideal for long term applications. There are some items that you may not want someone to easily remove the label. This could be food, product branding, or a caution sticker. This label adhesive is best paired with paper, plastic, or glass surfaces. This will allow the label to have the least number of issues possible when it is being applied to a smooth and clean surface.
2. Removable Fixatives
Removable adhesives can be removed without damaging the surface of an item. They do not leave a residue, and they are perfect for labels that may need to be changed later. This type of temporary labeling is perfect for pricing labels and an event sticker. With all of these things inevitable to change, it is important to have labels that will work with you to make quick changes. The last thing you want is sticky residue being left on your item and people questioning the integrity of your company. This type of adhesive works well with plastic and other smooth surfaces.
3. Repositionable Fixatives
Like a removable adhesive, repositionable adhesives also allow the label to be removed with ease. What is great about a repositionable adhesive is you can reapply the same sticker many times without damaging the quality of the label or the fixative. This type of label is perfect for an outdoor application such as bumper stickers. It is suitable for most clean and smooth surfaces.
What Type of Adhesive Is Available For A Label?
The type of adhesive you proceed with will be determined by the type of item you are labeling and the temperature of which the label will endure through its lifetime. Knowing the answers to these questions will help you decide which label adhesives are right for you and your item. The type of application process for your label will be based on the item you are applying it to. There are some surfaces and materials that may not be suitable for certain adhesive applications. Below is a list of different types of methods that you can use when applying a label.
Acrylic Based Fixatives
Acrylic based adhesives are resistant to weather, UV lights, and chemicals. This makes them great for the outdoors, on metal, plastics, and wood. We see this type of adhesive most used in a bumper sticker and in industrial labeling. This is a resin-based adhesive that is known for its durability. It can survive a variety of conditions and can bond many objects together. If you are looking for a long-lasting label, an acrylic based adhesive for your label is the way to go.
Rubber Based Fixatives
Rubber based adhesives are also very strong, but don’t usually hold up to outdoor and environmental factors as much as another adhesive would. You would typically find a rubber-based adhesive in most indoor labeling solutions. This type of adhesive is perfect for shipping labels and packaging labels. It is also perfect for attaching to uneven surfaces. Cardboard, wood, and plastics are great materials that would work with a rubber-based fixative.
Water Soluble Fixatives
Water soluble adhesives are a great solution if you have a container or packaging that needs to be recycled or needs to have its label easily removed. This type of fixative easily dissolved in water. It is ideal for glass or plastic containers that will go through recycling or a washing process after they are empty. This type of label will be able to be dissolved in water. If you need to remove it, it will not leave behind any adhesive residue.
Heat Activated Fixatives
A heat activated fixative is typically used on clothing tags and labels. This type of adhesive is ideal for items that will be washed and work many times. This type of fixative requires heat to activate and adhere to the item. It is best used for fabrics, leathers, and textiles. This type of fixative is made from a variety of thermoplastic materials such as waves, poly vinyl’s, and rubber resins.
Cold Temperature Fixatives
Opposite to a heat activated fixative, a cold temperature fixative is specially formulated to adhere in a low temperature. This is suitable for food packaging that goes in freezers or refrigerator products. It is best suited for plastics, metals, and other materials that you may find in cold storage. This type of fixative is typically water based.
Pressure Sensitive Fixatives
This type of fixative bonds with surfaces when pressure is applied. This type of fixative is used on a variety of products. It can be used for a sticker, packaging labels, item labels, and other various products. It is good to use on many surfaces such as plastics and metals. It is important to note that no solvents, water, or heat is required to activate the fixative. This may be useful if you have a flat surface that needs a label.
Why Is It Important to Consider What Type of Adhesive You Should Use?
Knowing which adhesion method you need for your item will help you create a great item with great packaging. Depending on which label adhesives you use can help improve the performance and application of the label. There are a few things to consider when deciding on which fixative to use. Your decision will depend on your material, environmental conditions, how long you need your label to last, and if you need to be able to remove it. At Mammoth, we will work with you to solve all of these needs. We understand that each item needs to be looked at individually and needs an individual solution.
Still Unsure of Which Adhesive Is Right for Your Label?
We know it can be hard to figure out which label and label fixative is right for your item and company. We are ready to work with you on finding which type of fixative is best for you. If you have any additional questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to Mammoth Labels and Packaging today. We work with a number of clients every day to find labels that is perfect for them. Our designers are here to work with you and provide you the best service to make a item that is market ready.
