The manufacturer can warrant the claimed labels’ features and durability only if the necessary conditions for their transportation, storage, and application are met. No matter how high-quality self-adhesive labels are, their improper use can affect the overall labels’ look and performance.
There was a sample when the labels badly adhered to the container although they were designed by a reputed manufacturer and made of good self-adhesive material. The reason was that the labels adhered to dusty, dirty canisters with an uneven surface that had been stored in the cold in the yard of the warehouse for a long time.
In order to avoid similar misunderstandings and losses resulting from the above-mentioned practices, please, follow our advice.
Proper Label Storage: Rules and Regulations You Should Know
When ordering labels, be sure to discuss with the manufacturer the specifics of the label as to the material, shape, storage, packaging lifetime as well as the particulars of the product for which the labels are intended. This allows you to select the best possible labeling materials (conventional or special) such as those suitable materials for harsh chemicals, ribbed or fluffy surfaces, or ultra-low temperatures.
Do not expose label rolls to direct sunlight or heat. It is recommended to store self-adhesive labels at a temperature between 15–25°C (10–18°C for plastic labels) and at 40% –55% relative humidity, or as close to this as possible.
Label storage at temperatures below the recommended temperature can cause hardening of adhesives and a decrease in the adhesive properties of the adhesive. This makes it difficult to stick labels to packaging, bottles, or containers, particularly if the packaging is also cold. It is recommended that the surface temperature of the container or package shouldn’t be below 5°C.
Storing self-adhesive labels in hot conditions can cause the adhesive to soften and stringy. Adhesives may also bleed from roll edges. Note that warm labels can still adhere well to cold surfaces if their adhesive is designed to do so.
Low temperature and low humidity also provide to build up an electrostatic charge on labels. Plastic labels are especially susceptible to electrostatic charge. The electrostatic charge can cause problems with label application on the surface as well as label bubbling or creasing.
In addition, self-adhesive papers can curl under low or very high humidity. Storage in low humidity, paper fibers contract as they lose moisture to the surrounding atmosphere. And vice versa, very high humidity can cause problems with paper curl due to paper fibers expanding. All this affects the labeling result.
Some of these effects listed above are reversible if materials are stored under the correct conditions for 24/72 hours before use. However, the effects of exposure to high temperatures are not recoverable.
Roll Label Storage
• Store label rolls by stacking exactly them end-to-end.
• Prior to using, store your label rolls in shrink wrap. Partially used label rolls are stored in plastic bags to decrease humidity exposure. Avoid moisture condensation on labels.
• Remove label rolls evenly from the shipping packaging to avoid telescopic deformation.
• The labels should be applied to a clean, dry, grease-free surface to ensure the best adhesion. If such an application is not possible, discuss this problem with the label manufacturer in advance.
If you have any questions regarding the issues above, please contact the Green Trade experts to get more information.