With the warmer months fast approaching, producers are gearing up for seasonal product labeling. Heat is an important factor to considering labeling warm weather products. High temperatures and humidity can adversely affect your product labels, causing them to fade, lift and curl. Keeping a few tips and tricks in mind will ensure your labels stand up to the summer months and last the life cycle of your product.
Label Adhesive:
Soft pressure adhesives can fail as temperatures increase, causing the binding to liquefy, smear or fail. Adhesives that react adversely to heat can also affect your printers and auto labeling equipment, leaving residue build up that will damage print heads and other components.
Some label stocks are better suited for printing and applying at cooler temperatures. Be sure to use a label stock that is approved for heat and humidity and has a wider application range for warm weather product labeling.
Labels Substrates & Liners:
Quick changes to temperatures can cause label stock to curl and peel. This occurs because the liner absorbs more moisture than the substrate, making labels harder to apply and increasing the risk of label failure. Film substrates with paper liners are most susceptible to such problems. To avoid potential risks, try testing paper labels on polypropylene liners. The more resistant the liner is to moisture and humidity, the less likely your labels are to lift.
Label Transportation & Storage
Labels can be exposed to extreme temperatures during shipping. Non-climate controlled shipping containers can often reach heights of over 170 degrees Fahrenheit. To avoid receiving a shipment of labels that are destined for disaster, try sourcing climate controlled shipping methods that protect your labels while they are in route. Lastly, store your labels in a controlled environment once they arrive at your facility. This ensures your labels will be ready for peak performance when it’s time to apply them to your products.
If climate-controlled transportation and storage are not available, follow these simple steps:
- Place your product labels in plastic bags or shrink-wrap to protect them from temperature fluctuations.
- Store your labels on low racks and shelves that are closest to the floor. Do not double stack your labels and make sure to leave a few inches of space between each container and pallet.
- Acclimate your labels to your environment before applying them to your products. Generally, labels can acclimate within 24 hours. For best results, labels should be stored in locations that do not exceed 70 degrees Fahrenheit and 50% humidity.
Labels with heavy coat weight adhesives and textured surfaces may require special care. If you are experiencing label failure commonly associated with high temperatures and humidity, please contact sales@imageteklabels.com for assistance.