Different Types of Label Printing Material and Their Uses

Labels are a crucial element of your brand. Its unique design and pattern let the customers recognise your brand and products without reading the label. However, the wrong choice of label material will do more harm than good to your brand. Imagine a situation where you had removable labels instead of permanent ones. Thewill fall off before it reaches the shelves, and the potential customer will not recognise your brand. Hence, choosing the right label material for your product is vital.

When choosing the suitable label material for your product, there are a few factors to consider. In this blog post, we’ll go over the most popular types of label materials and help you identify which one is right for your needs. Keep reading to learn more!

Vinyl Labels

Vinyl is a synthetic label printing material made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and it’s one of the most versatile and durable label materials on the market. Vinyl labels are perfect for products exposed to excessive moisture or heat, thanks to their weatherproof properties. Plus, vinyl comes under the removable labels category. They are removable and do not leave behind any residue, making them perfect for products that need to be repurposed or reused. However, vinyl labels can be more expensive than other options and are not biodegradable.

Polypropylene Labels

Polypropylene labels offer the best combination of value and strength compared to other film labels, making them popular with businesses requiring a more durable label. These labels provide strength and durability. Companies choose polypropylene labels for applications requiring a more durable label. For example, polypropylene labels may be an excellent choice if you need a label that must withstand short-term outdoor use with exposure to water and wear and tear. It can be an excellent addition to the foodprinter for labelling meat and poultry products that need to stay in low temperatures. Due to its versatility, the possible uses of polypropylene labels are almost limitless.

Polyimide Labels

Polyimide label is a permanent, pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive material with a highly opaque, glossy white topcoat. Polyimide is a material specifically designed for long-term use at very high temperatures. An ideal label to withstand the surface mount board process and is perfect for discreet labelling applications. The thermal stability of polyimide labels makes them suitable for applications where the absence of shrinkage or degradation is critical. Therefore, other typical applications of polyimide labels are barcoding and permanent identification. We create polyimide labels with the latest digital technology and high-definition printing to meet customer drawing requests.

Polyethylene (PE) Labels

PE is aong the most common type of label material. It has low mechanical and chemical resistance. In most cases, it’s used for a maximum of 6 months. Polyethylene or PE is available both as permanent and removable labels. These are suitable to pack contours and flex well with squeezable packaging. Common applications of Polyethylene labels include labelling test tubes, vials, chemical drums and products with a highly curved surfaces.

Polyester Labels

Polyester is a synthetic plastic polymer frequently used in label printing due to its durability and weather-resistant properties. Polyester labels are perfect for products that may endure a lot of wear and tear, as they can withstand scratches, abrasion, and UV exposure. However, polyester labels can be more expensive than other options and are not biodegradable. Plus, removing a polyester label can be difficult and often requires the use of chemicals.

Paper Labels

Paper labels are the most common labels used in the marketplace today. They’re affordable, easy to produce, and biodegradable. Paper labels are versatile, and companies can print on them using various methods (including digital printing), making them perfect for small batches or custom orders. However, paper labels are not as durable as other options, and they can’t withstand excessive moisture or heat. Plus, removing a paper label can often leave behind an adhesive residue. Below are a few common labelling materials made of paper.

Thermal Transfer

This material is for printers that use thermal ribbons. A thermal print head heats and melts the backside of the ribbon, transferring the marking to the label.

Direct Thermal

It differs from thermal transfer because the label, not the ribbon, is heat sensitive. The print head heats the label and changes colour.

Semi-gloss

The semi-glossy label is a glossy material with no gloss. Labels are printed directly on semi-gloss paper.

Gloss

It’s another paper medium on which the printers print directly, the difference is that this paper has a higher gloss.

Laser

This paper label is self-explanatory for printers that use a laser instead of ink to create the image.

Inkjet

This paper can absorb ink from inkjet label printers. It dries quickly and prevents smearing.

Concluding Words

When choosing the right label material for your product, there’s no one-size-fits-all solution. The best material for your needs will depend on budget, durability requirements, intended use, and more. We hope this blog post has gives you a better understanding of the available options so you can make an informed decision about the type of label material right for your product.

Get the Best Label Printing Material From DAL

DAL offers high-quality label printing materials to suit all your packaging needs. Our professionals can help you choose the best material suitable for your package and guide you with the printing techniques and designs. If you want to print your labels, we can also help you with our exclusive range of label printers.

For more information or to order, don’t hesitate to contact us at 03 9764 2882, 03 9764 2215 or email us at sales@dal.com.au. You can also visit our website www.dal.com.au to find out more about our products and services.