Label Material – WCT Label

Glue ...

Before we go to tell you about the different label materials, we want to spend a little time to tell you about the different glues available.

Permanent Glue
this is our standard general purpose glue suitable for most jobs. This glue should provide sufficient strength on most substrate including glass, metal, plastic, plastic film and should be well suited for most applications.

Removable Glue
this glue is as its name said should be easy to remove and it should be able to be removed in one piece. This is popular for applications where you do not want to leave any glue residual after removing the label from a labeling surface.

Freezer Glue
this glue can maintain its adhesive strength even at freezer temperature because the standard permanent glue can not maintain its strength at freezer temperature and may peel off by itself so if your applications require freezer temperature storage, this is the glue for you.

Extra Strong Glue
if your applications require applying the labels to a difficult surface such as a non-flat uneven surface such as wood, car tires or a surface with texture, this may be the perfect glue for these applications.

Because there are some many objects surfaces that you can apply a label to so we strongly recommend our customers to ask us for some label samples for actual field glue testing before placing an order to make sure the glue fits the application requirements.

Please note while the permanent glue is available for all label materials, removable glue, freezer glue and extra strong are available for some label materials only so please ask us for label material/glue combinations availability.

Here is a few more things to consider when choosing the type of glue to use for an application.

Initial Adhesion
This is the degree of stickiness or grab of an adhesive when it is first applied to a product or surface. The adhesive strength is at its weakest when the label is first applied to a surface so we have to wait a while for the adhesion to built up before testing the label adhesive strength. Usually this is at least one hour after label application. The reason for having this weaker initial adhesion is because if the label reaches its strongest adhesion when it is initial applied, it may not be possible to reposition the label if it is not positioned correctly.

Ultimate Adhesion
Adhesion is at the weakest when the label is first applied to a surface (initial adhesion) and the adhesive strength will gradually increased until the ultimate strongest adhesion is reached and usually this is at least an hour after the label is initially applied to a surface.

Temperature
Actually there are 2 temperature parameters to consider, one is the label APPLICATION TEMPERATURE which is the minimum temperature at which the label is applied. All glues have their recommended application temperature. The other one is the label SERVICE TEMPERATURE which is the temperature range the label can be exposed to for an extended period of time after the label is applied. These 2 temperature parameters may be different for a glue. For example a freezer glue may have a minimum +4°C application temperature and a -20°C to +80°C service temperature which means the label must be applied at +4°C or above but once the label is applied the label can stay on the product securely at freezer temperature. If however the product is taken out from the freezer and a label is applied to it immediately, the label may not stay on the product too well because the product itself or the application temperature may be below its recommended minimum application temperature at +4°C so there is a possibility that the label may peel off by itself. Please tell us if you have a special temperature requirements when placing orders.

Wet or Damp Surface Labelling
Most glues can tolerate wet and damp environments to a certain extent provided that the label is initially applied to a dry surface. Please tell us if you have a job that required wet or damp surface labelling.

Label Material ...

Paper based label material is economical, general purpose but normally not water resistance. Here is a list of some of our most popular one:-

Woodfree Paper Labels

The smooth surface provides very good ink absorption characteristics. The stronger liner is well suited for machine applications. This product can be widely used in industrial and commercial label system, such as pharmaceutical, inventory, shipping and price marking. Woodfree paper labels cannot be laminated and it is neither water nor oil-resistant.

Fluorescent Color Woodfree Paper Labels

This is basically a woodfree paper as mentioned above and mainly used for making pricing labels. 5 fluorescent colors are available which are Red, Orange, Yellow, Green and Pink.

High Gloss Paper Labels

The product is suitable for a wide range of promotional and industrial label applications where an attractive gloss appearance in multi-colors work is required.

Semi-Gloss Paper Labels

The semi-gloss product is suitable for a wide range of promotional and industrial label applications where an attractive semi-gloss appearance in multi-color work is required.

Direct Thermal Paper Labels

This thermal sensitive product is designed for weight scale printing. Direct thermal media is coated with a heat-sensitive coating that blackens under the thermal print head. However, it is more sensitive to light, heat, and abrasion, which can cause fading, so exposure to such environments should be avoided. Despite this limitation, direct thermal printing still provides ample lifespan for many common label printing applications, such as shipping labels, scale labels, price labels, tickets, visitor passes, patient labels, and wristbands. It is recommended to consume the material within 6 months after receiving them.

Matt Thermal Transfer Paper Labels

This material is specifically designed to accept heat activated ink from the ink ribbon of a thermal transfer printer. The 2 essential criteria for satisfactory thermal transfer printing are, firstly 'smoothness', so that the label surface, appropriate filmic ribbon and print head can be brought together uniformly to ensure an even distribution of activated ribbon on the label. Secondly, 'receptivity' of the label surface to the activated ink, whether just by absorbing or by a special label top coating to which the transferred ink will have an affinity, which ensures an acceptable scratch or smudge resistant image.

Water Dissolvable Labels

This material is highly soluble and dissolves within seconds in normal tap water. This material is commonly used in making day dot labels because when the label is applied to a container and when then container is reused there is no need to remove the old label, we just need to soak or flush the label in water and it will dissolve automatically.

Bright Silver or Gold Foil Paper Labels

The metallized appearance is ideal for primary labeling of high and luxury goods such as cosmetics, wines, toys or promotional labels.

Matt Silver or Gold Foil Paper Labels

The metallized appearance is ideal for primary labeling of high and luxury goods such as cosmetics, wines, toys or promotional labels.

Film Based label material normally is water and chemical resistance and has a higher temperature tolerance, some are flexible and even stretchable so they are especially suitable for curve surface labelling or labelling something that has a large curvature such as test tubes. Here is a list of some our popular one:-

Matt White Film Labels (Synthesis Paper)

Applications are predominantly in cosmetics, toiletries, automotive lubricants and household chemicals requiring durability and resistance to moisture and chemicals with a visual match to matte finished containers. This matt film material is also excellent for thermal transfer printing.

High Gloss White Film Labels (PP film)

This white film label material is one of our most commonly used material and is suitable for most applications. These white film labels are made with polypropylene material. It is impervious to water and oils and is particularly suitable for bath and body products, as well as food and beverage products.

High Gloss Clear Film Labels (PP film)

This clear film label material is one of our most commonly used material and is suitable for most applications. Clear film labels are made with polypropylene material. It is impervious to water and oils and is particularly suitable for bath and body products, as well as food and beverage products.

Flexible White Film Labels (PE film)

Due to its flexibility, these white film labels are especially suitable for substrates like plastic bags, squeezable bottles, small cylindrical surface such as test tubes and flexible containers. The product can also be used for applications where PVC labels are not wanted for environmental reasons.

Flexible Clear Film Labels (PE film)

Due to its flexibility, these clear film labels are especially suitable for substrates like plastic bags, squeezable bottles, small cylindrical surface such as test tubes and flexible containers. The product can also be used for applications where PVC labels are not wanted for environmental reasons.

Durable High Gloss White Film Labels (PET film)

This product features excellent tear strength, heat resistance, dimensional stability, opacity and chemical resistance. This product is suitable for use in a wide range of durable labeling applications. It is UL recognized for indoor/outdoor service.

Durable Matt Silver Film Labels (PET film)

Durable High Gloss Clear Film Labels (PET film)

Matt White Direct Thermal Film Labels (Synthesis Paper)

This product is specially designed for use in airport luggage tag thermal printing systems. It has a special top coating providing protection for the thermal layer to prevent damage from water, grease and blood during the transportation. It is recommended to consume the material within 6 months after receiving them. Exposure to sunshine or above 50°C should be avoided.

Tamper-Evident Labels

Tamper-Evident is to indicate or to prevent alteration by tampering and/or to indicate that article is genuine and fit for use. If the label is breached or missing, it can be reasonably expected to provide evidence to users that tampering has occurred. As a general rule however, product tampering can not be prevented completely. The aim to to make life as difficult as possible for the culprits.

Numerous types of tamper evident have been developed. This include:

VOID Labels
This tamper-evident label material contains a hidden "VOID" message. When peel back from a surface the adhesive separates from the label face material to reveal a visible "VOID" message on the label or the surface.

Fragile Labels
Fragile label stocks that provide tamper evident function due to their low structure integrity and the label will break up when removal is attempted. Usually combined with extra strong glue.

Statement of Practical Use

All label materials should be tested thoroughly under end-use conditions to ensure it meets the requirements of the specific application. Please contact us to receive label material samples for testing.