Labelstock Training
Components of
Label Materials
Label Construction
Topcoat
(Optional)
Adhesives
Release Coating
Liner
Facestocks
Topcoats
Top Coatings
? Improve Ink Anchorage
? Excellent Abrasion Resistance
? Matte or Gloss
? Developed for Specific Applications
? Press Printing
? Electronic Imaging
? Corona Treatment of Facestock
Thermal Transfer Top Coats
? Matte or Gloss Appearance
? Excellent Smoothness for High Density Bar
Code Printing
? Excellent Abrasion/Chemical Resistance
? Compatible with Wide Ranges of Printing
Inks
? UL/CSA Recognized with Selected Ribbons
Dot Matrix Top Coat
? Fast Drying Time
? Excellent Die Cuttability
? Excellent Abrasion Resistance
? Excellent Solvent Resistance
? Compatible with Wide Ranges of Printing
Inks
? UL/CSA Recognized with Selected Ribbons
Laser Toner Imageable Top Coat
? Matte Top Coat for Toner Anchorage
? Excellent Abrasion Resistance
? Excellent Solvent Resistance
? Compatible with Wide Ranges of Printing
Inks
? UL/CSA Recognized with Selected Toners
Gloss Topcoat
EP TT IJ LM
Topcoat
Facestock
Adhesive
Liner
Matte Topcoat
Topcoat
Adhesive
Liner
Facestock
EP TT IJ
Facestocks
Facestocks
? Paper
? Acetate
? Polyester
? Polyolefin
? Polypropylene
? Polystyrene
? Calendered Vinyl
? Cast Vinyl
? Polyimide
Kapton?
? Acrylate
? Aluminum Foil
? Retro-Reflective Film
Adhesives
Identification Materials Adhesives
Acrylic
#100
#200
#400
Modified
Acrylic
Specialty
Acrylic
#300
#310
#320
#350
#1000
#1100
Emulsion Based Adhesives
All Purpose
High Performance
Ultra Clear
AP-360,AP-380
HP-395
UC-50
300,310 and 350 Adhesive Comparison
? 300
? 310
? 350
? Designed for LSE applications.
? More tendency to ooze in thermal transfer printers.
? Primarily HSE substrates (may be acceptable for
some LSE applications,but testing is essential)
? Best for thermal transfer printing (stiff,non-oozing)
? Most versatile -- works on HSE and LSE substrates
? Offered in thicker caliper for textured surfaces
? Best chemical and temperature resistance
? Excellent shear strength
Removable Adhesives
? Removable is typically defined as the ability to
remove the label in one piece,with the adhesive
remaining with the facestock.
? Typically adhesion values of <25 oz./in,are
considered to be removable.
? Typically adhesion values of >40 oz./in,are
considered to be permanent.
? Adhesion values 25-40 oz./in,may be removable
depending on the conditions of the application.
Liners
Liners
? Densified Kraft
? Polycoated Kraft
? 78# Clay Coated Kraft
? 55# TL Lay Flat Liner
? Film Liner
Effect of Humidity on Liners
? Liner Expansion - Curl
? Channels
? Adhesive Ooze
Densified Kraft Liner
Advantages
? Easy to Die Cut
? Lower Cost
Disadvantages
? Not Moisture Stable
55#TL & 78# Clay Coated Liner
? Better Lay Flat Property
? Better Humidity Resistance
? Better Handling
Polycoated Kraft Liner
? 44# - Polycoated ONE Side
? Not Moisture Stable
? 90# - Polycoated TWO Sides
? Moisture Stable
? Lay Flat
? Ideal for Screen Printing
? Clean Room Application
Film Liner
Advantages
? Moisture Stable
? Clean Room Application
? High Speed Dispensing
Disadvantages
? Higher Cost
? Static Charges
? Less Experience Die Cutting
Paper Liners
? Recommended for Lay Flat and Sheetable
Applications:
? 55# Lay Flat-Easy Release
? 55# Lay Flat-Medium Release
? 78# Clay Coat
? 90# Polycoated Kraft
Liner Release and
Automatic Dispensing
? Typically,25 grams/inch is considered the
upper limit for high speed dispensing
? Liner release values at higher speeds (300
ipm) are typically higher than values at lower
speeds (90 ipm).
? Facestock stiffness can affect dispensability,
Stiffer materials are generally easier to
dispense.
Liner Release Levels
(Lowest to Highest)
? Premium Release:
? 43# & 55# Premium
Release
? Easy Release:
? 40# & 50# DK-ER
? 44# & 90# PCK
? 43# & 55# SCK-ER
? 55# TL (Lay Flat-
Easy Release) (7480,
7842TL)
? 2.0 mil Polyolefin (PL)
? Medium Release:
? 55# TL (Lay Flat-
Medium Release)
(7840TL,7845TL)
? 78# CC
? 1.5 mil PET (FL)
Vocabulary
Abbreviations
? ABS,acrylonitrile butadiene styrene
? C1S,coated one side
? C2S,coated 2 sides
? CI,computer imprintable
? CC,clay coat
? CMYK,cyan,magenta,yellow,black
(4 color process)
? DK,densified kraft
? DMI,dot matrix impact
Abbreviations
? ER,easy release
? FL,film liner
? Flexo,flexographic printing
? FS or F/S,facestock
? IJ,ink jet
? IPM,inches per minute
? LS or L/S,labelstock
? MR,medium release
? NTC,nontopcoated
Abbreviations
? OL or O/L,overlaminate
? PC,polycarbonate
? PCK,polycoated kraft
? PE,polyethylene
? PET,polyester (aka,polyethylene
terephthalate)
? PL,polyolefin liner
? PMMA,polymethylmethacrylate
? POP,point of purchase
Abbreviations
? PP,polypropylene
? PP,press printable
? PS,polystyrene
? SCK,supercalendered kraft
? SOHO,small office,home office
? TC,topcoated
? TT,thermal transfer
? UV,ultra violet
End User
Requirements
Pre-Dispensing
Dispensing Considerations
? Hand Applied
? Automatic Dispensing
? Slow Speed
? High Speed
Dispensing Problems
? Deep Die Cuts
? use sharp die tooled for
the stock
? die stain test
? retool die at regular
intervals
? Use a label picker
? may scratch surface
? Use a smaller radius
peeler plate
? may increase liner
breakage
? Make sure liner is flush
against peeler plate
Dispensing Problems
? Excessive Adhesive
Ooze
? Use minimal winding
tension
? Monitor die cutting
depth
? must cut completely
through the adhesive
without cutting through
the silicone
? Store finished labels in
sealed polyethylene
bags
Adhesive,Ooze”
Pressure
Label
Adhesive
Liner
Heat and Humidity
Dispensing Problems
? High Liner
Release
? Low Adhesion
to Applied
Surface
? Verify liner release is
within spec
? Change to a product with a
lower liner release
? Check adhesive coat
weight
? Check for changes in
surface
? Verify correct adhesive
choice