What Happens If Dirt Gets on Your Adhesive Labels Before Shipping Your Products?

Dirt can find its way onto your adhesive labels in many different ways: through direct contact with fingers, a dirty storage environment, or by adhering to packaging materials that are coated in dirt. 

Regardless of how the dirt comes into contact with adhesive labels, the result is never good. It’s very difficult (if not impossible) to use a label once it’s come into contact with dirt.

Label Solutions explains what to do if this happens to you.

How Does Dirt Affect the Application of Adhesive Labels?

If your label gets dirty during the application process or it is placed on a package that is coated in dirt, the label will have a hard time sticking to the textured surface. Essentially, texture reduces the surface area available for the label to stick to, leaving gaps that may appear bumpy and unprofessional from the customer’s point of view. 

In short, dirt will ruin your labels. Once they’re affected, they won’t adhere correctly and they are likely to peel. This will make your product look less attractive over time. 

What to Do If Dirt Gets On Your Labels

If dirt gets onto the front side of your labels, you may be able to wipe it off with little difficulty. However, if it touches the adhesive side of your labels, they will be impossible to clean thoroughly. You will need to dispose of the labels and replace them.

How to Prevent Contamination With Dirt

Here’s the bottom line: Once your labels are contaminated with dirt, they won’t stay stuck. You’ll need to replace the dirty labels before shipping the product off to any customers or you’ll risk damaging your brand reputation.

However, there is some good news! There are ways to make sure this doesn’t happen again. Primarily, it comes down to proper storage and maintaining a clean packaging environment.

 

  • Store adhesive labels inside an airtight plastic bag or container.
  • Keep labels off the ground by storing them on shelves.
  • Regularly clean your packaging/labeling environment to prevent dust and dirt buildup on surfaces.
  • Avoid touching the adhesive when applying labels manually.

 

Need to Order New Adhesive Labels?

If your labels are no longer usable, the experts at Label Solutions are available to help. We can provide high-quality labels and tips on how to store and apply them properly so you won’t ever have to deal with dirty labels again. Contact us today for more details.

How to Fix Common Problems With Your Adhesive Label Applicator

Excessive downtime spent troubleshooting production issues can cut into your profit and hinder your productivity. To help you get back up and running faster, here are some of the most common problems companies face with adhesive label applicators, and most importantly, how to solve them.

Problem #1: The label material has excessive die strikes.

Die strikes are one of the most common problems with automatic label application. A die strike is a specific part of the label production process that must be done correctly by the label manufacturer. Otherwise, you might end up with labels that don’t properly separate from the liner. It’s caused by adhesive (from the back of the label) getting into the lining.

Although all labels have die strikes, excessive die strikes are a quality control issue, and they will cause issues with automatic application. For example, the labels may not completely peel off the liner or they may jam the adhesive label applicator.

The solution: If your labels have excessive die strikes, you should consult with the label supplier. The supplier will need to correct their label production process to prevent these issues from occurring.

Problem #2: The label liner is peeling or curling.

If your liners are behaving like this and are refusing to cooperate with your adhesive label applicator, high temperatures and humidity might be the problem. If your production environment is very humid, your label liners may expand or curl, which can cause jams.

The solution: Store your labels in airtight plastic bags and on low shelves in your production facility (high shelves will be much warmer). You should also store your labels standing up with the hole facing vertically or hang them on a rack. This will keep the labels from sliding on the liner.

Problem #3: Loose or wrinkling labels.

If your labels are applying smoothly, it may not be an issue with your adhesive label applicator. Instead, it is likely a problem with your container. Very small irregularities in your containers could be the cause of your labels not sticking properly due to an inconsistent shape. 

The solution: You may need to shop for a new container supplier that provides higher-quality packaging. You may also want to talk to your label supplier to ensure that you’re purchasing the right type of label materials for your packaging.

Avoid Some Adhesive Label Applicator Issues With High-Quality Labels

Too often, common problems with label applicators stem from poor-quality labels. Label Solutions offers the highest-quality labels for a variety of industries and needs. Contact us today to find out how we can create the perfect labels for your product.

How to Store Adhesive Labels Properly

At Label Solutions, we’ve intentionally designed our process to make sure your adhesive labels are the highest-quality product and that they are exactly what you want for your product. However, even after your labels leave our facility, we want to make sure you get the most out of them and you’re happy with their performance.

Properly storing your labels has a huge impact on their overall efficacy and performance. To ensure that your customer is satisfied when they receive your product, here’s how you can extend the shelf life of your labels and protect your investment.

Storage Tips for Adhesive Labels

  1. Avoid direct sunlight.

Continued exposure to UV rays will make your labels appear faded or discolored. To keep them looking fresh and new, shield them from direct sunlight by storing them in an opaque container. That way, they’ll look their best when you place them on your product.

  1. Maintain proper temperatures.

Extreme temperatures can prevent your labels from properly adhering to your product. To make sure they bond perfectly with every application, store them in a location that is about 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Storing them in a location that is hotter or cooler than 72 degrees Fahrenheit will negatively affect the adhesive quality of your labels.

  1. Avoid moisture.

Humidity can also harm the adhesive on your labels, which can result in a poor application process. Your labels should be stored in a room with 50% relative humidity for maximum adhering performance.

  1. Prevent your adhesive labels from getting dusty.

If you use a label applicator machine to place your labels on your product, dust build-up can cause performance issues. You can prevent this by storing your labels inside a container or some other type of plastic bag. This type of storage solution will also keep your labels safe from moisture.

  1. Avoid storing your labels flat (like paper).

Storing labels flat on their faces can make them slide on the liner. Instead, always store labels standing vertically (with the hole facing up) or hang them on a rack.

Want More Advice on Getting the Most Out of Your Adhesive Labels?

Our experts provide high-quality labels for a variety of industries and products. We guarantee a positive experience from start to finish and make sure our clients understand proper storage and application techniques to make the most of their labels. Contact Label Solutions today for more information.

Adhesive Labels Saving Lives With Efficient Time to Market & COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic changed everything about our modern society, from how we interact with each other to product purchasing patterns. Label printers also had to adapt, as time to market, efficient production, digital designs, and working remotely with customers all became necessary. 

Most importantly, adhesive labels can save lives during the coronavirus pandemic. Label Solutions explains how. 

Related Post: Custom Labels for Industries Responding to COVID-19

Safety Labels

Adhesive labels go beyond the ones you see on products. What about signage throughout an office, store, or industrial facility? Custom labels for floor signage or signs affixed to shelves and doors can instruct customers and employees what’s going on or what to do. For example, you see safety labels at your workplace all of the time. 

What happens when you notice new safety labels posted around the office? You stop and look at them. New signage may say to maintain social distancing, wear a face covering, or take note of where the hand sanitizer is located. All of these things can save lives by stopping the spread of the infectious coronavirus.

Vinyl represents an excellent choice when you need long-lasting, durable labels. 

Compliant Product Labels

Product labels must comply with federal regulations, especially when it comes to ingredients, warnings, and the purpose of your product. Hand sanitizer, nutraceuticals for immune support, oxygen canisters, and disinfectants must all have the right verbiage so they’re used properly for best results. 

When your customers use your products the right way, based on the label’s detailed instructions, it can save lives. For example, instructions for using an oxygen tank are clearly marked for someone needing a boost for their lungs while undergoing treatment for COVID-19. Disinfectants must be used properly to kill germs on surfaces, which doesn’t happen without clear instructions on a product label.

Simple Stickers

Schools have had to change their learning models for the 2020-21 academic year. Simple stickers in a classroom tell students how to wash their hands, use hand sanitizer, and wear masks. Stickers come in a variety of colors, fun images, and cool verbiage. Label printing companies like Label Solutions can create vibrant stickers for your school to teach students how to take care of themselves and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Digital Printing & Time to Market

The main key to efficient time to market in response to COVID-19 adhesive labels is digital printing services. Label Solutions has a graphic design team that can send you designs through a secure, online system. Then our quick printer can take digital designs and run up to 80 labels a minute. We’ll improve your time to market with our printing process.

Related Post: What Must Be on Labels for Nutraceuticals

Lifesaving Adhesive Labels by Label Solutions

Does your company need adhesive labels in response to COVID-19? Contact Label Solutions online or call toll-free 1-800-299-9200 to partner with us for your next production run.

What Can Winter Weather Do to Adhesive Labels?

Your products need labels that stay on and stay clear no matter what. Have you thought about what happens to labels in winter weather? Sure, they ship in a semi-trailer. But your products (or the labels) might endure frigid temperatures for several hours. What about large products, such as gas cylinders, that might also be exposed to the elements through shipping, handling, or outdoor storage? 

Today’s blog from Label Solutions talks about how winter weather affects adhesive labels.

Related Post: How Humidity and Moisture Affect Adhesive Labels

Problems Caused by Cold

Winter means cold temperatures. Frigid temps mean ordinary labels may not work properly. Have you ever tried to apply thermal labels in a cold environment? That’s doomed to fail. The adhesive labels don’t stick properly. The ink will likely smear. You’ll have to re-apply labels all over again, causing delays, increased labor costs, and more label printing.

Humidity

Humidity is lower in the winter. So labels lose moisture, and liners start to shrink or curl. The backing might have problems because the substrate is made of a slightly different material than the actual adhesive labels. You’ll need to make the humidity as close to room temperature conditions as possible before applying adhesive labels to your products if you don’t require special conditions for the items.

Temperatures During Storage

One unique problem you might not think about is where and how the products and/or adhesive labels are stored. Sudden temperature shifts aren’t kind to product labels. 

Review the following examples of temperature issues for labels during storage.

You store your products in frozen temperatures to maintain efficacy and preserve your valuable items. However, the labels have been stored at room temperature for a few days. The sudden change in temperature might not work well.

The opposite is also true. Your products are at room temperature, but the labels just came off of a logistics truck or were stored near a shipping dock where temperatures stayed cold. 

Adhesives become firm and brittle when they’re in unreliable temperatures. Quick shifts from cold to warm or warm to cold may cause difficulties during the application process. Firm and brittle labels lower the tack quality.

How to Solve Problems of Winter Weather Adhesive Label Applications

Test the application process first. We cannot stress this enough. 90% of problems with label applications come from insufficient QA and testing before running the entire product line through your label applicator. 

Choose the right adhesive labels for the right products. Your chosen label printer should know what kinds of adhesives, label material, and ink work well with the temperature, substrate, and humidity levels your products will endure over time.

Mitigate sudden temperature changes, if necessary. Sometimes your products must be kept cold or warm for a reason. But the labels are stored at room temperature. This is where the right label material is essential when you have no choice but to apply labels with starkly different temperatures. Otherwise, keep your products and the labels at the same temperature and humidity for a few days for best results. 

Related Post: Products That Use Waterproof Labels

Adhesive Labels by Label Solutions

Do you need quality adhesive labels for your products? Contact Label Solutions online or call toll-free 1-800-299-9200 to partner with us for your next production run.