Materials & Adhesive Selection

A pressure-sensitive label is a three-layer system — face stock, adhesive and liner. Match all three to the job and it performs; mismatch any one and it fails. Here is how we approach the selection.

Ask for Material Advice Jump to Conditions

Select by Working Condition

Nine demanding conditions we meet regularly — each links to the full failure analysis and verification approach.

Cold-chain & freezerLow-tack freezer-grade adhesive families and flexible films that stay conformable below −18 °C.Learn how →
High temperature / retortHeat-rated adhesive systems with temperature-matched facestocks and inks for wet and dry heat.Learn how →
Small-diameter & curvedLow-grammage flexible films paired with high-cohesion adhesives so the label follows tight radii.Learn how →
Low-surface-energyAdhesives formulated for PP, PE foam and corrugated — with surface-preparation advice for your line.Learn how →
Outdoor & UVUV-stable inks and weather-resistant films; colour drift tracked against your target.Learn how →
Chemical & solventPET facestocks with cross-linked UV inks, and overlaminate where exposure is severe.Learn how →
Wash-off recyclingWater-removable adhesive systems that release cleanly in defined wash conditions.Learn how →
Variable data & serializationCode-friendly coatings and materials with verified readability on every piece.Learn how →
RFID / NFC compositeRadio-friendly, non-shielding facestocks around certified inlays for smart labels.Learn how →

Face Stock Families

The visible top layer — chosen for appearance, durability and how it prints.

Paper

Economical matte or gloss stocks for indoor labels and short-life products — with or without varnish or lamination.

PET film

Durable, water- and oil-resistant film for bottles, chemicals and long-life products; clear or white, glossy or brushed.

PE / flexible films

Conformable films that follow squeezable containers and tight radii without wrinkling.

Clear BOPP

Transparent film and adhesive for the “no-label look” on visible products.

Water-soluble film

Labels that release in washing — used with wash-off adhesive systems for bottle recycling.

Metallic & specialty

Metalized and holographic films for premium print and security effects — see our finishing range.

Adhesive Families

Performance classes we work with — final selection is matched to your surface, not chosen from a brochure.

Permanent acrylic

The everyday workhorse for smooth, high-energy surfaces — clean peel from the liner, strong long-term bond.

Removable & repositionable

Clean removal without residue for price marks, temporary labels and reusable packaging.

Freezer / low-temperature

Low-tack-at-temperature systems that keep their grip below −18 °C.

High-temperature systems

Heat-rated adhesives for hot-fill, pasteurization and retort service windows.

Low-surface-energy

Systems formulated to wet PP, PE and coated board where standard adhesives bead up.

Wash-off

Adhesives that lose their bond under defined wash conditions for clean bottle recycling.

Release Liner Types

The carrier under the adhesive — it determines dispensing behaviour, not just backing.

Paper release liner

Glassine and CCK papers in the usual grammages — economical, stable, the standard for most roll labels.

Film liner (PET / PP)

Thin, tear-resistant film liners for small labels, high-speed dispensing and die-cut shapes that need a stiffer carrier.

Free technical resources for your next spec

Download the label failure atlas (24 field modes), the food-contact compliance self-check and the anti-duplication whitepaper — no sales call, just your work email.

Browse Technical Resources →

Not sure which construction fits?

Send us your container, environment and filling process — we will shortlist materials and run a trial before you commit. Final adhesive and material selection is confirmed against your container, environment and filling line.

Discuss with Our Engineers