How to Choose Label Paper? A Comprehensive Guide to Self-Adhesive Labels
Do you know what a self-adhesive label is? As the name suggests, it is a label with self-adhesive glue on it. Self-adhesive paper refers to a material where paper, plastic, and other materials are used as the face material, and the back of the face material is coated with self-adhesive glue. The backing paper is a composite material of silicon-protected paper. After processing such as printing, die-cutting, and cutting, it becomes a self-adhesive label.

Self-adhesive labels are ubiquitous in our daily lives and are widely used. They are applied to products such as food, jewelry, clothing, and beverages. They are also very convenient to use. They can be stuck on at any time without affecting the aesthetics of the product. Self-adhesive labels share the same characteristics as traditional labels: no need to brush glue or dip in water, and high adhesion. Self-adhesive labels can also be used for coating and hot stamping, but these two processes are costly and generally not used. They are usually applied to trademarks and identification marks.

Self-adhesive labels can be printed on the back, that is, on the adhesive surface, creating a double-sided label. If used on a transparent product, the content of the label can be seen through the product, which can also serve a certain anti-counterfeiting function. Back printing is not suitable for a large number of labels with high precision requirements. Self-adhesive labels can also convey information, promote and market products, and communicate brand value.

There are two types of self-adhesive labels. One is the permanent label that cannot be moved after sticking, and the other is the removable label. If customers want their products to achieve the desired effect, they can choose the appropriate self-adhesive label according to their needs. Do you now know what a self-adhesive label is?

Structure of Self-Adhesive Labels

•  Face Material: It is the carrier of the content of the self-adhesive label, and the back of the face paper is coated with adhesive. There are many materials that can be used for face materials, which are generally divided into offset paper and transparent polyvinyl chloride (PVC), static polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyester (PET), laser paper, temperature-resistant paper, polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), kraft paper, fluorescent paper, gold-coated paper, silver-coated paper, synthetic paper, aluminum foil paper, and fragile paper (anti-counterfeiting paper).
•  Film Materials: These include transparent polyester (PET), semi-transparent polyester (PET), transparent polypropylene (OPP), semi-transparent polypropylene (OPP), transparent polyvinyl chloride (PVC), bright white polyvinyl chloride (PVC), matte white polyvinyl chloride (PVC), synthetic paper, bright gold (silver) polyester, and matte gold (silver) polyester.
•  Adhesive: Including general-purpose super adhesive, general-purpose strong adhesive, frozen food strong adhesive, general-purpose re-peelable adhesive, and fiber re-peelable adhesive. On the one hand, the adhesive ensures the proper adhesion between the backing paper and the face paper. On the other hand, it also ensures that the face paper can be firmly stuck to the product after peeling off.
•  Backing Paper Material: Release paper is commonly referred to as “backing paper,” which can isolate the adhesive and is used to stick on thin paper to ensure that it can be easily peeled off from the backing paper. Commonly used are white, blue, and yellow glassine paper or kraft paper and polyester (PET), coated paper, and polyethylene (PE).

Choosing Self-Adhesive Materials

In many cases, small stickers are the essence of a company's image and brand, playing an important role in reflecting product quality and stimulating consumers' desire to buy. So, what should you pay attention to when choosing labels or self-adhesive labels?
Issues to Pay Attention to When Choosing Self-Adhesive Label Materials
1.  For cylindrical bottles, especially those with a diameter of less than 30mm, choose the material with caution.
2.  If the label size is too large or too small, pay attention to actual testing.
3.  If the object to be labeled has an irregular or even spherical surface, pay special attention to the type, thickness, and adhesive of the label material.
4.  Some rough surfaces, such as corrugated cardboard boxes, can affect labeling, and the varnish on the surface of corrugated cardboard boxes can also have an impact.
5.  For automatic labeling machines, labeling tests may be necessary.
6.  Even if the label indicates room temperature, consider whether it has experienced high temperatures during transportation and use for export.
7.  Excessive water or oil can affect the properties of the adhesive, so pay attention to the environment and temperature when labeling.
8.  Plasticizers can sometimes seep out from the surface of soft PVC, so pay special attention to choosing the right adhesive.