Glossary

Adhesive (in the label industry) refers to the substance used to bond a label to a substrate, such as a product package or a shipping container. Adhesives come in many different types and are chosen based on the specific requirements of the label application.

Pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs) are the most common type of adhesive used in label printing. These adhesives are designed to bond to a wide variety of surfaces when pressure is applied, such as the pressure of a hand or a label applicator. PSAs are easy to apply and remove, making them ideal for many applications, including temporary and removable labels. There are four main categories of label adhesives including permanent, removable, repositionable, and temperature-specific.

Other types of adhesives used in label printing include hot melt adhesives, which are melted and applied to the label or substrate, and water-based adhesives, which are applied as a liquid and then dried to form a bond.

Adhesives used in label printing are also classified based on their level of tackiness or adhesive strength. Some labels require a strong adhesive, such as those used for industrial or outdoor applications, while others require a low-tack adhesive, such as those used for temporary or promotional labels. TackTack is the component that adheres to a surface with minimum pressure applied More, shear resistance, adhesion, and environmental factors must first be determined to get the right adhesive that fits your label application.

It is important to choose the appropriate adhesive for the label application to ensure that the label will adhere properly and remain securely attached for the required duration of time. The adhesive must also be compatible with the substrate and any coatings or laminates used on the label.