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 Types
of Stickers and Labels
There
are many different kinds of labels that people can use. All these labels
are classified according to the base material and the type of adhesive.
More and more people have to come to realize the importance of labels
and stickers in the promotion of their products and services. But which
type of label should a businessperson have? Before ordering labels, one
should first know the different types of labels that can be used by the
business.
All stickers and labels are categorized in two
ways. First,
stickers
are classified according to the type of base material on which the label
is printed on. This base material is called the “stock”. Second, labels
are classified according to the type of adhesive used for the label.
Types of Labels According to Stock
- Paper – This is the most common
type of stock. A label created using the paper stock is the one often
referred to as a “sticker”.
- Litho – It is also a common base
stock. It is a smooth non-gloss stock. Very easy to
write or print on.
- Latex – It is the same litho
stock, but a material called “latex” is added. This latex makes the
label more pliant and can be used for curved surfaces.
- Plastic – Labels using plastic are
more flexible yet more durable than latex, litho, or paper. One can
create transparent labels out of plastic stock. But these labels need to
be created using a special printing method, such as ultraviolet curing.
An example of a label using a plastic stock is the bumper sticker. A
bumper sticker uses the plastic called vinyl. Other plastic stocks are
acetate and PET film.
- Foil – Labels that utilizes that
foil stock usually have shiny surfaces, yet these labels are also
flexible enough to be used on curved surfaces.
- Thermal – This type of stock has
the characteristic of changing colors when exposed to higher
temperatures. Unfortunately, labels made of such stock do not last long.
The images on the label will fade.
Types of Labels According to Adhesive Type
- Permanent Adhesives – The most
common and least expensive adhesive type which is used by manufacturers
of self-adhesive papers. Obviously, when a label using a permanent
adhesive is placed on a surface, this label is not supposed to be
removed. Labels that use permanent adhesives can be removed only when
one resorts to solvents. And usually, the label is destroyed.
- Removable Adhesives –
Stickers using this adhesive type holds fast
and do not easily fall off. But these labels can be removed from the
surface on which it was placed. Upon removal, the label is not destroyed
and the adhesive stays with the label, not on the surface. Then, this
label can adhere again on another surface.
- Semi-permanent Adhesives – This
adhesive type does not instantly create a strong bond with the surface.
That is, when the label is placed wrongly, the label can still be fixed,
as long as not more than 48 hours have passed. This is why
semi-permanent adhesives are also called repositionable adhesives.
- Freezer permanent Adhesives – Such
adhesives are for labels that holds fast to a surface when the
temperatures have gone extremely low, even below zero Celsius. When the
temperature goes higher, the label can be easily removed.
There are also several types of
security stickers or security labels. Each
type corresponds to a unique security need.
Choosing the type of label may not depend only on stock and adhesive
type. Choosing the type of label will depend on the purpose of the
label. One should thoroughly discuss with the label manufacturer the
specific purpose for having the stickers and
labels. And it will be best to contact a label and sticker manufacturer
which is capable of producing various types of labels.
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