Understanding
Labels

Adhesive Types

The adhesive is the sticky underside of the label. Pressure is required to activate the adhesive, which starts the bonding process to the surface the label is applied to. It is important to choose the right adhesive to ensure the label sticks on application and remains stuck during the life of the product.

We offer a range of adhesives to meet your requirements, from the chiller to freezer, permanent to removable. We’ve explained some of the main types of labels below, and our team of label professionals would be happy to advise you on the right adhesive for your needs. Please contact us to book a no obligation, free expert consultation.

Hot Melt Adhesives

Hot melt adhesives are generally rubber based adhesives that have a high initial tack. When pressure is applied to the adhesive and it is in contact with a surface, the adhesive will begin to “cure” and grip the surface it is applied to. The adhesive is softer compared to acrylic adhesives and as such can bleed into rough surfaces like recycled cardboard to provide excellent adhesion on non-smooth surfaces. As they are rubber based they have poor resistance to high temperatures and UV light and as such should not be used outside for extended periods.

Acrylic Adhesives

Acrylic adhesives are chemically different to hot melt adhesives and have good UV and heat resistant properties. When pressure is applied to the adhesive and it is in contact with a surface, the adhesive will have a lower initial tack compared to the hot melt but over the next 24 hours the adhesion will grow to a high level. As the adhesive is not as soft as the hot melt it does not perform as well on rough surfaces like recycled cardboard. Due to its harder composition acrylic adhesives are more user friendly for conversion and application as the adhesive has less tendency to flow outside the edges of the label.

Removable Adhesives

Removable adhesives have enough tack to grip the surface at the time of application but remain in a state that prevents the adhesive from reaching a higher adhesion level. This provides a degree of repositionability or removability of the label. The performance of removable adhesives can be greatly affected by the surface the label is being applied to and the temperature range the label is exposed to. We always recommend trialling removable adhesives for suitability due to these varying factors.

SQR007 Adhesive

SQR007 is a specialist cold temperature adhesive which is proprietary and exclusive to Hally Labels. SQR007 was developed specifically for the meat industry and is also used in a variety of cold chain labelling applications.

SQR007’s unique cold temperature properties provide superior initial tack, creating a bond that delivers improved security and protection. It has been developed specifically for cold temperature environments and when combined with our Syntherm® top sheet material is the perfect solution for labelling wet and irregular shaped products.

Minimum Application and Service Temperatures

The minimum application temperature of an adhesive refers to the temperature that the adhesive will still have enough tack to adhere well to a surface when applied. For a chiller adhesive this will mean the label will work if it is being applied to a surface that is not under 4°C. It will work if applied above 4°C but will have limited adhesion if applied under 4°C. A freezer adhesive will generally be able to be applied to a surface that is -18°C. It will also work well for temperatures under 0°C. For temperatures above 0°C, a chiller adhesive should be used.

The service temperature range is a band in which the adhesive will keep its adhesion and not break down. Once the label has been applied and it has time to cure (optimum of 24 hours) you can expect the label to remain adhered as long as the surface temperature remains within the specified band. This means a chiller adhesive that has a minimum application temperature of +4°C and a service range of -30°C to + 70°C will be best suited to an application where the label is applied to a chilled product that is then to be frozen.

Free Expert Consultation

Our experienced sales team have extensive expertise in all things labels. We would be pleased to meet with you to discuss your labelling requirements, share our knowledge and develop a solution specifically for you..

Expert Consultation