Do You Need Help Choosing A Label Material?

Do You Need Help Choosing A Label Material?

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Why use Polyester over Vinyl or Vinyl over Polypropylene for labels?

How do you decide what is the correct label material for a label project?

Polypropylene, Polyester and Vinyl are the most common materials used to make labels (when choosing from plastic based materials) and I have been asked these questions many times over the years and for which the answer usually is &#;It depends&#;.

Choosing label material is a function of how the labels will be used and what environment they will be subject to.

At times materials can be interchanged with no ill effects. If the item to be labeled has a very short shelf life and the quantity needed is low, the biggest determining factors are what material is available, cost and what looks the best off the printing press that has the shortest setup time.

Other times the material is so critical that lives are dependent on having a readable label 10 years from the day the label was applied. When car parts are recalled a label may be the only way to track the part back to the manufacturer, when the part was made, and what other cars have installed the part from the same faulty batch. If the tracking number is unreadable the manufacturer would have to recall not only the vehicles with the bad batch of parts but every vehicle that the part was ever installed.

Where do I start when deciding on label material?

It helps to understand some of the pros and cons of each material and to evaluate them against your project&#;s requirements. Our expertise has evolved around industrial, governmental and logistics labeling so a majority of the material we work with is Polyester. Our equipment is &#;roll to roll&#; which means we do not use cut flat sheets like a screen or offset printer might use which influences the material selection available to us.

The type of printing used to make the labels plays a part in in the decision process. I will leave that for a future discussion except to say that when there is not much difference in the performance between one material over another, the printer is likely to steer the end user toward the material that they are most comfortable with.

As I go through the PROS and CONS I will add links to material data sheets to demonstrate specific properties whenever possible.

Polyester Labels

Also known as PET (polyethylene terephthalate) and Mylar. Polyester is light weight, semi-rigid with excellent moisture barrier properties and comes in a wide range of adhesives. A great material when durability and a long life matters.

Pros of Using Polyester Labels:

• Life-Span &#; Labels can last many years (10 years plus in some cases). Although most material manufacturers will not guarantee their materials longer than one or two years to their converters; we tested durability by applying labels to outdoor steel fencing and depending on the material some labels lasted over 10 years.
• High Temp &#; Up to 300° F for short periods of time. (3M )
• Low Temp &#; Usually bottom out at around -40° F. (3M ) Adhesive plays a big part in the actual application temperature. Most cryogenic labels (-320° F) are made with Polypropylene.
• Thickness &#; Thin, normally between 2 and 2.5mil.
• Clarity &#; Very clear but not considered as clear as some Polypropylene. (Fasson )
• Outdoor Stability &#; UV stabilizers can be added for additional protection from the sun exposure. (Flexcon FLX)
• Chemical Resistance &#; Polyesters can stand up some of the most caustic and acidic chemicals. (Link to Resistance Chart)
• Metalized &#; Polyesters can come in matte or bright silver. (Spinnaker )
  Printing Surface &#; Very flat and even for fine high-quality printing. Most Polyesters are coated to receive resin thermal transfer print which is the most durable and scuff resistant type of thermal transfer printing available. (Flexcon FLX)
• Moisture Resistance &#; Offers excellent resistance to water.

Cons of Using Polyester Labels

• Stiffness &#; Polyesters are not very conformable. They should not be used on irregular surfaces or on containers with small circumference which can end up in flagging; the edge of the label wants to peel back.
• Flexibility &#; Not good for squeezable packaging because it tends to pucker at the edges.
• Expense &#; Polyester is generally the most expensive of the three label materials.

Polypropylene Labels

Generally referred to as Polypro, PP or BOPP (Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene) is great low-cost moisture resistant film best used for items with a short life span. Good for short lived products that need moisture resistance such as food packaging.

Pros of Using Polypropylene Labels:

• Cost &#; Very economical for a water-resistant durable label.

• Clarity &#; Ultra-clear Polypropylene when paired with a clear polyester liner helps keep the adhesive side smooth to remove any irregular surface marks that you could get from a kraft liner. (Fasson )
• Low Temp &#; Some cryogenic polypropylene can reach to -320° F. (Fasson )
• Moisture Resistance &#; Offers excellent resistance to water.
• Printing Surface &#; Very smooth for printing fine high-quality images via Flexographic and Thermal Transfer.
• Stiffness &#; Polypropylene is fairly flexible and is less likely to flag when applied to a small circumference container. This makes it a natural choice for small bottles, test tubes and ampules. (Fasson )
• Recyclability &#; Of the three materials, Polypropylene is probably the most easily recycled but only if the object that the label is affixed to is also Polypropylene.

Cons of Using Polypropylene Labels:

• Life-Span &#; Most Polypropylene has a maximum life of around 18 months which can be extended by keeping the labels away from exposure to sun light.
• Digital Printing &#; Depending on the coating and make-up of the Polypropylene, the material can leave streaks. Matte Polypropylene (Spinnaker ) seems to work best in solving this issue which can always be laminated if a gloss look is desired.
• Scuff Resistance &#; When printing via a thermal transfer printer most Polypropylene will only accept a Wax/Resin ribbon which will give only moderate scuff resistance.
• High Temp &#; Lower temperature range (150° &#; 200° F) when compared to Polyester and Vinyl.
• Chemical Resistance &#; The least chemical resistant of the three materials. (Link to Resistance Chart)

Vinyl Labels

Also known as PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) is used in its flexible form for labels because of its ability to conform and for its durability. Vinyl is a good middle of the road material when need for durability and price sensitivity meet.

Pros of Using Vinyl Labels:

• Cost &#; Low-end Vinyl is somewhat less expensive then low-end Polyesters while high-end Vinyl is a lot less expensive then high-end Polyesters.

• Flexibility &#; Or conformability, Vinyl is very good for irregular shaped objects because of its lack of memory (think wet noodle).
• Life-Span &#; Fairly long outdoor life of around 5 years depending on the formulation of the Vinyl.
• Outdoor Stability &#; Has good protection from UV exposure but could yellow over time if not protected by a UV resistant coating or film.
• High Temp &#; Some special Vinyl can reach up to 300° F (3M OFV) for short periods of time but most top out around 275° F.
• Abrasion Resistant &#; The material has great abrasion resistance but must be married with the correct ink or laminate to ensure scuff resistance to print.
• Moisture Resistance &#; Offers excellent resistance to water.
• Chemical Resistance &#; Vinyl can stand up many caustic and acidic chemicals. (Link to Chemical Resistance Chart)

Cons of Using Vinyl Labels:

• Thickness &#; Vinyl thickness usually starts at 3.5mil and can range up to 8mil. Sometimes having a thicker label can be considered a positive property but more material usually means more expense for both the material and shipping costs.
• Printing Surface &#; Not advisable for fine printing such as high-density barcodes.
• Thermal Transfer Print &#; Does not print well with Resin ribbons. Additionally, Vinyl can even be finicky with Wax/Resin ribbons.
• Clarity &#; Not good for ultra-clear projects.

Label Materials Comparison Table:

PropertyPolyesterVinylPolypropylene Life SpanExcellentGood/ExcellentPoor High TempExcellentGoodGood/Poor Low TempGoodGoodExcellent ThicknessThinThickThin Outdoor StabilityExcellentGoodPoor Chemical ResistanceExcellentExcellentGood ClarityExcellentPoorExcellent Printing SurfaceExcellentGoodGood Moisture ResistanceExcellentExcellentExcellent ConformabilityPoorExcellentGood CostHighMediumLow Thermal Transfer PrintingExcellentGood but could smudgeExcellent but could smudge

How do I tell what label material I have?

If you have a label now that is working for you but don&#;t know what the material is there are a couple of easy tests.

First test &#; See if it is Vinyl

Vinyl is the easiest because it is flexible, stretches and is normally thicker than Polyester and Polypropylene. Additionally, it has a plastic smell like a new shower curtain.

Next &#; Is it Polypropylene or Polyester?

If it is not Vinyl, then it is probably a Polypropylene or Polyester. The test to determine which it is, is easy because Polyester sinks in water while Polypropylene floats.

The hardest part of this test is that you must remove all the adhesive from the label first. This can take some time but by rubbing the back of the label with Goo Gone you can easily remove the adhesive. Make sure all adhesive is off before testing the material or you may get a false result.

Once the adhesive is removed put each material in a glass of water and if the label floats it is a polypropylene.

Each of these materials has a wide range of characteristics that can influence the end result!

I hope now you have a better idea of some of the properties needed to judge how well these materials perform in various situations.

For more information, please visit Labeling PET Film Supplier.

Recommended article:
What is PLA Film for Shrink Labeling?

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Polyethylene terephthalate, commonly known as PET film, is a type of plastic film that is widely used across a variety of industries. PET film is known for its excellent strength, durability, and clarity, making it a popular choice for packaging, labeling, and other applications. However, choosing the right PET film for your specific needs can be a daunting task, as there are many different types of PET film available on the market. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive guide to choosing the right PET film.

 

Understanding PET Film Properties

Before choosing PET film, it is important to understand the properties of PET film. PET film is a thermoplastic material that is known for its excellent mechanical and thermal properties. PET film also has properties such as resistance to moisture, chemicals, and UV radiation, making it ideal for outdoor applications. PET film is available in a variety of thicknesses, from films that are less than 0.25 mm thick to heavy-duty films that are over 10 mm thick. PET film is also available in a variety of colors, including clear, white, and colored films.

 

Choosing the Right Thickness

The first step in choosing the right PET film is to determine the thickness required for your application. The thickness of PET film is measured in mils, with 1 mil equal to 0.001 inches. The thickness of PET film required depends on the specific application. For example, thin PET film is ideal for applications that require flexibility and conformability, such as label stock or flexible packaging. Thicker PET film is ideal for applications that require strength and durability, such as electrical insulation or heavy-duty packaging.

 

Choosing the Right Coating

PET film can be coated with a variety of materials to enhance its properties. The most common coatings for PET film are silicone, acrylic, and PVDC (polyvinylidene chloride). Silicone coatings are used to improve the release properties of the film, making it ideal for applications such as label stock or release films. Acrylic coatings are used to improve the printability and adhesion of the film, making it ideal for applications such as graphic overlays or nameplates. PVDC coatings are used to enhance the barrier properties of the film, making it ideal for applications such as food packaging or medical packaging.

 

Choosing the Right Surface Treatment

PET film can also be treated with a variety of surface treatments to improve its properties. The most common surface treatments for PET film are corona treatment and chemical treatment. Corona treatment is a process that exposes the surface of a film to high-frequency electrical discharges, which creates a rough surface that improves the adhesion of inks, coatings, and adhesives. Chemical treatment is a process that treats the surface of a film with chemicals to improve its surface properties, such as adhesion or printability.

 

 

Choosing the Right Color

PET film is available in a variety of colors, including clear, white, and colored films. The choice of color depends on the specific application. Clear films are ideal for applications that require transparency, such as packaging or windows. White films are ideal for applications that require opacity, such as labels or reflective insulation. Colored films are ideal for applications where aesthetics or branding are important, such as graphic overlays or decorative laminates.

 

Choosing the right PET film for your specific needs requires careful consideration of the film's properties, thickness, coatings, surface treatments, and color. By understanding the properties of PET film and the specific requirements of your application, you can make an informed decision to select a PET film that will meet your needs and provide the performance you need.

Are you interested in learning more about pvdc coated bopp film? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!