Labeling Innovations from Weber

Unveiling the Remarkable History of Pressure-Sensitive Labels

Have you ever paused to consider the small yet indispensable labels on the products you use daily? From food and beverages to cosmetics and household goods, pressure-sensitive labels (PSLs) have become a cornerstone of modern packaging. But have you ever wondered about their origins or how they came to be? Today, we’ll take a deep dive into the fascinating history of pressure-sensitive labels, illuminating the unsung heroes that enhance our shopping experience by providing crucial information and making products more engaging.

The Genesis of Pressure-Sensitive Labels

The journey of pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSA) began in the early 20th century and marked a breakthrough in adhesive technology. Unlike traditional adhesives that required heat, water, or solvents, PSA allowed materials to adhere simply by applying pressure. This new adhesive innovation created the foundation for labels that could easily bond to surfaces while being repositionable or removable.

It all started with adhesive-coated paper, which enabled labels to be affixed to various surfaces. Initially, applying this adhesive was a labor-intensive process, done manually. However, in 1935, everything changed with the advent of a revolutionary machine that automated the application of adhesive, transforming the labeling industry.

The Breakthrough: R. Stanton Avery’s Vision

A pivotal moment in PSL history came in 1935 with R. Stanton Avery’s invention of the first pressure-sensitive label. Avery’s innovation centered around a self-adhesive label that was not only easier to apply but also more efficient, particularly for packaging and shipping industries. He introduced a permanent adhesive combined with a release paper backing, which marked the birth of the modern pressure-sensitive label. This invention was groundbreaking because it enabled businesses to print directly on the label and apply it effortlessly, without the need for heat or water.

The Revolution: Entering the Era of Pressure-Sensitive Technology

The 1940s ushered in an exciting new era for the labeling industry with the introduction of pressure-sensitive technology. Instead of relying on traditional methods like wet glue or heat, these labels adhered simply through pressure, making them easier to apply and reposition. The new technology quickly gained traction, offering greater convenience and flexibility.

In 1944, Avery founded the Avery Adhesive Company, which later evolved into Avery Dennison. This company played a crucial role in commercializing PSLs and driving their widespread adoption across industries. By the 1950s, pressure-sensitive labels had gained significant popularity, particularly in the food, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods sectors.

Advancing Materials and Expanding Applications

As the technology behind pressure-sensitive adhesives evolved, so did the materials and applications of PSLs. The 1960s saw major strides in self-adhesive materials, including the first barcoded labels, which were transformative for retail and inventory management.

Throughout the 1970s, synthetic materials like polypropylene and polyester began replacing paper as the primary substrates. These new materials were more durable, resistant to moisture, and better suited for use in challenging environments like cold storage or industrial applications. This opened up new possibilities for labeling a broader range of products, from refrigerated items to pharmaceuticals and industrial equipment.

The 1990s marked a further breakthrough with the rise of digital printing technologies. This advancement allowed companies to print PSLs on demand, in smaller quantities, and with greater customization. It also sparked a wave of creative possibilities in label design, particularly for consumer products like cosmetics, beverages, and wines.

The Modern Era: Sustainability and Innovation

One of the most notable developments in recent years is the growing focus on sustainability within the PSL industry. With an increasing demand for eco-friendly solutions, manufacturers have developed biodegradable and recyclable materials, including liners, that reduce waste and environmental impact.

Moreover, PSLs have become a popular medium for innovative designs and interactive features. From scratch-and-sniff labels to heat-sensitive designs that change color, PSLs now offer more than just information—they engage and surprise consumers.

The technology behind PSLs continues to advance with smart labeling, incorporating elements like RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) for enhanced product tracking and security. Additionally, tamper-evident features and specialized adhesives have made these labels even more versatile, ensuring their use across various sectors like logistics, healthcare, and food packaging.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Innovation

Go-Label: Where Quality Labels Meet Affordability!

Hey there, label users! Are you ever in need of labels but cringe at the thought of shelling out a small fortune? Look no further, because we've got just the solution for you - Go-Label.com! In today's blog post, we're going to delve into the world of low-cost labels and labeling supplies, so buckle up and get ready for a thrilling ride.

Affordable Labels Made Easy:
At Go-Label, we understand that labels play a crucial role in various industries, whether it's for packaging, organizing, or promoting your products. But we also recognize the fact that cost can be a major concern, especially for small businesses and startups. That's why we've made it our mission to provide top-quality labels at wallet-friendly prices.

Wide Range of Options:
With Go-Label, you won't have to compromise on quality or settle for a limited selection. We offer a wide range of labeling options to suit different needs and preferences. From customizable adhesive labels to durable shipping labels, we've got you covered.

• Blank thermal-transfer labels
• Blank direct thermal labels
• Color thermal-transfer labels
• Ink jet labels
• Craft beer labels
• Polytag lumber labels

Whether you're looking for labels for your homemade products or need barcodes for inventory management, our extensive collection won't disappoint.

Top-notch Quality:
Now, you might be wondering if our low prices come at the expense of quality. Rest assured, quality is our top priority at Go-Label. We believe that everyone deserves access to reliable labeling supplies without breaking the bank. That's why our team works tirelessly to ensure that our labels meet the highest standards, providing you with durable and professional-looking results every time.

Customer Satisfaction is Our Jam:
We take immense pride in our commitment to customer satisfaction. Our friendly and knowledgeable team is always ready to assist you throughout the labeling process, from selecting the right labels to providing helpful tips and tricks for label application.

You can LiveChat with us from any page of the web site! We can help with orders, make recommendations and look up a product to check stock levels. We strive to make your experience with Go-Label as smooth and delightful as possible.

Paper or plastic?

You have heard this question in the grocery store. However, what do you do when you need a labeling solution to this adage old question? When it comes to labeling, many factors come into play that you may not have even considered. Paper versus plastic refers to both the substrate (what the label is being applied to) and the actual label material itself (paper versus film face sheet).

In labeling, substrate refers to the surface onto which a label is applied. In printing, substrate refers to the surface that is to be printed, meaning that the face material (and top coatings) of a label may also be referred to as a substrate.

The substrate the label is applied is a great starting point to determine the type of adhesive and material that will perform best in the application. The most common substrates are corrugated cardboard shipping boxes and HDPE containers for many markets such as case/pallet labeling, food, and health & beauty to name a few.

A pressure-sensitive label, or self-adhesive label, is made up of three layers: a face stock, an adhesive and a release liner. We refer to this as the "label sandwich." When a label is manufactured, these three components are sandwiched together to create a label material that can be printed on, laminated, die-cut, and finally peeled off and applied to your product.

The facestock is the main part of the label. The material could be paper or film.The adhesive is what makes the label stick to the surface of the product or packaging. Pressure-sensitive adhesive forms a bond when pressure is applied to marry the adhesive with the substrate. The liner is the paper or film that makes up the backing web material.

Check out more information on what is a pressure sensitive label.

The right facestock material must be used to match the application to ensure good adhesion, weather resistance and legibility. Each facestock features certain characteristics for superior performance in specific work environments.

Here are some basic questions you will have to consider for selecting the proper face stock and adhesive combination for the best fit of your label application. 

• What is the substrate the label will be applied to?
• What is the labeling environment?
• What is the temperature range for the product?

Paper The most common and economical type of facestock, paper is used for many simple indoor applications. Paper labels are made of paper. The color, thicknesses, and coatings of paper substrates can vary, but the base layer is still composed of the same raw material.Think short-term labeling.

Plastics BOPP films, PET films and vinyl films that provide greater strength, stiffness, transparency, and resistance to tearing. The flexibility and durability of film label materials allows them to conform and fit about the shape of your product container. Film labels are made from films (like plastic), making them a more durable and flexible material than paper. Designed for longer-lasting applications.

Our world is filled with many complex and complicated products, some of which can be dangerous if handled incorrectly.

And there are times when a product has to have emergency information available to users and first-responders.

This is where a label called an Extended Text Label comes into play. Extended Content Labels (ECLs) are a family of labels designed to increase packaging space to convey in-depth information. If you've ever seen a bottle or a package with a label that folds or pops out, then you've seen at least one type of Extended Content Label.

ECLs are labels made up of multiple panels attached directly to the package that either unfold or unroll to reveal necessary information, such as regulatory requirements, multi-lingual text, promotions, cautionary messages, and much more.

While traditional labels are printed on one side of a piece of material, ECLs will give you more space for product information like ingredients and instructions and can free space up on the front of your label for branding and essential product information.

These labels are usually produced with a hinged format that opens to reveal additional panels that can even fold out additional pages. When you have a lot to say, these pages can contain all your information relevant to your product or business.

ECLs are perfect for communicating data in multiple languages or meet the needs of specific industry requirements like health warnings, application instructions, or warranty information.These types of labels appear in retail packaging, software product labeling, drug facts information, MSDS information, on personal care products or supplements, and food or beverage nutritional fact information.

Also known as multi-ply labels, peel-back or resealable labels, booklet labels and fold-out labels, they combine a Pressure Sensitive Label and a folded or bound outsert that resembles a printed booklet. There is usually a thin strip of clear laminate that has a removable adhesive that allows the booklet to be held closed when applied, opened when needed, and re-closed when done.

Here is a quick video of an extended text label being printed at Weber packaging Solutions.

Watching the video you can see the printed information, usually printed by an offset printer, is fed into the label press where it is sandwiched between the label of label material and the protective laminate covering. It is then die-cut and wound on rolls for use on a label applicator at the manufacturer's facility.

This kind of label becomes important when packaging profiles are small and there is not enough room on labels for your message. Extended Content Labels provide space for more graphics and copy through the use of multiple pages. They are all engineered to do the same thing — increase the amount of space available for text and graphics. Expanded content labels contain more space for information than ordinary labels.

Extended content labels allow the outer label to be decorative and market the product and brand, while the internal layers contain vital information to comply with regulations and inform the consumer about necessary product details.

The most common applications are for pharmaceutical products, clinical trials, nutraceuticals, chemicals, pesticides, weed control products, lubricants, cosmetics and more!

This label offers endless options for customization and meets multi-lingual, regulatory, and marketing objectives. Manufacturing will love it too, there is no adjustment to application equipment required to run this label. The transition is seamless.

What do automotive parts, power tools, fire extinguishers, electronic components and chemical containers have in common?

Surprisingly, they all have one thing in common: they use durable labels somewhere on the product to share important information such as serial numbers, warnings, instructions and more.

A durable label is synthetic carrier of important information/data with an adhesive layer, which is typically affixed to a product or component. Industrial durable labels are designed to resist harsh elements such as solvents, extreme temperatures, and moisture. 

A durable label is intended to remain with a durable good throughout the product’s life, which can be years, and must withstand possible hostile environments such as exposures to chemicals, extreme temperatures, or UV light. Labels need to last a long time so they keep providing end users with vital messaging through scorching sun, bitter cold, harsh chemical environments and more. Additionally, the label often must be recognized by UL as being a component itself of the durable good.

When it comes to durable goods, labels are for life. These labels can include words, pictures, or both, whatever is necessary to identify the contents and their importance. Labels help customers use and maintain their cars, power tools and appliances. And by delivering directions and critical warnings, labels keep people safe.

Durable products, such as tools, automotive parts, warning signs, consumer electronics, industrial machinery and more need labels that will withstand years of repeated use, abuse and harsh weather. 

By definition, a “durable” label is designed to withstand environmental conditions that would normally degrade the printed image and/or jeopardize the integrity of the label construction. In other words, durable labels are meant to be long-lasting and permanent.

• Digiflex White BOPP, a UL-recognized economical polyproplyene material perfect for printing decorative graphics on sporting goods, warning labels, medical device labels, instruction labels and more..
• Digiweb White Vinyl, a UL-recognized material with excellent conformability to curved surfaces. Works well for graphic display POP decals, warehouse shelf bin labels, and more.
• Digiplate PET, a UL-recognized polyester film material (available in white, silver or chrome) that is suitable for flat industrial surfaces. Best suited for warning labels, instruction labels, medical device labels, sporting equipment labels and more. 
• And all labels are given a clear laminate for additional protection.

Durable labels must endure heat, chemicals, solvents, water, mechanical strain and challenging outdoor conditions. Our solvent free label materials are resistant to many conditions, making them a more sustainable and dependable choice for all durable applications. Several of our durable labeling products have been tested and recognized by Underwriters Laboratories Inc. who are an independent product safety testing and certification organization.

Ultimately, a hardy product label is important because it will ensure you meet government regulations, enhance or improve your brand, and will clearly communicate important guidance to avoid misuse of your product.

What are some typical applications where I would need durable labels?

Some typical durable labeling applications include:

• Asset management tags
• Pharmaceutical applications
• Electronic components
• U/L and Military Standard conformance
• Parts manufacturing involving high heat and/or solvents.
• Power tools
• Safety equipment like fire extinguishers
• Automotive products and replacement parts
• Aircraft products and parts
• Medical devices and testing equipment

When you sell a product that is a unique shape, there are many packaging challenges. One such company is Swanson Tool, a Chicagoland-based manufacturer of measuring tools, and the inventor of Speed Squares®. Ironically, framing squares are in the shape of a triangle.  

Swanson was approached by one of their customers about a new packaging configuration for two of their largest framing square sizes.  Typically, the labeling for these items include a large glossy tagstock material that is stapled or glued together, sometimes with an instructional “blue book” contained within.  Because of the odd shape, this is all prepared by hand. 

The new packaging would require more products per case, but the existing labeling solution adds a lot of bulk.  They needed to streamline their labeling, and noticed that some of their competition uses pressure sensitive labels. 

That’s when Swanson decided to call on Weber Packaging.  In their search, they also noted they could use Weber to capitalize on this opportunity to streamline the labeling process as well. 

The primary requirement for this label was that it needed to be removable without leaving any residue behind on the high-quality CNC-machined aluminum framing squares that would frustrate the end user. After all, the preferred location of this new label was directly on top of etched distance and angle markings, essential for the use of the product.