Understanding Barcode Label Adhesives: Choosing the Right Adhesive

Posted by Midwest Barcoding Solutions on Feb 20th 2025

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The Importance of Thermal Labels in Every Industry

Thermal Labels are an integral part of nearly every industry, serving applications in retail, logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and beyond. These labels are used for inventory tracking, shipping, asset management, and compliance labeling. However, one of the most critical yet often overlooked aspects of barcode labels is their adhesive. The right adhesive ensures that labels remain securely attached, even in the most challenging conditions.

While labels are expected to stick, not all surfaces and labeling environments are the same. Selecting the right barcode label adhesive requires consideration of various factors such as:

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Application Surface
Smooth, rough, porous, or non-porous.

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Temperature Conditions
Surface temperature at the time of application and environmental temperatures.

 

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Exposure to Elements
Moisture, grease, oil, or dirt.

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Duration of Adhesion
Temporary, long-term, or permanent applications.

Understanding these factors is essential to ensure a successful labeling outcome and to prevent issues like label peeling, detachment, or degradation over time.


Common Barcode Label Adhesives and Their Applications

Barcode label adhesives are available in different formulations to meet specific application needs. Below are the most commonly used types:

Permanent Acrylic Adhesive
Strong bond for various surfaces, durable over time.

Best For:
Shipping, product labeling, retail tags, asset tracking.

Considerations:
Difficult to remove without residue.

Removable Adhesive
Temporary bond, easy to remove without residue.

Best For:
Price tags, promo stickers, temporary inventory labels.

Considerations:
May lose adhesion over time.

Repositionable Adhesive
Allows labels to be reapplied multiple times.

Best For:
Adjustable labels, reusable shipping labels.

Considerations:
Ideal when precise placement is needed.

 

All-Temp Adhesive
Performs well in varying temperatures.

Best For:
Cold storage, warehouses, shipping labels.

Considerations:
May not work in extreme heat.

Freezer Adhesive
Adheres in sub-zero temperatures.

Best For:
Food packaging, pharmaceuticals, frozen goods.

Considerations:
Application temperature affects performance.

High Tack Adhesive
Aggressive bond for rough or textured surfaces.

Best For:
Industrial equipment, outdoor labeling, greasy surfaces.

Considerations:
Difficult to remove; may leave residue.

 

Tamper-Evident Adhesive
Shows clear signs of tampering.

Best For:
Security labels, warranty seals, compliance labeling.

Considerations:
Cannot be removed cleanly.

Void Adhesive
Leaves a VOID message if removed.

Best For:
Security tags, asset tracking, warranty labels.

Considerations:
Single-use; voids upon removal.

Opaque Adhesive
Covers existing information or barcodes.

Best For:
Label corrections, rebranding, product updates.

Considerations:
Not suitable for transparent labeling.


Finding the Right Label and Adhesive Combination

Most barcode label manufacturers offer standard labels using permanent acrylic adhesives, as they cover a broad range of applications. However, specialized adhesives, such as high tack, freezer, or tamper-evident, often have more limited size and format availability. If a specific combination of label size, format (printer core size), and adhesive does not exist off-the-shelf, custom manufacturing is the best solution.

Midwest Barcoding Solutions is one of the nation’s leaders in custom barcode labeling solutions, offering tailored label designs and adhesives to meet unique industry requirements.

Ensure the Right Adhesive for Your Needs

When choosing a barcode label, it is essential to consider the environment and the challenges the adhesive must overcome. Factors like surface material, temperature fluctuations, exposure to elements, and label longevity all impact adhesion success.

Selecting the correct thermal label adhesive ensures labels remain affixed for the duration required while preventing unnecessary failures such as peeling or falling off. Whether using a standard permanent adhesive or a high-performance specialty adhesive, knowing your labeling environment is the key to ensuring a successful and reliable labeling outcome.


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