Pressure-sensitive labels are a common labeling solution widely used in packaging operations. These labels, made of plastic or paper with pre-applied adhesive on the back, can firmly adhere to various packaging surfaces, including rigid plastic, glass, and paperboard cylindrical containers, as well as flexible pouches.
Pressure-sensitive labels come in two forms: individual sheets for manual application and roll-fed labels for high-speed machine application on production lines. To prevent premature adhesive activation, a release liner coats the adhesive surface area, which is removed before the labeling machine applies the label.
The development of pressure-sensitive labels has revolutionized packaging operations. In early packaging, brand names and required information were typically printed directly onto the packaging surface, a slow and costly process that required a smooth, ink-friendly container surface. The introduction of hand-applied labels improved productivity and cost-effectiveness, enabling packagers to use the same container shape for various products by changing the label. The subsequent adoption of pre-applied pressure-sensitive adhesives and automatic labeling machines further enhanced efficiency.
Initially, early pressure-sensitive adhesives permanently fixed labels in place, necessitating label removal for recycling rigid glass and plastic packaging. As recycling became more prevalent, adhesive manufacturers developed water-soluble pressure-sensitive adhesives, allowing easy label removal before recycling. This feature also enables packagers to reuse unlabeled packaging by removing the old label and replacing it with a new one.
If the pressure-sensitive label requires production or regulatory coding, CIJ (Continuous Inkjet) printers or laser systems can be used to print on the label after it’s applied.
Pressure-sensitive labels are commonly found on rigid plastic and glass containers for food packaging and are increasingly used on flexible packaging as well, offering a versatile and efficient labeling solution for various packaging needs.