What are product labels like and what are they made of?

Product labeling is common and we can see it on almost any product, but what do we really know about these labels? Are there differences between them? What materials are used for these? Well, we are going to try to reveal and explain, in a simple way, the types of materials used for the manufacture of labels and the most common types of labels, which we can find in any store or supermarket.

Label material

Before looking at the type of labels, we must know what materials these labels are made of. At first glance it may seem that they are adhesive paper strips on which something and little else has been printed, but it is not like that, there are different materials:

• Coated or coated paper: It is the most used for the labeling of consumer products. The quality of this product is standard and offers a great quality / price ratio. It is a type of paper to which a layer of stucco is added, a system that combines high-strength adhesives and mineral pigments, which allows the colors that are printed on them to last longer. For this type of labels full color label printers are often used
• Laid paper: It is the classic paper, which offers a good appearance and resists rubbing well. They have transverse markings of a thickness that varies according to the surface, which can even be seen against the light. It has a rustic touch and is often used for wines and spirits. They are the most common in digital printing for packaging
• Tintoretto:
  • Black: Used for glass containers, which withstands immersion in water and ice well.
  • Unc: Matte, fluted, elegant paper, especially used in quality wines. Ideal for embossing and stamping.
• Pale metallic: Used for high-quality products that, above all, will be subjected to high humidity and cold. They have a metallic foil on which the impression is made. They are usually silver or gold, with various types of shine or matt.
• Pearlized: It has a great resistance. It usually has pearlescent pigments and good print quality. Quality labeling.

Uses of labels

We know more or less the types of labels most used today, now we only have to know in which products or what labeling techniques exist and are the most common in the market.

• About product: Self-adhesive roll labels that have up to eight colors and a varnish, which are used in stamping, laminating, on paper fronts, metallization and films. Are the standard adhesive labels for different types of paper.
• Thermal: They are often used in electronic supermarket scales. They can be anonymous or printed in up to eight colors, on unprotected materials, with half or double protection against humidity and fats or oils.
• For encoding: It is a type of thermal transfer with variable data for the certification of articles that belong to the stock of warehouses or labels used for logistics and transport. Quality papers such as coated, transfer or polyester are often used.
• White / neutral: White roll labels designed to be printed by thermal transfer or by direct thermal transfer for variable printing or item references for warehouses, logistics and transport labeling.
• Plastics: Labels of up to eight colors plus varnishing, stamping or laminating on paper, polypropylene, polyethylene fronts, etc.
• Cardboard: They can have glossy or semi-glossy fronts, thermals or with a grammage ranging from 120 grams to 250 grams. They can be printed on the front with the label on the back.