When it comes to labels, most of the attention falls on design, colour and finishes – the elements consumers see first.
But behind every label lies the all-important label adhesive, which can determine its performance, compliance and shelf appeal.
In challenging markets, including chemicals, pharmaceuticals and homecare, the label adhesive solidifies durability, safety and trust.
The wrong adhesive can lead to peeling, curling, or fading, undermining both brand reputation and regulatory compliance. The correct adhesive, on the other hand, ensures labels remain intact across diverse conditions, from moisture-rich bathrooms to extreme warehouse temperatures.
How to Choose the Right Label Adhesive
Selecting the right label adhesive depends on the product’s intended use and storage conditions. There are a variety of different label adhesives including:
- Permanent – long-lasting, high-bond adhesives typically used on electronic components, food products, and goods with specialised safety indicators.
- High-tack – extremely strong adhesives designed for difficult or low-energy surfaces such as plastics, rough materials, or industrial containers where a secure, long-term bond is essential.
- Removable – easy to peel off without leaving residue, ideal for retail products, promotional labels, or temporary identification.
- Freezer – engineered to perform in cold and moisture-rich environments, maintaining adhesion on frozen or chilled goods throughout storage and transport.
Choosing the correct adhesive ensures your label remains intact and legible throughout its lifecycle—supporting both product performance and brand integrity.
Brands should consider the durability of the labels in relation to their product life cycle as well as the environmental and situational use of their products when selecting the label adhesive. Some are better suited for outdoor or moisture-rich environments, where others are more durable in dry conditions.
How Does a Label Adhesive Affect Labelling Performance
Labels are multi-purpose, but they’re only as strong as the adhesive behind it.
Strong label adhesives, that are specifically paired with a product depending on its function, serve as a tool to support performance.
The wrong labels, such as ones that lift or wrinkle, damage the intended performance of labels. Not only does shelf presentation suffer, but compliance and safety issues could arise.
In challenging markets, including chemicals and pharmaceuticals, labels function as a safety compliance tool. Health, safety, environmental and regulatory information can be obscured with incorrect and poorly performing label adhesives.
Label Adhesives and Shelf Appeal
Packaging and label designs are a strategic tool for brands to communicate professionalism, differentiation and quality on shelves. Creative packaging choices can encourage consumer purchasing decisions – label adhesives are incredibly important in packaging anatomy.
Premium designs can lose effectiveness if labels start to detach in certain conditions and contribute to brand damage. Moisture exposure, temperatures and product surface types can impact the durability of labels and those that perform poorly can look worn and cheap.
The correct choice of label adhesive serve the preservation of aesthetics, brand integrity and compliance.
Label Adhesive and Compliance
Regulatory systems are in place for the safety of consumers and to protect brands. They consider the storage, use and disposal of products and certain markets have stricter regulations. For example, the GHS (Globally Harmonised System) concerns the classification and labelling of chemicals and is legally mandated in many markets.
Durability is incredibly important for products in challenging markets. Some regulations mandate information relating to abrasion resistance, UV light exposure and temperature changes. For particularly hazardous products and chemicals, labels should be tamper-resistant to promote end-user safety.
Label adhesives play a central role in preserving safety and regulatory information, ensuring brand compliance. Failure to do so can result in fines, recalls and reputational damages.
The Challenge of Highly Regulated Markets
Label adhesives push brands to think about the full product life cycle including production, storage, use and disposal. Products can be exposed to the cold during transport, stored outdoors in sunlight, and handled in moisture-rich environments all within their lifetime.
Standard adhesives may peel in a short amount of time leaving safety information illegible and obscured. Products in chemical or pharmaceutical markets often have curved or uneven surfaces, increasing the challenge of adhesive strength. High-performance, solvent-resistant label adhesives are the solution to ensure product security and durability.
In these challenging markets, label adhesives are not just a matter of brand reputation, but a safety and compliance consideration.
How Labels Impact Brand Trust
Packaging is a visual way that your brand communicates with your audience. The quality and durability of labels convey a level of professionalism and reliability.
Consumers may not think consciously about your labels. But they will notice when they’re poor quality. If your labels are wrinkling, peeling and falling off, consumers recognise it, leaving a negative impression.
Packaging and labelling are key to protecting brand integrity, including the adhesive chosen and how your label performance holds up on shelves, in transport and during use.
Enhance consumer trust by giving your labels the attention they deserve. Find out why your label partner can make-or-break your business here.
The All4Labels Solution
Choosing the right label adhesive can be overwhelming. There are lots to choose from and a range of applications and factors to consider. Here at All4Labels, we provide expert guidance to ensure brands make the right choice.
Our team work with you to carry out application analysis in relation to the product surface, usage environment and product life cycle, and recommend label adhesives specifically for your products.
Not only can we help you with recommendations for label adhesives and substates, but our team are on hand to help add a touch of luxury to your product with embellishments as well as tactile varnishes, so your labels are not only durable and compliant, but have great shelf appeal too.
Labels are more than just a design choice – they’re a strategic tool where every component matters. Label adhesives are crucial to label performance, shelf appeal and legal compliance and choosing the wrong adhesives can jeopardise safety and brand integrity.
Get in touch with the All4Labels team to make sure your labels are durable, compliant and visually appealing!