Label spec matcher
Which label construction survives your surface?
Tell us where the label lives, what it sticks to and how it is printed. You get a real starting construction: facestock, adhesive, finish, imaging and format.
- 3 questions
- Updates as you answer
- No email needed
Your application
Tell us about the job
How it chooses
How does the matcher choose a construction?
Each answer sets part of the label. One caution applies: the first rule below that matches.
Answer the three questions to see which rule applies.
Start the matcher| Part of the label | Where | Surface | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Facestock | Sets it | Sets it | Sets it |
| Adhesive | Sets it | Sets it | |
| Finish | Sets it | ||
| Imaging | Sets it | Sets it | |
| Format | Sets it |
Checked in order, top to bottom
First match wins
01Direct thermal, outdoorsYour match
Direct thermal fades under UV and heat, so expect months rather than years. For outdoor legibility, move to thermal transfer with a resin ribbon.
02Direct thermal, harsh environmentYour match
Direct thermal coatings darken with heat and lift with solvents. In a harsh environment, thermal transfer with a resin ribbon is the reliable path.
03Colour on demandYour match
Dye based inks are not waterfast. If the label meets moisture, specify pigment ink or add an overlaminate.
04Rough, textured or powder coated surfaceYour match
Rough and powder coated surfaces need dwell time. Expect reduced initial tack and plan for 24 to 72 hours before the bond reaches full strength.
05Curved, flexible or small diameter surfaceYour match
On a tight radius the label peels from the trailing edge. Radius the corners, keep the facestock thin, and avoid bridging a compound curve.
06Cold chainYour match
Application temperature matters more than storage temperature. Applied below freezing, the adhesive must be rated for cold application, not just cold service.
07OutdoorYour match
Specify the required service life up front. Two years and ten years are different constructions and different prices.
08Harsh environmentYour match
Tell us which chemicals and at what concentration. Chemical resistant is not a single property.
09Everything elseYour match
Bring us a sample of the surface. A five minute peel test settles more arguments than a week of datasheets.
Asked on the floor
The five questions that decide a label
Straight answers from the materials record the matcher runs on.
Which label material survives outdoors?
White PET with an all weather permanent acrylic and a UV stable gloss overlaminate. Run your own conditions through the matcher above to confirm it.
Can I use direct thermal labels outdoors?
Direct thermal fades under UV and heat, so expect months rather than years. For outdoor legibility, move to thermal transfer with a resin ribbon.
What sticks to a rough or powder coated surface?
Rough and powder coated surfaces need dwell time. Expect reduced initial tack and plan for 24 to 72 hours before the bond reaches full strength.
What changes for a freezer label?
Application temperature matters more than storage temperature. Applied below freezing, the adhesive must be rated for cold application, not just cold service.
Why does my label peel off a curved surface?
On a tight radius the label peels from the trailing edge. Radius the corners, keep the facestock thin, and avoid bridging a compound curve.
Last reviewed
Get a label quote
Bring us the problem, not the part number.
Tell us what is failing, or what you are about to launch. A label engineer, not a call centre, will come back with a construction, a sample plan and pricing.
Send what you already have
A photo of the core label, a failing sample, or three lines about the application. Half a spec is enough to start.
A label engineer reads it
Not a sales queue. The person who replies specifies label constructions for a living.
You get a construction and a sample plan
Usually within one business day, written so it can be repeated, and tested on your line before you commit.
Or reach us directly
A label engineer will come back to you, usually within one business day.
Please check the required fields and your email address, then send again, or call 800-263-4258.
Attached to your message
Start the matcherNo spec yet. Use the matcher above, or describe the job below.