Format
Selection criteria for the right choice of your labels
Nowadays there are a variety of different labels that can be optimally adapted to your wishes and requirements as well as the respective area of use (indoor or outdoor). That's why it's often not easy to make a clear decision. We at Integer Solutions will help you make a decision and show you which criteria need to be taken into account in advance.
Use – indoor or outdoor area
Basically, you first have to decide whether the labels should be used indoors or outdoors. It is important to take into account what external influences and conditions prevail. Labels for outdoor use are, among other things, exposed to strong weather conditions and must be able to withstand them. Based on the conditions, the material and of course the print should be resistant to strong sunlight, rainwater and other environmental influences. Another important factor is the adhesive. Depending on the type of adhesion, it should not lose its adhesive strength in cold, damp or strong heat.
If labels are needed indoors, for example in a warehouse, external influences are eliminated. Since the requirements for these labels are not as high as those for outdoor use, indoor labels can often be more cost-effective. Once you have decided whether you need labels for indoor or outdoor use, you can next ask yourself the question of the right material.
Selection criteria for the appropriate label material
Material types of labels
Labels with plastic film
The surface of the plastic film labels is made of polyester. The advantage of these labels is their longevity and resistance to liquids such as water, oil and fluctuating temperatures. This makes these labels ideal for outdoor use.
Paper labels
Paper is a natural product and inexpensive to purchase. The label paper can be printed in very good print quality. This material is also particularly easy to process. Unfortunately, paper is less resilient when exposed to mechanical stress or liquids. The use of paper labels is particularly suitable for indoor use. Labels should be provided with surface protection when used outdoors.
Thermal coated paper
The thermal paper consists of a special type of paper that is ideal for direct thermal printing. The side to be printed is provided with a temperature-sensitive layer. The dye is formed under the influence of heat.
Cardboard labels
Cardboard labels are made of stronger material than paper and have no glue, which can be printed on both sides if required. Cardboard labels are used, for example, to be inserted into plastic containers or as hang tags.
Choose the right size, format and core diameter
In order for your label to fit perfectly on your product, the dimensions of the label must be exactly correct and adjusted. It is essential that the size of the label is determined in advance - in mm and height x width. In addition to the size, the format of the label sheet or label fanfold plays another important role. The core diameter for 
Commercially available rolls can be 19mm, 25mm, 40mm or 76mm. The measurement is taken from the inner core, which is placed on the device. The outer diameter is also known as the maximum diameter and is determined by the label printer.
The different printing processes
When printing, a distinction is made between two printing processes – direct thermal printing or thermal transfer printing.
Thermal transfer printing
If you print with thermal transfer printing, the longevity of the print on the label is often longer and can be read even after years. You can use materials made of paper and plastic here.
Direct thermal printing
If you print using the direct thermal printing process, the only consumable material that is printed is a thermosensitive material. Heat turns the paper black. The thermal paper is heated at specific points in the printer by small heating elements at the points to be written on. Only single-color printing is possible with this process. Due to their temperature sensitivity, these labels are often used on receipts, tickets, etc
Choosing the right glue
Another important criterion when choosing the label is the right adhesive, which must be chosen carefully with regard to environmental influences. The types of glue vary between “removable”, “permanent” and even “highly permanent”. If the label is removable, no residue will be left when removed, whereas this is often not the case with permanent adhesive - but this sometimes also depends on the surface condition. For round objects, it must also be ensured that the label is resistant to bending and does not come off due to the shape of the surface. There are also types of glue that dissolve after a certain amount of time or even freezer glue. As the name suggests, freezer adhesive is mainly used for labeling frozen goods that have to withstand temperature fluctuations of +50 to -40 degrees. Due to its special rubber coating, it is not only suitable for the frozen sector, but also for labeling products under normal temperature conditions.
Surface appearance and perforation
To ensure that the label looks just right, you can choose between matt and glossy. Depending on your needs, the label can also be perforated, which makes it easier to tear off. Holes are punched before and after the label. Alternatively, barcode printers with dispensers or cutters can be used to make handling the labels easier.
Label materials in combination with the right ribbon/carbon ribbon
When printing labels with a thermal transfer printer, the ribbon to be used plays an important role and is crucial to the durability and type of use of a label.
The most common ribbon variants are:
- Wax band: inexpensive - but hardly scratch- and smudge-proof and therefore more suitable for short-term applications (usually in combination with paper labels)
- Wax/resin ribbon: Good print quality and sufficient scratch and smudge resistance and therefore suitable for many areas of application
- Resin band: Very good scratch and smudge resistance, making it ideal for labels with high quality requirements.
Conclusion
Three factors play a major role in finding the right label:
- The label material
- The combination of label and thermal transfer ribbon
- The label printer
What is important is the correct interaction of all three factors. Take advantage of our many years of experience here. We will advise you without obligation and give you recommendations for the correct composition or selection of your individual label requirements.