Label Adhesive Guide

Why Label Adhesive Selection Is Critical

While substrate selection often receives primary attention in label design, adhesive choice is equally critical to label performance. The most beautifully printed label on premium substrate becomes worthless if the adhesive fails, causing labels to peel, fall off, or leave unwanted residue.

At ASAS Label in Umm Al Quwain, UAE, we understand that adhesive performance determines label success. Our extensive experience serving UAE's demanding climate—with extreme heat, humidity variations, and diverse application surfaces—has built deep expertise in adhesive selection and optimization.

Adhere immediately upon application (initial tack)

Stay bonded throughout the product lifecycle

Withstand environmental stresses (temperature, moisture, chemicals, UV)

Perform on challenging surfaces (low-energy plastics, textured containers)

Meet functional requirements (permanent, removable, tamper-evident)

Comply with regulations (food contact, pharmaceutical, chemical labeling)

Understanding Label Adhesives

What is Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive (PSA)?

‍Pressure-sensitive adhesive forms the critical bonding layer in self-adhesive labels, creating permanent or removable bonds when pressure is applied—without requiring water, solvent, or heat activation.

The PSA Label Construction

Face Stock (Substrate) - Printable surface

Adhesive Layer (PSA) - Bonding layer

Release Liner (Backing) - Protective layer

The Bonding Process

1. Initial Contact: Adhesive contacts application surface
‍2. Wetting: Adhesive flows into surface irregularities
‍3. Molecular Attraction: Van der Waals forces create bond
‍4. Adhesion Build: Bond strength increases over time (24-72 hours)

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Critical Adhesive Properties

Initial Tack: Immediate grab when first applied
‍Ultimate Adhesion: Maximum bond strength after curing
‍Shear Strength: Resistance to sliding under load
‍Temperature Range: Application and service temperatures

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Adhesive Performance Categories

Permanent Adhesives

Create strong, long-lasting bonds designed to resist removal. Attempting to peel permanent labels typically results in label tearing or adhesive transfer.

Key Characteristics:

Very high ultimate adhesion (12-20+ N/25mm)
Strong initial tack for immediate bonding
Increasing bond strength over 24-72 hours
Most economical adhesive category

Ideal Applications:

Product identification labels
Shipping and logistics labels
Asset tracking and inventory
Regulatory and compliance labels

Removable Adhesives

Balance initial bonding strength with clean removal capability, allowing labels to be peeled off without residue, tearing, or surface damage.

Key Characteristics:

Moderate initial tack (sufficient for secure bonding)
Controlled ultimate adhesion (5-10 N/25mm)
Clean removal for 6-12 months typically
Premium pricing (15-30% more than permanent)

Ideal Applications:

Promotional and temporary marketing
Retail pricing labels and tags
Reusable container labels
Event and seasonal products

Repositionable Adhesives

Allow multiple removal and reapplication cycles without significant loss of tack or adhesive transfer.

Key Characteristics:

Low to moderate initial tack
Multiple application cycles (5-20+)
Microsphere technology for minimal contact
Premium pricing (30-50% more than permanent)

Ideal Applications:

Multi-use labels requiring repositioning
Construction and layout guides
Temporary signage and displays
Instructional labels

Tamper-Evident & Security Adhesives

Provide visual indication of label removal attempts, combining security features with adhesive properties.

Key Characteristics:

Ultra-high adhesion (destructible removal)
VOID patterns revealed upon removal
Often paired with frangible face stocks
Security and authentication functions

Ideal Applications:

Promotional and temporary marketing
Retail pricing labels and tags
Reusable container labels
Event and seasonal products

Adhesive Chemistry Types

The chemical composition of pressure-sensitive adhesives fundamentally determines performance characteristics, cost, and application suitability.

Rubber-Based (Hot Melt)

Advantages:

Excellent initial tack
Soft and conformable
Good low-temp performance (-30°C)
Cost-effective

Limitations:

Moderate heat resistance (to +80°C)
UV sensitivity and yellowing
Limited chemical resistance

Best for: General purpose labels, corrugated boxes, food & beverage
‍

Acrylic Adhesives

Advantages:

Excellent UV resistance
Superior heat resistance (to +150°C)
Outstanding aging (10+ years)
Chemical resistance

Limitations:

Moderate initial tack
Harder composition
Premium cost (20-40% more)

Best for: Outdoor labels, high-temperature, premium products, UAE climate

Silicone Adhesives

Advantages:

Extreme temp range (-60°C to +200°C)
Chemical inertness
Low surface energy bonding
Biocompatibility

Limitations:

Very high cost (3-5x standard)
Specialty application only
Extended lead times

Best for: Medical devices, extreme temperatures, chemical processing
‍

Temperature-Specific Adhesives

Varnishes and coatings provide protective layers and aesthetic enhancements, ranging from overall coverage to selective spot applications.

Freezer-Grade Adhesives

Maintain tack and bonding capability at sub-zero temperatures where standard adhesives fail catastrophically.

The Freezer Challenge:

Standard permanent adhesives lose tackiness below 5-10°C and fail completely in true freezer conditions (-18°C to -40°C). The adhesive becomes brittle and glass-like.

Key Features:

Low-temperature flexibility to -40°C or below
Aggressive tack on frozen surfaces
Moisture resistance from condensation
Service range: -65°C to +150°C

UAE Cold Chain Applications:

Frozen food distribution
Pharmaceutical cold storage
Industrial cold storage facilities
Food service and hospitality

High-Temperature Adhesives

Maintain bond integrity under elevated temperature conditions where standard adhesives soften, flow, or completely fail.

Temperature-Related Failures:

Softening (60-80°C): Labels slide or creep, edge oozing
Flow (80-100°C): Complete label migration
Degradation (100°C+): Chemical breakdown

Key Features:

Acrylic Standard: -40°C to +120°C
Acrylic Premium: -40°C to +150°C
Specialty Extreme: Up to +200°C+

UAE Cold Chain Applications:

Automotive engine compartments
Industrial equipment labeling
Outdoor equipment (70-80°C surface temps)
Non-climate-controlled warehouses (50-55°C)

All-Temperature Adhesives

Bridge the gap between freezer and high-temperature requirements, offering versatility across extreme temperature ranges.

Key Characteristics:

Wide service range: -40°C to +150°C
Excellent temperature cycling resistance
Suitable for variable storage conditions
Premium pricing (combines multiple benefits)

UAE Relevance:

Products entering UAE through refrigerated containers (10-15°C), stored in freezer warehouses, then displayed in ambient or heated retail environments experience dramatic temperature swings. All-temperature adhesives maintain reliable bonding throughout these transitions.

Surface-Specific Applications

Application surface characteristics fundamentally determine adhesive requirements and performance potential.

Surface Energy and Adhesive Compatibility

Surface energy (measured in dynes/cm) indicates how readily a surface accepts adhesive bonding. Higher surface energy equals easier bonding.

High Surface Energy

>40 dynes/cm

Glass, aluminum, steel, ceramic

All adhesive types bond excellently

Medium Surface Energy

35-40 dynes/cm

PVC, PET, coated papers

Most adhesives perform well

Low Surface Energy

<35 dynes/cm

PE, PP, PTFE, silicones

Requires specialized LSE adhesives

Textured and Rough Surfaces

Surface texture dramatically impacts adhesive contact area and bonding effectiveness.

Challenges:

Limited contact area (peaks only)
Air pockets in valleys prevent bonding
Standard adhesives bridge gaps poorly

Solution:

High-tack, conformable adhesives
Higher coating weights (25-30 g/m²)
Rubber-based hot melt preferred
Firm application pressure

Curved and Compound Surfaces

Surface curvature affects label conformability requirements and adhesive performance.

Curvature Categories:

Slightly curved (>75mm): Standard adhesives suitable
Highly curved (40-75mm): High tack adhesives required
Very curved (<40mm): Ultra-high tack or LSE needed

Considerations:

Substrate experiences tension on curves
Flexible films preferred over paper
Edge lifting risk on tight curves

Industry Applications Guide

Different industries present unique adhesive requirements based on regulatory standards, environmental conditions, and functional needs.

Food & Beverage Industry

Must balance performance with regulatory compliance, ensuring no migration of adhesive components.

Dry foods: General purpose permanent/removable
‍Refrigerated: Chiller-grade acrylic (4°C min)
‍Frozen: Freezer-grade hot melt (-40°C)
‍Beverages: Ice bucket resistance, condensation tolerance

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Pharmaceutical Industry

Strictest regulatory environment requiring comprehensive documentation and compliance.

Prescription: Tamper-evident, long shelf life
‍OTC products: Permanent with tamper features
‍Cold chain: Freezer-grade (-20°C to -80°C)
‍Medical devices: Autoclave resistant (121°C)

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Industrial & Chemical Products

Face harsh environments requiring maximum durability and chemical resistance.

Mild chemicals: Permanent with moderate resistance
‍Harsh chemicals: Acrylic/silicone, GHS compliance
‍Automotive fluids: Oil and solvent resistance
‍Outdoor equipment: UV-resistant acrylic (5-10 years)

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Asset Tracking & Durable Goods

Require exceptional longevity and environmental resistance.
‍

Indoor assets: Permanent acrylic (5-10+ years)
‍Outdoor assets: UV-resistant acrylic (10+ years)
‍High-value: Tamper-evident for security
‍UAE facilities: Extreme temperature and UV resistance

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UAE Climate Considerations

The United Arab Emirates presents unique adhesive challenges requiring specialized knowledge and material selection.

Extreme Heat Effects

Summer Temperature Profile:

Ambient: 40-50°C typical
Direct sun: 60-80°C on surfaces
Vehicle interiors: 60-70°C+
Warehouses: 45-55°C internal

Heat-Related Failures:

Edge lifting and curling
Complete detachment
Industrial cold storage facilities
Food service and hospitality

Solution: Acrylic adhesives for high-temperature exposure

Humidity & Moisture

Coastal Region Humidity:

Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah experience 60-90% relative humidity, particularly during summer months.

Effects:

Paper dimensional changes
Adhesive softening
Edge curling
Condensation challenges

Solution: Film substrates with moisture-resistant adhesives

UV Radiation

UAE Sun Intensity:

Year-round intense sunlight with UV index reaching 11+ (extreme) during summer months.

UV Effects:

Hot melt: Yellowing in 3-6 months
Adhesive degradation and tack loss
Acrylic: 5-10+ years outdoor life

Solution: Acrylic adhesives mandatory for outdoor labels

Adhesive Selection Framework

Systematic adhesive selection ensures optimal performance for your specific application.

1 Define Application Surface

Material type, surface energy, texture, shape, and cleanliness

2 Determine Environmental Conditions

Temperature profile, indoor/outdoor, moisture, chemical exposure, UV exposure, physical abuse

3 Identify Functional Requirements

Permanence level, lifespan, regulatory compliance, aesthetic requirements, application method

4 Consider Economic Factors

Volume, performance criticality, time-to-market, stock vs. custom lead times

5 Test and Validate

Request samples, apply to actual containers, age under real conditions (72 hours minimum)

Common Application Scenarios

Water Bottles (PET), UAE Retail

Surface: PET bottle, medium-high surface energy
‍Environment: Refrigerated display, ice bucket exposure
‍Adhesive: General purpose permanent acrylic
‍Substrate: Clear or white BOPP film

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Shampoo Bottles (PE), Squeezable

Surface: Polyethylene, low surface energy, flexible
‍Environment: Bathroom humidity, shower splash
‍Adhesive: Low surface energy (LSE) permanent
‍Substrate: PE film for flexibility

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Outdoor Equipment, UAE Climate

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Surface: Metal, painted surfaces, plastics
‍Environment: Direct sunlight, extreme heat (60-80°C), UV
‍Adhesive: UV-resistant acrylic, high temperature
‍Substrate: PET film with UV-stable inks

Frozen Food Packaging

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Surface: Corrugated box or plastic film, frozen
‍Environment: -18°C to -40°C freezer storage
‍Adhesive: Freezer-grade hot melt (all-temperature)
‍Substrate: BOPP or PE film

Technical Specifications

Adhesive Performance Comparison

Adhesive Type	Initial Tack	Ultimate Adhesion	Temp Range	Chemical Resist.	UV Resist	Cost Index
Hot Melt (Standard)	Very High	High	-20°C to +80°C	Poor	Poor	1.0
Hot Melt (Freezer)	Very High	High	-40°C to +80°C	Poor	Poor	1.2-1.3
Emulsion Acrylic	Moderate	Very High	-40°C to +120°C	Good	Excellent	1.3-1.5
Solvent Acrylic	Moderate-High	Very High	-40°C to +150°C	Excellent	Excellent	1.5-1.8
Removable (Acrylic)	Low-Moderate	Moderate	-20°C to +80°C	Moderate	Good	1.4-1.6
Repositionable	Low	Low	-10°C to +60°C	Poor	Moderate	1.8-2.2
Silicone	Low-Moderate	High	-60°C to +200°C	Excellent	Excellent	3.0-5.0

Adhesive Type	Initial Tack	Ultimate Adhesion
Hot Melt (Standard)	Very High	High
Hot Melt (Freezer)	Very High	High
Emulsion Acrylic	Moderate	Very High
Solvent Acrylic	Moderate-High	Very High
Removable (Acrylic)	Low-Moderate	Moderate
Repositionable	Low	Low
Silicone	Low-Moderate	High

Temp Range	Chemical Resist.	UV Resist	Cost Index
-20°C to +80°C	Poor	Poor	1.0
-40°C to +80°C	Poor	Poor	1.2-1.3
-40°C to +120°C	Good	Excellent	1.3-1.5
-40°C to +150°C	Excellent	Excellent	1.5-1.8
-20°C to +80°C	Moderate	Good	1.4-1.6
-10°C to +60°C	Poor	Moderate	1.8-2.2
-60°C to +200°C	Excellent	Excellent	3.0-5.0

*Cost Index: Hot melt standard permanent = 1.0 baseline

Peel Adhesion (180-Degree Peel Test):

Summer Temperature Profile:

Standard: ASTM D3330, FINAT FTM 1, PSTC-101
Measurement: Force (N/25mm) to remove label at 180° angle
Typical values: Removable 5-10 N/25mm, Permanent 10-20+ N/25mm

Tack (Quick Stick Test):

Standard: ASTM D2979, FINAT FTM 9, PSTC-5
Measurement: Force to separate probe immediately after contact

Shear Adhesion (Holding Power):

Standard: ASTM D3654, FINAT FTM 8, PSTC-107
Measurement: Time for weighted label to slide down vertical surface
Requirements: General labels 24+ hours, high-temp labels 24+ hours at 70°C

ASAS Label Adhesive Expertise

Comprehensive Adhesive Portfolio

Permanent Adhesives:

General purpose, high tack, LSE for PE/PP, ultra-permanent for security

Removable Adhesives:

Short-term (1-3 months), medium-term (6-12 months), long-term (12-24 months)

Specialty Adhesives:

Freezer-grade, high-temperature, all-temperature, tamper-evident, clear adhesives

Free Adhesive Consultation:

Permanent Adhesives:

Expert evaluation of your application requirements with technical rationale

Comprehensive Testing:

Peel, shear, temperature cycling, chemical exposure, and aging studies

Documentation Support:

MSDS/SDS, compliance certificates, testing reports, specification sheets

UAE Market Expertise

Climate Validation

15+ years serving UAE market with deep understanding of local conditions—extreme heat, humidity, UV intensity

Local Stock Positions

Common adhesive systems stocked in Umm Al Quwain for fast turnaround on standard applications

GCC Regulatory Knowledge

Familiar with UAE, Saudi, and GCC regulatory requirements for all label types

The Complete Guide to Label Adhesive Types

Why Label Adhesive Selection Is Critical

Table of Contents

Understanding Label Adhesives

What is Pressure-Sensitive Adhesive (PSA)?

The PSA Label Construction

The Bonding Process

Critical Adhesive Properties

Adhesive Performance Categories

Permanent Adhesives

Key Characteristics:

Ideal Applications:

Removable Adhesives

Key Characteristics:

Ideal Applications:

Repositionable Adhesives

Key Characteristics:

Ideal Applications:

Tamper-Evident & Security Adhesives

Key Characteristics:

Ideal Applications:

Adhesive Chemistry Types

Rubber-Based (Hot Melt)

Advantages:

Limitations:

Acrylic Adhesives

Advantages:

Limitations:

Silicone Adhesives

Advantages:

Limitations:

Temperature-Specific Adhesives

Freezer-Grade Adhesives

The Freezer Challenge:

Key Features:

UAE Cold Chain Applications:

High-Temperature Adhesives

Temperature-Related Failures:

Key Features:

UAE Cold Chain Applications:

All-Temperature Adhesives

Key Characteristics:

UAE Relevance:

Surface-Specific Applications

Surface Energy and Adhesive Compatibility

High Surface Energy

Medium Surface Energy

Low Surface Energy

Textured and Rough Surfaces

Challenges:

Solution:

Curved and Compound Surfaces

Curvature Categories:

Considerations:

Industry Applications Guide

Food & Beverage Industry

Pharmaceutical Industry

Industrial & Chemical Products

Asset Tracking & Durable Goods

UAE Climate Considerations

Extreme Heat Effects

Summer Temperature Profile:

Heat-Related Failures:

Humidity & Moisture

Coastal Region Humidity:

Effects:

UV Radiation

UAE Sun Intensity:

UV Effects:

Adhesive Selection Framework

1

Define Application Surface

2

Determine Environmental Conditions

3

Identify Functional Requirements

4

Consider Economic Factors

5

Test and Validate