HOW TO STICK YOUR LABELS EFFICIENTLY

How to stick an adhesive label like a professional?

Guide to follow for successful labeling

Step 1: Prepare the surface

Here is the first indication to take into account when you want to stick a label correctly. In fact, preparing the surface on which the label will be affixed ensures that the label will stay well over time. The enemies of the adhesive are dust and silicone in the release agents of glass products, so it is important that the surface is clean. To do this, it is advisable to first clean the substrates before applying the adhesive in order to degrease them and remove dust with suitable products. The surface must be rinsed well, so that no residue can affect the adhesion. You must ensure that the surface is completely dry before proceeding with the affixing of the label.

Wood, fabric and certain varnishes or paints can also interfere with the proper application of the label. For irregular surfaces, we recommend to prefer polyethylene (PE) as support: its suppleness and flexibility will erase slight surface defects as well as roughness.

Step 2: How to stick a label like a professional?

Generally, the rule for applying adhesive labels is to exert “steady AND continuous pressure”. This regular and continuous pressure can be more or less important depending on the material. The secret of a successful installation (manual or automatic) lies in regular smoothing and pressure. We recommend starting with the middle of the label, smoothing towards the ends to remove air. Complete adhesion is obtained within 24 hours after installation, the time required for polymerization. Be careful, however, to avoid putting your fingers on the adhesive surface (dorsal) of the label as much as possible during installation. The quality of the flasks, bottles, jars .... strongly influences the final result.

Microbubbles can indeed form when the surface of the product is not perfectly flat (defects in bottles or jars which are not visible to the naked eye).

What is important to know!

The strength of the adhesion rate of the adhesive cannot be measured by putting your finger on it. Indeed, some adhesives do not seem to stick very strongly, but once they stick to the packaging, they become extremely powerful. The pressure exerted at the time of application will determine the grip of the label on the support. The greater the pressure, especially at the edges, the more likely the label is to hold up over the long term. For the sticker to be truly stuck on the packaging, a minimum of 72 hours is necessary for the adhesive to have time to polymerize. This is especially important if you want to perform pull testing.

Tip: If you remove the label from a glass bottle, for example, and there is some glue left after removing the label. You can apply sunflower oil to the bottle and scrub with a paper towel or rag. The remaining glue will subside until it is gone.