Types of Labels Based on Material

Paper Labels

Affordable and easy to print, but less durable. Commonly used for short-term products or in non-demanding environments. Example: price tags on retail products. Paper labels are also frequently used in the fast food industry because they can be made in various shapes and sizes.

Plastic / Vinyl Labels

Waterproof and weather-resistant, these are often used in outdoor environments or on products that require more durability. Examples: labels on frozen foods or beverage bottles or vehicle labels. These labels often come with strong adhesives to ensure durability in extreme conditions.

Metallic Labels

Durable and commonly used for industrial purposes that require resistance to high temperatures or extreme conditions. Example: School or office’s asset label, labels on industrial machines or serial number labels on equipment.

Thermal Labels

Used in thermal printing systems, suitable for medical, shipping and logistics due to their ability to print variable information quickly. Examples: drug label for medical office, take away food or beverage label for fast food or restaurant, shipping labels on e-commerce packages, purchase receipts, etc.

Nylon Labels

Washable and resist high temperature, normally used in care label for school student, nursing home and laundry shop.

Label Material Components

When choosing a label material, it's essential to remember that every label has three components:
• Facestock — material you print on
• Adhesive — the material that makes your label stick to the item you're labeling
• Liner — the material the adhesive is applied to

Label Usage Across Various Industries

Food and Beverage Industry

Labels include composition, expiration date and nutritional information. This information helps consumers make informed decisions and ensures safe consumption. With strict regulations in many countries, food labels must comply with standards set by food regulatory authorities.

Pharmaceutical and Healthcare Industry

Labels provide information about drug dosage, composition, side effects, and usage instructions. The accuracy of information on labels is crucial for patient safety. Some medicine labels also include anti-counterfeiting technology to ensure that the products patients receive are authentic.

Manufacturing and Logistic Industry

Labels are used for product identification, inventory management, and shipment tracking. They simplify the logistic process and ensure products reach the right destination. RFID and barcodes are highly relied upon technologies in this industry.

Electronics Industry

Labels display technical specifications, serial numbers, and safety instructions. This information is essential for the installation, use, and maintenance of electronic devices. Some electronic labels are heat-resistant to remain legible under high-temperature conditions.

Fashion and Textile Industry

Labels indicate the brand, material, size, and care instructions for clothing. They help consumers shoes and maintain clothes correctly. Modern textile labels are also starting to use QR code technology to provide more detailed information about the materials and product sustainability.

Selecting the right label according to the industry needs is essential to ensure safety, marketing effectiveness, and operational efficiency. With technological advancements, trends like digital labels—such as the use of Augmented Reality (AR) are becoming increasingly popular. These offer interactive solutions that allow consumers to verify product authenticity or access additional information through smartphone scanning. By understanding the various types of labels and their functions, industries can enhance product quality, customer satisfaction, and overall operational efficiency.