Summer is fast approaching, and we could not be more excited for the warm weather and all that comes with it (the sun, lounging on the beach, and day drinking, to name a few). However, a side effect we’re not so fond of is the less than ideal conditions for labels. Heat and labels aren’t necessarily the most fantastic combination. Raised temperatures have the potential to negatively impact various aspects of the label and its adhesive. Here’s what you should know about the effect of heat on labels and label storage best practices.
How Heat and Humidity Affects Labels
When temperatures rise, label adhesives get softer, often resulting in tacky edges which can create difficulties when removing labels. Other common side-effects include lifted and curled label edges, potentially leading to the label itself falling off a product. This worst-case scenario is more common with improperly affixed labels but still something to look out for. More heat also means greater humidity, especially in the Summer months. The humidity brings about excess moisture, which can lead to labels rapidly fading, which we can all agree, is less than ideal. Lastly, the heat may affect the ink on labels and cause it to smudge or tarnish, distorting the label content.
Label Storage Best-Practices
It’s clear that labels and heat aren’t the best of friends. The combination of the two brings many challenges ranging from the actual labelling of a product to label durability and its performance. But fear not, we are here to provide some simple tips and easy solutions to overcome these obstacles. The key to preserving your labels and ensuring optimal performance is to store them properly. Minimizing heat exposure is the first step. Proper label storage will help mitigate many of the potential problems that can arise with higher temperatures. So, let’s dish on the best ways to store your labels! Here are three label storage best practices (in no particular order) to ensure your beautiful labels stay intact.
Sit rolls upright.
It is always best to avoid having your labels lay flat. Circumvent this issue and sit rolls upright by using a utility rack and hanging dowels. (This storage method also conveniently gets them off any shelves or floor area, freeing up space. Allowing you to channel your inner Marie Kondo.)
Consider storing labels in plastic bags.
Placing your labels in plastic bags helps to minimize humidity exposure and keep them away from dust. This will also help to reduce the chance of any ink smearing due to the protective covering. (Win-win!)
Store labels away from any sun exposure in a cool, dry area.
The sun can cause the label design to fade, and as we’ve learnt, high humidity and moisture can wreck label adhesives. Top tip: temperatures (the measure of heat) and humidity (the measure of water vapour in the air) are much cooler closer to the ground. If an air-conditioned room is not in the cards for your business, another excellent solution is to store your labels close to the ground.
Make sure all you’re worried about this Summer is getting a nice tan. Preserving your labels and proper storage doesn’t have to be confusing. Follow these tips to get the most out of your labels and keep them looking beautiful.
To learn more and get the answers to all of your burning label questions
Follow Us