Labels, according to Avery Dennison, fall into two categories: non-adhesive and self-adhesive. Non-adhesive labels include glue-applied, in-mould and sleeving; and self-adhesive labels include pressure-sensitive, heat-sensitive and gummed paper. Here, the label expert shares seven things you may not know about labels and tags:
1. They are gone in seconds
Consumers spend about two and a half seconds at the shelf deciding which product to buy and approximately 50 per cent of purchase decisions are made in the store, according to the Platt Research Institute. The visual appeal of the label plays a key role in that 2.5-second decision.
2. They are permanently tacky
The adhesives used for pressure-sensitive labels vary widely depending on intended use.
However, they’re all permanently tacky and don’t need to be activated by water, solvents or heat.
They can form a bond at any time and adhere to almost any surface such as paper, plastic, glass, wood, cement and metal.
3. They are often non-adhesive
Labels, tags and tickets for apparel are often not adhesive, but vary in shape like adhesive labels.
4. They come in multiples
A typical shirt carries at least two woven labels (branding and size), two printed fabric labels (also called legislation) and three paperboard items such as a graphic tag, pricing swing ticket and key performance indicators tag that says how to wash or iron the item.
5. Clear ‘no-label’ labels change perception
Research suggests that the 'no label' look of clear labels, compared with paper labels, can have a positive effect on the consumer’s perception of a product and even on sales.
6. They carry information and instructions
In addition to a brand, labels carry numerous types of information, including instructions for use, product ingredients, prices, warranty and guarantee details, manufacturing locations, special offers and regulations.
7. They're getting smarter, ninety-nine
Labels keep getting smarter and smarter. Today’s labels now have RFID tags to improve data capture speed and accuracy, and NFC links, for branding and instructions.
Labels can change colours to indicate time and temperature changes as well as include a variety of built-in security characteristics to battle counterfeiting.
