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Making Waterproof Labels for Bottles: Factors for Water Resistance

After investing time and money to create great labels for your products, it would be a shame for them to peel off your container. Certain products are destined to encounter moisture, whether they sit in a cooler, sweat after being refrigerated, or encounter water during the application process.

While the majority of product labels don’t play well with water, there are measures that companies can take to protect their designs from a sad, soggy ending. Let’s break down a variety of factors that can help your labels stay strong and look great even after they’ve been exposed to moisture.

The Truth About “Waterproof” Labels for Bottles

Before we get too far, it’s important to address the proverbial elephant in the room – there is no such thing as a truly waterproof bottle label. Water and other fluids will impact even the most water-resistant bottle labels at some point. As such, you can’t guarantee complete protection with a simple label material.

While complete water resistance isn’t attainable, that doesn’t mean there aren’t means to protect your packaging as much as possible. There are several to make your labels as water and oil-resistant as possible, including the following considerations.

Label adhesive
Label material
Environmental considerations

Find an Appropriate Label Adhesive

Water, oil, and other wet substances can put you in a bind when you choose an adhesive for your labels. Even if your label itself is water resistant, a label adhesive needs to be able to withstand those substances. Everything from regular moisture to complete submersion can pose problems. With the wrong adhesive, you’ll be stuck with a label that’s falling off the bottle.

One drawback is that the presence of water may eliminate certain types of adhesives from your selection. For example, humidity and wet environments can pose problems for removable labels, so you may want to avoid them if you want a truly waterproof label.

Fortunately, there are moisture-resistant label adhesives designed to specifically combat this issue. There are a variety of factors that will impact exactly which adhesive works best – the amount of exposure, how often exposure is expected to happen, which types of fluids will pose problems, etc. Once that information is identified, a label printing expert can help you pair the right adhesive with your product.

Choose a Label Material

There are a wide range of label materials available, but the majority of them fall under one of two categories: paper or film. Both groups offer various benefits, but one type typically fares much better against water and other fluids than the other.

Paper is a great choice for companies looking for a versatile, cost-effective material, but there’s one big problem – paper has a tendency to disintegrate in water. There are specific styles of paper with a higher wet strength that can slow water penetration. However, there is no waterproof bottle label paper and even the most resistant paper substrates will become fully saturated over time.

If you need water resistance, we strongly suggest sticking with film stocks. Unlike paper, film stocks won’t absorb water, making them as waterproof as you can get for a bottle label. From shrink sleeves to roll labels, there are a few different film materials that are much better fits for products dealing with moisture.

Polypropylenes (BOPP) – A rigid film that features high tear resistance and is a great fit for beverages and other products that will encounter moisture.
Polyester (PET) – A film designed for maximum durability that is great for products used outdoors.
Polyolefin – An extremely soft and flexible film perfect for squeeze applications, such as bottles that will end up in the shower or other wet environments.

Regardless of your choice, the simple logic is that film is much better at resisting water than paper. As such, a film label is a great start for any bottles that will encounter moisture either before, during, or after application.

A selection of six beer bottles using water resistant bottle labels.

Plan Around Your Environment

When there’s water and other fluids, there are other potential environmental issues that can create problems for your label. There are a few main considerations that you’ll want to make when it comes to you where your products will go.

Your applicating environment.
Shipping and storage environments.
Where and how your bottles are used.
The product itself.

Your application process makes a major impact on your choice of adhesive, label material, liner, and more. That is especially true if your bottles will be wet going into the applicating process. A wet-apply adhesive is a must in these scenarios. You also may need to factor in your product as well. For example, acidic or oily products can wreak havoc if you don’t account for them in the planning process.

Proper shipping and storage is another factor that can be easily overlooked. All waterproof product labels should be stored in a temperature-controlled environment. Exact temperature and humidity levels vary based on your exact label, but too much humidity in a shipping truck or a warehouse will pose problems. Shrink sleeves are especially sensitive to humidity and other environmental factors, so make sure to keep them safe before application.

Finally, you need to factor in just where your bottles will go once consumers get a hold of them. If your products are going to encounter ice buckets, coolers, or other cold storage places, you’ll need something stronger than a standard adhesive. A more aggressive, freezer-grade label adhesive will be able to withstand these conditions.

Other products may have very different issues, such as a bottle of conditioner. Certain health and beauty labels will sit in the shower and encounter other cleaning chemicals. These products needs to withstand a hot, steamy environment along with oils and other substances. Sunscreen bottles need waterproof capabilities at the beach or pool, but they also should have some form of UV resistance.

You should also consider whether the product itself may impact the label. For example, the oil found in products like sunscreen can affect the application and integrity of a label. Water-resistant capabilities are key, but you should always consider what will happen if some of your own product will leak out and interact with your label.

A whiskey bottle using a waterproof bottle label paper.

Find the Right Label Printing Company

Whether you need custom waterproof labels for bottles, jars, or any other container, it’s essential that your packaging showcases the quality of your products and brand. At Blue Label Packaging, we have the equipment and expertise it takes to not only make your labels as water-resistant as possible, but also enhance your design to make a lasting impressions on customers.

Ready to invest in the perfect bottle labels for your business? Contact us today to talk to one of our experts about high-quality, water-resistant labels.

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Waterproof Beer Labels: How to Protect Your Labels

Beer labels and moisture just simply don’t mix. Of course, that’s a major problem for an industry where cans and bottles get wet all the time. From fill lines to beer coolers, moisture is an ever-present menace for beer packaging. That constant threat of label failure is exactly why the idea of waterproof beer labels is so attractive.

There’s just one problem with that concept – there is no such thing as a completely waterproof beer label. As much as we’d all love for a beer label to be completely waterproof, there’s no way to completely safeguard your labels from water and other forms of moisture.

While a 100 percent waterproof label isn’t attainable, all hope is not lost. There are several ways that you can make your beer label as resistant to moisture as possible. Let’s break down what you can do to protect your beer labels from water and other threats.

A waterproof beer bottle label for Jackie O’s Brewery. A six pack of waterproof beer labels for Land Grant Brewing Company.

Key Factors for Water-Resistant Beer Labels

When you need a “waterproof” beer can label or beer bottle label, every part of your label needs to built for success. Every label is made up of multiple layers, and each of these elements play a key role in how water resistant they are. As such, it’s important to weigh a few considerations when investing in custom beer labels.

Material selection

There are generally two types of label materials: paper and film. As you may expect, paper and moisture don’t work well together. Paper labels are great in many situations, but they can and will break down when wet. That’s a major problem when beer cans and bottles get soaking wet before application or sit in a cold, wet environment.

While paper definitely isn’t going to make for a waterproof beer label, films are much more resistant to moisture. Films like biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) don’t absorb water, so they aren’t at nearly as much risk of failing when they encounter water, oil, or other wet substances.

Adhesives

Adhesive selection is a major sticking point for beer labels. It doesn’t matter how water resistant your material is if your beer label won’t bind to your container. That’s why it’s vital to identify a moisture-resistant label adhesive that’s tailored to your exact needs.

The application process is one major hurdle for your adhesive. If your container will be wet going into the applicator, you’ll want to use some form of wet-apply adhesive to prepare for those conditions. These adhesives won’t completely eliminate beer label application failure, but it will drastically increase your success rate.

Of course, your adhesives need to work long after application. The best way to plan for long-term success is to use an adhesive that best accommodates how your products will be stored in the future. For beer, that means your adhesive will need to withstand high humidity, moisture, and cold temperatures. A water-resistant acrylic label is one option that can hold up better in coolers, refrigerators, and other damp environments.

It’s also important to remember that water isn’t the only form of moisture that can create problems. Contaminants like dirt and oil can wreak havoc with your adhesives. Even the beer itself can pose an unexpected problem If there’s leftover residue from the prefill process.

For example, the acidity in a radler, sour, or any other beer with fruit can create oxidation that can impact your materials, containers, and adhesive. As such, you’ll want to work out every detail with your Blue Label account representative to narrow down your search for the perfect label.

Release liners

It’s important not to forget about how your beer label gets to your container. The release liner is a thin sheet that is designed to carry your labels until they’re ready for application. While the release liner is removed before application, it still needs enough water resistance to make sure your label gets to its destination.

Simply put, wet applicating conditions will pose problems for certain release liners. A wet beer can or bottle can cause paper release liners to tear as they run through the machine. As with your label material, a film release liner will offer added water resistance to help enable a seamless applicating process.

Print protection

Every label can use a little extra protection. Finishing processes like lamination and varnishes are designed to shield your beer label from a variety of issues, including water.

While varnishes and laminates are both designed to protect your label, they’re applied in different ways. Varnishes are liquids that dry onto a label’s surface, making it a natural solution for a porous material like paper. Lamination is a layer of protective film that covers the top of your beer label, giving it another layer of defense against water, scratches, and other hazards.

The exact type of print protection you need depends on multiple factors, such as your choice of material or if you want these finishes to amplify your beer label design at all. Regardless of your choice, print protection is an essential part for just about any beer label.

Protect Your Image with Water-Resistant Beer Labels

Your craft beer labels play a critical role in marketing your product. Unfortunately, label failure can have an adverse affect on how people view your beer.

That’s why Blue Label works closely with companies to help them protect their brands with high-quality, water-resistant beer labels. Our experts can help you identify water-resistant solutions for every element of your beer label so that your beer cans and bottles will look amazing for your consumers.

Ready to waterproof your beer labels as much as possible? Contact Blue Label today to have us print quality, durable beer labels for your company.

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The Shelf Life of Labels: 6 Factors That Impact How Long Your Labels Last

Nothing lasts forever, and that includes your product labels. Even the most attractive packaging can lose its luster over time, whether it’s because of a preventable accident or an unavoidable change. Damaged or outdated labels won’t help your business, so it’s important to know the factors that can impact the lifespan of your labels so that you make sure you get the most out of your investment.

Sunlight

You may enjoy a sunny day, but long-term exposure to the sun is a problem for your labels. Ultraviolet rays break down the chemical bonds found in inks over time, which essentially has a bleaching effect. As a result, exposure to sunlight causes your label designs to fade.

While you can’t completely protect you labels from sunlight, you can delay its effects. Label laminates and UV coatings add a layer of protection that lessens the effect of sunlight, like how sunscreen shields skin. While fading will still occur over time, these solutions notably slow down the process so your labels stay vibrant for as long as possible.

Bottle labels protected from sunlight by a UV coating.

Water and Other Fluids

Paper labels don’t play well with water, which is a serious problem for any labels that are refrigerated, encounter water during the application process, or interact with any other slippery situations. Even paper stocks with higher wet strength will absorb water and other fluids over time. This can cause them to distort and even fall off eventually. For this reason, it’s strongly suggested to use film stocks and laminates for any labels that need some degree of water resistance.

Scuffs and Scratches

The quality of your product packaging says a lot about your goods. A big scratch or scuff on your labels won’t send the right message to potential customers. Instead of dealing with damage when it happens, there are ways to shield your labels from unwanted friction that can occurs during shipping and handling. Laminates and varnishes add a layer of protection so that your product labels can endure more wear and tear and customers pay attention to your branding instead of unsightly damage.

Adhesive Material

No company wants to get stuck with labels that don’t stick to its products. There are a variety of factors that can impact the long-term success of a label adhesive. Some adhesives are better suited for use with water, whether it’s for a product that’ll sit in a steamy bathroom or get submerged in a cooler full of ice. Sometimes the containers you use are better suited for a strong acrylic-based adhesive. No matter the environment, it’s important to work with a label expert who can identify which adhesive makes sense for your products.

Label Regulation Changes

Depending on your product, you’re not the only person who has a say in what goes on your label. Various government organizations have specific compliance standards for a wide range of products, covering everything from food and drink to beauty products and vape juice. These regulations can change over time, which means what were once completely compliant cannabis product labels could become obsolete after new legislation. As a result, it’s important to stay up to date on label compliance and to work with a label printing company that provides order flexibility.

Rebrands or Other Label Changes

Change isn’t always an unexpected development. At some point, you may decide that your business is due for a rebrand, or you may simply refresh your product label designs. In this case, you’ll need to transition from your old labels to new ones to show off your new logo, color scheme, or other design change you’ve made to the aesthetic of your packaging. Fortunately, you can plan for these changes and work with a printing company to have new, eye-catching labels ready when it’s time to update your labels.

Three variations of a product labels with different materials and varnishes.

Prepare for the Future with Long-Lasting, Durable Labels

Whether you need to guard your packaging or prepare for the unknown, it’s important to work with the right printing company to get the most out of your labels. Thanks to an investment in state-of the art digital label printing equipment and technology, Blue Label offers both protective label capabilities and order flexibility to help you prepare for long after your product labels go out to market.

If you need quality, cost-effective product labels that are made to last, we can help. Contact Blue Label today to talk to one of our experts about how we can help you get the most out of your durable labels.

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What You Need to Consider When Investing in Keg Collars

A good keg collar can play several roles for your brewery. Not only is it a great way to share information, it also serves as a key compliance tool and a way to help sell more of your products. Of course, a poorly-made keg collar isn’t going to do your business any good. It’s important that you check off all the following criteria when you’re ready to order custom keg collars.
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5 Label Tips for Cosmetics and Beauty Products

An unattractive label is not a “good look” for a beauty product. Aesthetics are an important factor when investing in labels for cosmetics and beauty products, but it’s not the only aspect that you need to consider. Here are six tips that you should follow when it’s time to design and order custom labels for your beauty products.

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