The Pressure’s On

Pressure-sensitive materials have staying power. Because of the many functional and decorative possibilities pressure-sensitive materials offer to meet consumer demand, it should not come as a surprise that most converters are heavily involved in the conversion of these substrates.

While the food segment makes up a majority (almost 20 percent) of the pressure-sensitive market, beverage labeling—with an emphasis on clear film labels—accounts for 15.6 percent, according to the Tag and Label Manufacturers Institutes’s (TLMI) North American Label Study 2007. And, with more concern directed toward brand protection in recent years, there has also been a growing need for tamper-evident labels, according to the study.

The following companies offer products in the highly competitive pressure-sensitive market.

FLEXcon announces new optiFLEX product

FLEXcon’s optiFLEX PP 200 H Clear TC-332 A208 TRACrite 100 is a new option for front and back beverage labels that require “no-label-look” graphics for beer, juice, soda, wine, spirits, and water. It is designed for price-sensitive beverage labeling applications, and features the new A-208 permanent pressure-sensitive acrylic adhesive that provides “water-clear” wet out on glass and polyester containers and that resists hazing during pasteurization and ice chest. This new optiFLEX product is topcoated for consistent ink adhesion, and is compatible with a wide range of print methods including solvent, water, and UV flexo; UV offset; hot stamping; and UV screen.—FLEXcon, www.flexcon.com

Tamper-indicating stock

3M void polyester label products are tamper-indicating stocks designed to produce a “void” message in the facestock when removal is attempted. The message also gets transferred to the substrate, but can easily be removed by hand rubbing or wiping with a solvent. These void polyester labels use 3M Adhesive P1410, which is a tackified emulsion acrylic adhesive that allows for adhesion to a wide variety of substrates, including polyolefins. The polyester film is topcoated to accept most film ink systems and thermal transfer printing. The liner is designed for high-speed diecutting and matrix stripping. The C2S version of the liner has a light coating of silicone on the backside to reduce label pick, and is effective when used in conjunction with soft adhesives and heavy adhesive coating weights.—3M, www.3M.com/converter

UV screening overlaminate

acpo ltd., has introduced 691V, a UV screening overlaminate film. 691V is a clear, durable, polyester PSA overlaminate containing a film additive in the formulation, allowing the overlaminate to combat harmful UV rays and protect the label inks and base material from deterioration. Label manufacturers can use the 691V in conjunction with their standard water-based inks for optimum print label quality, appearance, and durability. Because 691V is capable of enduring harsh UV rays, it is a good fit for indoor and outdoor applications where UV light is present.—acpo ltd., www.acpo.com

Water-resistant polypropylene film provides high gloss

UPM Raflatac’s PP Clear TC 50 is a transparent, glossy, biaxially orientated, and top-coated polypropylene film meant for product labeling in applications such as toiletries and cosmetics where resistance against water, oil, and chemicals is important. Used with flexographic, screen, letterpress, and offset printing, the PP Clear TC 50 allows for high gloss; good dimensional stability; high tensile strength, stiffness, and tear strength; and does not contain plasticizers.—UPM Raflatac, www.raflatac.com

Self-adhesion for durable goods

Acucote offers a portfolio of self-adhesive film solutions in the durable goods product line which include polyester, vinyl, foil, and polypropylene constructions coated with a host of adhesive systems with outdoor durability and resistance to UV exposure.—Acucote, www.acucote.com

Fasson S7200 Adhesive

Designed exclusively for the beverage market and post pasteurization labeling, Fasson S7200 adhesive raises the bar when meeting tough wet-stick beverage requirements. Manufacturers can gain adhesion performance with improved hot and cold water resistance, wet out, and wet stick—essential when ensuring the branded image adheres in refrigeration or backyard ice-cold coolers. It is also well suited for clear-on-clear and PET venue bottle applications.—Fasson Roll/Avery Dennison, www.fasson.com

Whiter, brighter face stock

MACtac Roll Label’s White Gold has a new whiter, brighter appearance intended to add a little extra “pop” to a finished label. The ease of use and premium gloss appearance offered by the new White Gold makes it ideal for a variety of prime labeling applications, including food, cosmetic, beverage, and household cleaners. White Gold remains a 60-pound face stock with an improved brightness level of 88 percent and a gloss level of 80 percent. It also features a polymer coating for exceptional ink hold out, sharp resolution, and enhanced wicking resistance, as well as a brighter, bluer hue.—MACtac, www.mactac.com

Environmentally friendly film

The EarthFirst 2 mil clear PLA (poly lactic acid) film is produced from a 100 percent annually renewable resource: corn. Because no petrochemicals are involved in its composition, EarthFirst PLA film carries the additional benefit of being less dependent on the availability of petroleum-based components which have been subject to recent swings in availability and cost. The 2-mil environmentally friendly, breathable film features high gloss, optimum clarity and transparency, and excellent printability, optical properties, and twist retention.—Plastic Suppliers, www.plasticsuppliers.com

Pressure-sensitive RFID material for smart labels

Technicote’s RFIDentity family of pressure-sensitive material is specifically engineered for RFID “smart” labels. The RFIDentity family includes transRFID, a special transfer adhesive for coating the RFID inlay in the converting process; RFIDfend, which incorporates special facestock designed to reduce mechanical trauma to the RFID inlay and the incidence of non-functioning RFID labels to the consumer; and RFIDna, a facestock and adhesive combination designed for security and anti-counterfeiting of RFID labels and tags.—Technicote, www.technicote.com

Boise’s security technology

Boise Security Facestock incorporates embedded fibers that make it possible to layer multiple security technologies on the surface. This sheet also offers ink adherence for high opacity laser printing so information stays intact, ensuring confidence in the product’s authenticity. Applications include prime labels on pharmacy inventory bottles, prescription bottle labels, and personal care products, as well as electronics tracking labels and packaging closure seals.—Boise, www.boise.com