The amount of time and effort most business owners put into building a brand and creating quality products is immeasurable. Hours and hours of work spent ensuring perfect products reach the right customers at the right time. However, that effort can be lost in seconds if a product label is damaged or distorted.
Not investing in durable materials could lead to:
- Water spots or water damage
- Fading or distortion of colors and text from sun or chemical exposure
- Tearing, ripping, or complete removal of a product label
In addition to the damage to your physical products, these issues can also cause damage to your brand image. When your label peels or fades, your product looks low quality—even if it isn’t.
Consumers are making product decisions in seconds. This label damage could cost trust and even sales. That’s why choosing durable options like waterproof labels and heat-resistant labels made to survive harsh conditions matters.
Beyond your reputation, there’s also the issue of regulatory compliance. When it comes to industrial labels, pharmaceutical labels, chemical labels, or any product facing government regulation, extreme durability is a requirement. A missing expiration date or safety notice doesn’t just look bad, it could lead to a lawsuit.
To ensure product labels facing a wide range of challenging conditions remain flawless, consider these five tips.
1. CHOOSE CUSTOM PRINTED LABELS MADE FOR EXTREME CONDITIONS
Standard labels just won’t cut it in harsh conditions. To be long-lasting, labels must be designed for their specific environments. What makes a shampoo label foolproof in a shower differs from what makes a hazardous chemical label stay intact in an industrial setting.
That’s why it’s important to choose custom-printed product labels made for your exact product, container, and environment.
First, consider how your product will reach customers. Will it make the journey by plane, train, or semi-truck? Will it be transported in a refrigerated setting or face harsh heat on the journey? Then, consider where your product will spend most of its lifecycle:
- On a store shelf
- The fridge, freezer, or icy cooler
- A steamy bathroom or shower
- Outside in direct sunlight, extreme temperatures, or high winds
After considering all the environmental conditions your product will face from production to final sale, you get a better idea of what type of durability is needed. The benefit of custom product labels? You don’t have to settle. You get the performance your product demands.
2. INVEST IN WATERPROOF LABELS
Moisture is one of the biggest challenges to maintaining long-lasting, durable labels. Whether it’s a soap label in a damp shower or a sports drink tossed into a cooler, exposure to water can break down labels fast—causing wrinkles, peeling, and smudged ink.
Luckily, waterproof labels can solve these challenges. These labels are made with materials that repel water and use strong adhesives. If your products live in wet or humid environments, or have to travel through these environments to get to your customers, waterproof labels are a must.
It’s not just plastic water bottles and other products from the food and beverage industry that should use waterproof labels. They’re also needed for:
- Bath and body products
- Cleaning supplies & harsh chemicals
- Automotive parts and materials
- Agricultural and industrial equipment
- Outdoor furniture
- Machinery in an industrial setting
The quick rule of thumb is that if your product could get splashed, it needs a water-resistant label.
Technology & Waterproof Labels
Over the years, there have been a lot of new developments in label technology. Advances in food and beverage label technology mean you can now easily add augmented reality (AR) and smart label technology to your products. Sadly, consumers can’t enjoy any of these impressive advancements if your label has become distorted or damaged. In every industry, opting for custom water-resistant labels allows you to engage in the latest trends without sacrificing durability.
Bonus tip: Choose waterproof labels that are also oil-resistant. This added layer of durability is critical for cosmetics, lotions, bath products, cooking oils, and more.
3. CONSIDER HEAT-RESISTANT LABEL OPTIONS
While water is the biggest culprit for destroying labels, heat is a close second. Product labels exposed to extreme conditions like high-heat environments can melt, warp, curl, and fade.
If a product is not regularly stored outside or in a high-heat area, a business may be tempted to pass on heat-resistant labels to cut costs. But this choice may be shortsighted.
Many products face heat during production in the warehouse, while being shipped, or are stored in direct sunlight on a store shelf. The risk of heat damage only increases as more and more cities face unseasonably warm temperatures, especially in the summer.
To avoid damage, it’s best to choose high-performance, heat-resistant labels that won’t bleed or fade even in challenging environmental conditions. Whether it’s a label on a candle, a lawn mower, or an air conditioner, a heatproof, durable label will hold its shape and stay readable in the years to come.
4. EXPLORE DIFFERENT MATERIAL & ADHESIVE OPTIONS
Selecting the right material is critically important for lasting label durability. If your label needs to survive wear and tear in a demanding environment, paper is never the answer. Instead, opt for a stronger option like film, polyester, or vinyl labels.
Durable product labels resist fading, tearing, and chemical damage. They’re ideal for water bottle labels, workout gear, outdoor tools, or any product that moves around a lot. But it’s not just the label material that matters, the adhesive is arguably even more important for label longevity.
The right adhesive keeps your label in place—even in water, heat, cold, or oil. The wrong one? It peels, slides, or bubbles.
Selecting A Permanent Label Adhesive
For harsh conditions, it’s unlikely that you would want to use any type of removable adhesive. Instead, opt for permanent adhesive options. Here is a breakdown of some permanent adhesive types and when to use them:
- Water-Resistant or Waterproof Adhesive: Perfect for wet or damp environments. Use it on beverage bottle labels, soap labels, or anything stored in a bathroom or cooler. Combine it with a waterproof face stock for maximum durability.
- Hot-Melt Adhesive: Designed for tough bonding. This type performs well on rough or curved surfaces. It also works great in colder environments. Think refrigerated or frozen products.
- Acrylic Adhesive: This adhesive resists heat, UV rays, and chemicals. It works well in outdoor settings or on products directly exposed directly to heat like candles. Use this with heat-resistant labels or when durability is non-negotiable.
5. USE SPECIALIZED PRINTING TECHNIQUES
After choosing the right label material and adhesive, you also should consider alternative label printing techniques. Because how your label is printed plays a big role in how durable it actually is. Standard or cost-cutting printing methods can fade, smear, or scratch in harsh conditions.
For waterproof labels, heat-resistant labels, and other durable product labels, consider using specialty printing techniques
- Digital Printing with UV-Cured Inks: UV inks dry instantly under light. That makes them more resistant to water, sunlight, and abrasion. This is a great option for custom-printed product labels that need to stay clean.
- Thermal Transfer Printing: This uses heat to bond the ink to the label material. Thermal transfer is perfect for long-lasting prints that won’t rub off when exposed to friction, chemicals, or high heat.
- Lamination or Varnish Coatings: These protective overlays go on top of your design. Lamination gives full surface protection, while varnish is more targeted. Both help prevent scuffs, fading, and moisture damage.
- Durable Finishes Like Matte or Gloss Film: These films not only help your labels appear high quality, they also protect from scratches and water damage. Additionally, they make labels easier to clean.
If these five points feel like a lot to consider, don’t worry. The right printing company can help you create high-quality labels that exceed industry standards and are made to withstand extreme environments.
Plus, when you choose an expert partner, you don’t have to sacrifice sustainable label options and advanced finishes for durable, long-lasting labels. At Epsen Hillmer, we are a flexible label printing partner who understands your industry and your unique needs.If you want to stay up-to-date on the latest custom label printing trends and news, sign up for our newsletter.
