Extreme temperature is a major challenge when it comes to professional labelling. If you deploy a label without the proper protection, you risk jeopardising its intended purpose.
That’s why heat-resistant printable labels are the ideal solution for high-temperature application. In this guide, we’ll show you everything there is to know about heat-resistant labels, including how they work, where to use them and what you should look for in a durable label.
An introduction to heat-resistant labelling
As the name suggests, heat-resistant labels are adept at withstanding high-temperature environments, but they can also resist freezing temperatures. Regardless of the conditions, they’re specifically designed to provide the necessary protection your labels need to uphold their important purpose.
Durability is the difference between long-lasting legibility and constant replenishment. Without a durable heat-resistant label, your ordinary paper labels will need frequent replacement, which will only drive up the cost of your solution.
When you consider the downfalls of ordinary printed labels, it’s easy to see why durability is a must-have asset.
Challenges of non-durable labels
Because of their weaker material, paper labels lack the necessary protection to withstand extreme temperature. In turn, labelling in these environments will generate a number of obstacles that need to be overcome:
- Humid climates can cause the liner to absorb moisture, which in turn makes the adhesive more difficult to apply and more likely to fail. If you’re printing barcode labels, moisture can also render them unreadable by a barcode scanner
- Exposure to freezing temperatures may cause smudging
- Extreme heat can burn or melt a label, rendering it illegible
- If a label is lost to extreme elements, it can disrupt critical maintenance procedures
- Inaccurate, destroyed or damaged labels could violate industry regulations – exposing the business to risk and hefty fines
Heat-resistant labels are printed using a protective layer of film that withstands temperature damage.How does a heat-resistant durable label work?
Laminated labels are heat resistant as they are printed beneath polyethylene laminate – the source of the label’s added durability. This is a layer of film that safeguards the label’s content from damage, whether it be low or high temperatures.
This process doesn’t just add resistance to temperature, but also resistance to UV rays, water, chemical exposure and abrasion.
How to use a heat-resistant label: Industry use cases
There are many circumstances and professional settings that necessitate a more durable approach to labelling. Here are a few examples that illustrate the many ways that industries are making constant use of heat-resistant labels:
- Electrical cabling: Heat resistance is essential for marking cables or wires where heat is applied. Heat shrink sleeves offer maximum protection to your labels while still upholding legibility for reliable identification
- Retail and hospitality: Australian food labelling standards strictly dictate that information be clearly readable on the face of food labels. Because these items are frequently going in and out of refrigeration, stored in freezing temperatures or being heated for foods to be consumed immediately, the hospitality industry depends on durable labels to keep them compliant with industry regulations, such as warning labels or product identification requirements
- Health care facilities: Labelling is especially tightly regulated in the medical industry. From laboratory labels to medical devices, it’s vital that labels withstand cold temperatures as this is necessary for specimen storage or hot temperatures for sterilising medical equipment
- Logistics: There’s no telling how many different temperatures you’ll come across throughout the supply chain. Whether it be warning labels, shipping labels or barcode labels, all may come in contact with extreme conditions, such as cold stores and freezers
Heat resistance is especially critical in electrical cabling applications.How to choose the best label solution
To help you choose the best industrial label solution for your business needs, here’s a checklist of questions that need to be answered:
- Where are you labelling? Consider the type of surface your labels will be placed on and assess their conditions. Will they be exposed to extreme temperatures? What about chemicals, light, water or abrasions? This will help you determine your durability needs
- Why are the labels being applied? What purpose do they serve? Is there a compliance requirement involved? Or is it a matter of security? Knowing your label’s purpose will help you determine whether you need added protection
- How long do you need your labels to last? Decide roughly the intended lifespan of your label application. Is this a short-term label, or will it need to withstand an extended period of time? The longer the lifespan, the greater the need for adhesive strength and protection
By the time you answer these questions, one thing will be apparent: durability matters. That’s why our TZe label tapes are tested against temperatures, light, chemicals, water and abrasions. With seven layers of protective label material and superior adhesive strength, TZe tapes are made to withstand temperatures ranging from -80°C to +150°C.
Learn more about our heat-resistant label technology by contacting our team today.
