When manufacturing labels, the choice of adhesive backing is just as crucial as the face material and print quality. Whether a label adheres firmly, resists edge curling, or leaves behind residue upon removal often depends heavily on the adhesive applied to its backing.

The adhesive commonly used on the back of labels is known as pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA). This type of adhesive requires neither heat nor additional water; it bonds to a product's surface simply through light manual pressure. The most common types of pressure-sensitive adhesives used for labels include water-based, solvent-based (oil-based), and hot-melt adhesives.

Water-Based PSAs: The Preferred Choice for Standard Labels.

For the majority of printed labels, water-based acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives are highly recommended.

Using water as a dispersion medium, this type of adhesive is environmentally friendly and features low VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) emissions, making it well-suited to meet the current eco-friendly production standards of the packaging and labeling industries. It can be applied to a wide variety of materials, including paper labels, BOPP, PET, and PVC films, as well as labels for daily chemical products, food packaging, and logistics.

The advantages of water-based acrylic PSAs include stable coating application, uniform adhesive layers, excellent transparency, resistance to yellowing, and superior aging resistance. For standard label applications, this adhesive strikes an optimal balance between tack strength, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness, resulting in a very broad scope of application.

Solvent-Based PSAs: For Labels with More Demanding Requirements

Solvent-based pressure-sensitive adhesives—also referred to as oil-based adhesives—are characterized by their strong bonding strength and superior resistance to water, chemicals, and extreme temperatures (both high and low).

If labels are intended for use in challenging environments—such as outdoors, on chemical drums, on automotive components, or on electronic devices—solvent-based adhesives offer distinct advantages.

However, because they contain solvents, these adhesives impose stricter requirements regarding production environments, safety management, and environmental emission controls; they also tend to be relatively more expensive. Consequently, solvent-based adhesives are generally not the first choice for standard printed labels.

Hot-Melt Adhesives: Commonly Used for Logistics and Carton Labels

Hot-melt adhesives also play a significant role in the labeling industry, particularly for applications such as express shipping labels, carton labels, general logistics labels, and cold-chain labels.

They possess strong initial tack (instant adhesion), making them ideal for bonding to rough surfaces—such as corrugated cardboard boxes—and are also well-suited for high-speed coating and production processes. However, in terms of transparency, heat resistance, aging resistance, and long-term stability, hot-melt adhesives typically fall short of high-quality water-based acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives. For labels that require a clean aesthetic, a stable adhesive layer, and suitability for long-term use, water-based pressure-sensitive adhesives are a more appropriate choice.

How Should You Choose the Right Label Adhesive?

For standard paper labels, film-based labels, or packaging labels, we recommend selecting a water-based acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesive.

For outdoor labels, chemical product labels, or labels intended for high-temperature environments, solvent-based pressure-sensitive adhesives are worth considering.

For shipping labels, carton labels, or logistics labels, hot-melt adhesives may be a suitable option.

Summary

When determining the best adhesive for affixing printed labels, one must look beyond just the adhesive type; it is equally important to consider the label material, the surface to which it will be applied, and the intended operating environment.

For the majority of printed labels, water-based acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives represent the most common and practical choice. They offer excellent environmental compatibility and coating stability, making them suitable for a wide variety of label materials—including paper, BOPP, PET, and PVC films.

As a manufacturer of water-based adhesive resins, we supply water-based acrylic pressure-sensitive resins and emulsions specifically designed for the label industry, helping our clients enhance the adhesion strength, coating stability, transparency, and aging resistance of their labels.

Our products can be used for paper labels, film labels, PVC labels, sticker labels and packaging labels, helping customers improve coating stability, adhesion, transparency and aging resistance.
Contact us for technical support and sample testing.