Labels help the world go 'round. From the label on your Amazon package to that bottle of salad dressing at the grocery store it's hard to think of an item that didn't at one time have a label on it. Labels play a crucial role in our lives because they help us identify things and communicate important messages. In order for labels to fulfill their function they need to be taken care of and stored properly when not in use. When it comes to the storage of your labels, temperature and humidity are the two most important factors to pay attention to.
Temperature
Similar to Goldilocks, your labels need to be in an environment that's "just right". Practically speaking, it's more of a temperature range, but it's important to store your labels in the proper environment. Prolonged heat exposure can cause the label adhesive to soften and ooze off the liner which can lead to issues when dispensing your labels. On the other hand, if things get too cold the adhesive will harden which can cause application failures. 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit is a good temperature range according to most label manufacturers.
Here are a few tips on how to store your labels to help with temperature regulation:
- Avoid storing your labels on high shelves or racking - heat rises so these areas are often significantly warmer than floor level.
- Keep your labels away from dock doors as these areas can often be warmer or cooler than the rest of the warehouse.
- Avoid storing your labels anywhere near heaters or warming equipment.
Bonus Tip: Freight and shipping containers can get well above 85 degrees or even go below freezing while in transit. If you're bringing in rolls of material it's a good idea to let the material acclimate before being used on an applicator or press.
Humidity
Humidity is another main factor to consider when it comes to storing your labels. Moisture and labels don't play nicely so it's recommended that your storage environment be kept as close to 50% relative humidity as possible. You can best see the effects of humidity on sheeted labels as the edges will start to curl over time causing feed issues
If you have any questions concerning storing your labels feel free to reach out to our team of product experts at 480-463-4548 or contact us here.