Face-stock Material
Materials are the top sheet part of the label construction, which we print on. Below is an explanation of the main types of materials. Within each category are an array of options and we have an extensive selection of materials to suit any number of labeling requirements.Our team of label professionals would be happy to advise you on the right material type to meet your needs, contact us for an expert consultation or read on to learn about the main categories.

1.Cast Gloss Paper
Cast gloss paper materials have an extra coating applied to give it an extra glossy, mirror like finish. The glossy finish provides a nice smooth surface for the ink to adhere to giving a premium look to the label. The extra coating applied also provides the label with additional tear and moisture resistance. Cast gloss materials are a good choice for a premium look in beverage or retail applications.

2. Machine Coat Paper
Machine coat paper materials have a machine applied finish to the paper (hence the name) that while glossy does not have the same mirror like finish of cast gloss paper. This paper is suitable for a wide range of applications where the extra quality and moisture resistance of the cast gloss is not required. The addition of a gloss varnish or film laminate will give the finished label a similar finish to a cast gloss label. Machine coat materials are a good choice for general-purpose labels across multiple sectors.

3. Uncoated Paper
Uncoated materials are paper based materials where the finish of the paper is left textured during the manufacturing process. They are not smoothed off to create a gloss finish like machine coat or cast gloss papers. Different textured patterns can be incorporated into the paper giving varying looks and feels. The uncoated stocks give labels a premium vintage look and provide a tactile experience on the finished product. Uncoated materials are common in the wine and premium drink categories. We have a wide range of options including Pelorus and Birrabeen, our premium cream and white uncoated papers, and Clarence, our textured paper. 

4.Synthetic Materials
Synthetic label materials can be PET， PP, PE, PO or PVC based white or clear film materials. They provide excellent moisture and chemical resistance. The finishes are commonly glossy and provide an excellent surface for the ink to adhere to giving bright and dense colours. The matt finished materials are generally used in the logistics sector where the matt surface is better suited to thermal transfer printing. Synthetic materials are commonly used across multiple industries where moisture and chemical resistance is required. The conformability of synthetic materials makes them an excellent choice for small diameter containers and squeezable applications.

5.Thermal Materials
Thermal materials offer you the ability to print variable information onto the label before application, such as pricing, product information, use by dates, and barcodes. Thermal materials can be either paper or film, the application determines which is best to use.

Special papers
Adhesive Types
The adhesive is the sticky underside of the label. Pressure is required to activate the adhesive, which starts the bonding process to the surface the label is applied to. It is important to choose the right adhesive to ensure the label sticks on application and remains stuck during the life of the product.
We offer a range of adhesives to meet your requirements, from the chiller to freezer, permanent to removable. We’ve explained some of the main types of labels below, and our team of label professionals would be happy to advise you on the right adhesive for your needs. Please contact us to book a no obligation, free expert consultation.

1.Acrylic Adhesives 
* Permanent
* Semi-permanent
Acrylic adhesives are chemically different to hot melt adhesives and have good UV and heat resistant properties. When pressure is applied to the adhesive and it is in contact with a surface, the adhesive will have a lower initial tack compared to the hot melt but over the next 24 hours the adhesion will grow to a high level. As the adhesive is not as soft as the hot melt it does not perform as well on rough surfaces like recycled cardboard. Due to its harder composition acrylic adhesives are more user friendly for conversion and application as the adhesive has less tendency to flow outside the edges of the label.

2.Removable Adhesives
Removable adhesives have enough tack to grip the surface at the time of application but remain in a state that prevents the adhesive from reaching a higher adhesion level. This provides a degree of repositionability or removability of the label. The performance of removable adhesives can be greatly affected by the surface the label is being applied to and the temperature range the label is exposed to. We always recommend trialling removable adhesives for suitability due to these varying factors.

3. Migration safety
Food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics: more and more industries wish to ensure that no adhesive components can migrate into their products. Until now, this usually required reducing adhesion. Our multi-layer technology is a process that enables adhesives to possess both excellent adhesion and optimal migration characteristics. For label printers and users, this means safety without any compromises.

Minimum Application and Service Temperatures
The minimum application temperature of an adhesive refers to the temperature that the adhesive will still have enough tack to adhere well to a surface when applied. For a chiller adhesive this will mean the label will work if it is being applied to a surface that is not under 4°C. It will work if applied above 4°C but will have limited adhesion if applied under 4°C. A freezer adhesive will generally be able to be applied to a surface that is -18°C. It will also work well for temperatures under 0°C. For temperatures above 0°C, a chiller adhesive should be used.
The service temperature range is a band in which the adhesive will keep its adhesion and not break down. Once the label has been applied and it has time to cure (optimum of 24 hours) you can expect the label to remain adhered as long as the surface temperature remains within the specified band. This means a chiller adhesive that has a minimum application temperature of +4°C and a service range of -30°C to + 70°C will be best suited to an application where the label is applied to a chilled product that is then to be frozen.
Backing material / Liner Types
Liners are the carrier sheet for the label and adhesive. The choice of liner type is important to ensure your labels apply easily whether automatically or manually. Below is an explanation of the two types of liners; paper and film. Our team of label professionals would be happy to advise you on the right liner type for your needs, contact us for an expert consultation.

1. Paper Liner
Paper liners are generally Glassine or Kraft based papers. They are processed in a way to provide good tensile strength so they do not snap when they are put under strain either when they are being converted into labels or when they are being wound through a label applicator. They also have a silicon coating applied to the top side which prevents the adhesive that is on the underside of the label from adhering to the paper below. This way the label sandwich (top sheet + adhesive+ liner) can be separated easily.

2.Film Liner
PET or PP liners are used for their extra strength which allows more stress to be placed on the liner without it snapping. They are typically used for high speed and demanding packaging lines. Film liners are also ideal for clear labeling applications, as the smoothness of the film over the paper based liners ensure the adhesive is as smooth as possible prior to application. This gives the label optimum clarity for excellent on pack appearance.

3. Linerless
Linerless solutions offer a concrete answer to the market’s increasing demand for sustainable products with a lower environmental impact. We have reached a point where these aspects can no longer be overlooked. Sustainability is a matter of science; it is a set of good practices aimed at using the planet’s resources respectfully and intelligently, and it starts from eliminating waste. Our linerless solutions allow our clients to do just that: effectively eliminate process waste, and no waste means no need for recycling.