Heavy Duty Labels & Harsh Environment Decals

What is the difference between a harsh environment label and a normal label?

A harsh environment label is developed to survive the use environment of a given product.  In most cases these labels are developed from film based materials like polyester, PVC, acrylics, polycarbonates and polyimides and can withstand high temperature environments, abrasion resistance, chemicals, salt water immersion and a whole host of other exposures including body fluids and extreme cold temperatures like cryogenics.  A traditional paper label would not survive these environments and would quickly become illegible or simply disintegrate.

Why would I need to buy a label that is defined as a harsh environment label?

In some cases regulatory standards around the products you are manufacturing require that the label remain legible during the expected life of the product.  The other main reason you would want this kind of label is that you want the image of your product and it’s nameplate to remain legible and in good condition throughout the life of the product.  Companies, such as outdoor power equipment manufacturers, do extensive outdoor testing on their products to ensure that when the product is at end of life it still looks as good as the day it was purchased.  Thus, increasing the odds of brand loyalty and a repeat purchase. 

What kind of testing is done to validate that a label is for harsh environments?

The testing of the label depends on the end use and environmental exposures.  Label companies and industry converter suppliers spend an extensive amount of development resources in testing.  These tests include: xenon arc (replicated sun exposure), abrasion resistance, chemical exposure, print testing with various inks, cryogenic exposure, extreme heat exposure, humidity testing and exposure, peel adhesion (force to peel off the label), shear adhesion (internal strength and molecular holds of the adhesive), radiation exposure (used for pharmaceutical sterilization), salt water immersion, etc.  The tests are too numerous to list but make sure you’re asking your vendor the right questions around testing and compliance so that you can have peace of mind in your label purchases.