Whenever you get custom labels, you’ll need to take into account what type of conditions your label will face – especially if the label will be outdoors. Labels that will be in constant, direct sunlight are a labeling challenge because UV rays can make labels crack, peel, and fade. Determining which label materials to use will also depend on how long you will need the label to last. If it’s a short duration, you can get away with using less expensive materials like paper. For anything over a couple months, we recommend using durable, weatherproof materials like vinyl and polyester films since they can withstand freezing to hot temperatures (-50 to 200 degrees) and other elements like sun, chemical, and abrasion. You should also use fade-resistant inks instead of regular water-based inks to help increase the lifespan of the label because it has higher grade pigments that will fade less in sun exposure. (Note: If your label will primarily be used outdoors in direct sunlight, silk screen printing is the best method to maintain the label’s quality. At this time, we do not offer silk screen printing.)
Another important consideration when selecting a label material for outdoor applications is the label’s adhesive. There are three main types of adhesives: permanent, removable, and repositionable. Not only are there different types, label adhesives can have varying characteristics even if they’re categorized as the same “type.” Below are some resources on label adhesives to help you better understand the options available to you.