Sticking Labels on Bottles

For the sake of this post, we will offer our suggestions for manually attaching wrap-around or front-and-back bottle labels.

Front and Back Label

A typical method of labeling your bottle is with a front label for your brand, logo, and variety, and a separate label for the back to provide additional information, such as nutritional facts, product history, brand story, and so forth.

A Label that Wraps over Curved Surfaces

A single label that may be printed on and then wrapped around the bottle to create a continuous design is another popular option.

What you’ll require is:
sterile, dry, and at room temperature bottles
A spot-free microfiber cloth
Alcoholic rags (optional)
Self-stick labels

First Step: Knowing your Bottle

There is a huge range in the sizes and forms of bottles. The majority of bottles appear standard, but while applying the labels, you must take into account the curvature or your unique design. Your bottle can feature a seam, a sloping neck, or a faint lip. The most frequent cause of labels puckering, creasing, bubbling, or wrinkling when applied is failure to pay attention to these characteristics. Always keep in mind that a smooth surface is ideal.

Second Step: Ensure that the Bottle is Dry and Clean

The surface you have chosen to apply the label on must be at normal temperature for the label to properly adhere to the bottle. Here, you can use alcohol wipes to make sure the bottles are free of any dust or residue. If you do, be sure to use a lint-free microfiber cloth to dry the area before sticking your label on.

Third Step: Align your Labels

Once you’ve chosen the location, you may align the label so that it will be straight when you apply it by using the seam of the bottle. If your bottle’s seam isn’t as obvious, a ruler, measuring tape, and pencil are good alternatives.

Fourth Step: Putting your Labels On

It’s time to peel your label from the backing by starting at one corner once your self-adhesive labels have warmed up to room temperature. Hold the label by the edges to prevent oil from your fingertips, grime, or dust from getting on the adhesive. You may be able to peel a section of certain bigger roll-mounted labels before sticking them on the bottle. Reduce the amount of contact with your hands by using the roll to keep tension.

You can use your lap for the front and rear labels to ensure that the bottle stays in position. Alternately, secure the bottle between two heavy items (blocks of wood offer a simple solution to stop the bottle from rolling away).

Starting from one side and working your way to the other can help you avoid trapping air bubbles or wrinkling your fabric. You can lightly secure the label in place by lightly rubbing it with your microfiber cloth. Labels must wait 12 to 24 hours for the glue to fully cure. Why not think about bespoke embossed labels? It’s important to stand out and have consistent branding across your labels.

It’s annoying. We comprehend. But occasionally, the suggestions offered by some label firms for your containers are merely incorrect. Missing application information is frequently to blame. Here are a few causes of labels that don’t stick.

1. Texture

How effectively a label adheres to your container is greatly influenced by its texture. Here is an illustration of what we mean:

You would undoubtedly struggle to remove a typically removable adhesive from the newspaper without shredding the paper if you tried to do so. However, the likelihood of swiftly and cleanly removing the label from a non-stick pan is significantly higher. It might not adhere sufficiently, leading to a separate issue.

Although it is a simple example, it proves the principle. Application quality is crucial.

The application won’t always be as simple as sticking your label to a piece of paper or a non-stick pan. Instead, there will be a tiny difference in the texture of your container. For instance, many glass bottles and jars contain anti-scratch coatings that function similarly to those found on non-stick cookware.

Discuss the specifications of your container with your label printer, and ideally provide samples so that the proper adhesive can be suggested for testing.

2. Vinyl (or Plasticizer)

Vinyl’s lack of environmental friendliness has led to a sharp fall in its current level of use. However, due to its flexibility, it remained the preferred plastic material for a long time. There are still a few vinyl-made bottles on the market today. You’ll be able to know by its scent (like the scent of a vinyl shower curtain) or by the recycling #3 marking with a V underneath it.

Your container contains a plasticizer if it is constructed of vinyl. Its pliability and softness are caused by the plasticizer. Many of the adhesives you use are constructed of plastic resins with a rubber foundation, so when the plasticizer is added, it will respond as expected. Vinyl labels will eventually deteriorate to the point that they break off. When your labels come off at the retailer after six months, you don’t want a surprise.

The plasticizer will eventually break down rubber-based, soft adhesives. Ultimately, the label won’t adhere as well and might even come off. It can also leave behind a plastic residue, which is what vinyl binders typically have.

Know what kind of plastic you are using as a solution. The best stick will result from pairing the appropriate plastic kind with your glue.

Aside: If you use vinyl containers, it might be wise to think about switching to a more environmentally friendly container. In addition to saving the environment, using conventional adhesives might also result in financial savings.

3. Spillage

Food and beverage products, as well as personal care items, tend to spill into the container during a production fill. When it comes to label lift, an oil-based product—which many food, cosmetics, and health items are—can spell disaster.
The oil will remain to cover the surface of the adhesive, preventing it from adhering to your container correctly even if the user often wipes down the bottle.

You must test your container surface before using them if this is the case with your product. To accomplish this, clean your container by rubbing it with rubbing alcohol. Next, use a fresh label from the same lot. If it sticks, you know your containers need to be cleaned more thoroughly. The steps are as follows:

• Apply the labels before adding your product to the bottle, and make sure the used material is moisture or oil resistant.
• Before putting the label on your containers, clean them with alcohol or put them in a cleaner bath.
• If you can’t do that, use a wrap label so the overlap adheres to the wrap rather than your container.
• If there is a chance to reduce leakage, take advantage of it.