Many people’s concerns have to do with whether the freezer label will make it through low temperature and moisture: whether the ink or paper will break, whether the adhesive will stick until they don’t need the label anymore, whether removable labels will remove easily or they need to be scratched off from the surface of the packaging, getting torn in the process and leaving sticky residue…
Lacking the right information, people will choose a regular cold temp adhesive for a product that needs a freezer grade adhesive, only to experience the label wrinkling and making the printed text impossible to read. For the same reason – lack of information – people choose uncoated paper label stock for products that might be exposed to condensation or moisture in the freezer, which damages the paper and the label is easily torn. Labels exposed to these conditions should rather be made from vinyl or polyester, which are resistant to cold and moisture.
For a beverage that needs to be stored in the freezer, paper label probably isn’t the best option. Once the label gets wet, the color will run and make the label unreadable. However, if the customer prefers paper over polyester, he or she should be advised that lamination is necessary for labels that need to be protected against moisture. Ink can also be an issue. If choosing the wrong combination of ink and label stock, the ink can crack or dry up in the freezing conditions.
The Importance of Communicating with the Printing Team
Here is an example of lack of communication between a customer and the printing team. The customer ordered labels for frozen products, without specifying they would be applied to the product after it has been frozen. The customer also sent the exact design he wanted for the label, including the shape that was a very poor choice for the frozen product. Though the label was made from the toughest freezer grade material that can withstand extremely low temperatures, it ended up peeling around the edges due to inadequate label shape and the fact that it was applied to an already frozen product that was moist. There is no adhesive that could have adhered to a product in such conditions. So, the most important thing is communicating with the printing specialists. It is important to specify all factors that could affect the label: the product’s storing and handling conditions, its shape, surface and texture, exposure to moisture, UV, extreme temperatures etc.
These experiences of others are all valid concerns that you probably share with them. When you know nothing about freezer labels, it is very easy to assume that there’s not much to choosing one – how hard can it be?
As you will discover in other sections of the Freezer Labels University, careful consideration of label stock, adhesive and storing conditions is the key to choosing a fully satisfying label. With the info we provide here you’ll be able to easily avoid any label accidents.