Freezer Label Materials
– Durable & Cold Resistant Labels –
Freezer Label Materials for Cold Storage Solutions
If you need to label a frozen product, it is of the utmost importance to choose a proper freezer-grade material your labels will be printed on. This type of material is specifically designed to withstand cold and freezing storage conditions frozen goods are kept in.
Two key components of every freezer label material are adhesive and facestock. Freezer-safe adhesive enables you to apply a sticker to your already frozen product making sure that it won’t fall off after you return the product in the freezer. Facestock is the non-adhesive side that receives the ink and which the information is printed on.
Here you can download our PDF catalog of label materials with detailed information about each material we offer:
There are many different label materials, however, only some of them are freezer proof and can be used for manufacturing of custom freezer labels. Below is the list of some of the most common label stocks with freezer adhesive:
Paper
Due to its rigid nature, custom labels printed on freezer proof paper material are typically used for flat surface frozen products, such as ice cream or deli containers, kept in a dry or slightly wet environment. Freezer papers come on both sheets and rolls and are generally considered to be one of the most economical solutions for custom freezer labels. Coated freezer papers are more durable and moisture resistant than uncoated papers.
Polyester
Polyester material is used to produce the most durable weatherproof labels that are highly resistant to moisture. Labels printed on this material are suitable for various substrates and able to withstand the most extreme outdoor conditions, such as heat, sunlight, humidity, abrasion, coldness and scratches.
Polypropylene (PP) & Polyethylene (PE)
Although similar, these two freezer proof label materials which typically come on rolls are not the same. Polypropylene is a bit thinner than polyethylene, and thinner means more labels on a roll, resulting in savings on inventory and shipping & handling costs. On the other hand, polyethylene is more flexible than polypropylene and, therefore, more suitable for frozen food products with non-uniform substrates, as well as squeezable bottles and other flexible freezer containers. Both label stocks are highly durable, freezer-grade, food safe, moisture proof and oil resistant materials available in clear (transparent) and white versions.
Vinyl (PVC – Polyvinyl Chloride)
Vinyl is one of the toughest flexible freezer-grade label stocks which works perfectly with all kinds of packaging for frozen food products with smooth or uneven surfaces, as well as other frozen and non-frozen items stored in cold and wet conditions. Due to its flexibility, great service temperature range and high resistance to moisture and chemicals, vinyl label material is a very reliable solution for custom freezer labels which need to withstand very low temperatures for a long period of time.
You can read a more detailed description of each of these label materials in our PDF catalog.
Freezer Paper Labels VS. Freezer Poly Labels
When it comes to durability, flexibility, toughness, moisture resistance, poly labels may seem as a logical choice compared to freezer paper stickers. Indeed, it does make more sense to order custom vinyl or polypropylene labels if you sell vacuum sealed frozen meat or shrimps or dog food products in plastic bags, stand up pouches or some other type of flexible packaging. However, it is worth mentioning that paper materials are typically the most cost effective options for custom freezer labels and they usually weigh less than poly label stocks, which additionally cuts some shipping costs as well. In terms of the temperature resistance, both paper and poly labels are able to withstand freezing temperatures as low as -40°F (-40°C). However, resistance to heat is in paper labels favor, as they are able to withstand very hot conditions as high as +230°F (+110°C), unlike most of the poly labels which are designed to withstand temperatures only up to +176°F (+80°C). In practice, this means that frozen products with paper labels applied to them can be microwaved and the ones with poly labels cannot. Finally, if you need to label your frozen ground beef packages, pasture raised whole chickens, frozen shrimps or Atlantic salmon you should definitely consider a custom freezer poly label option as the best quality and the most reliable solution for frozen food in any type of flexible packaging.
Popular Label Stock for Freezer Grade Applications
For products that are typically stored in the freezer, we offer the following custom made freezer proof labels:
- Freezer Paper – With adequate all temperature adhesive and proper lamination, freezer paper is commonly used for all types of deep freeze applications, such as meat and seafood labels, ice cream labels, etc.
- Freezer Poly materials – Ideal for cryogenic conditions, especially freezer vinyl.
- Freezer Vinyl
- Freezer Polypropylene
- Freezer Polyester
You can also order blank freezer labels from us. Blank sheet labels with freezer adhesive are a great solution for do it yourself shoestring budgets where small quantities and multiple varieties play a major factor. We offer these labels with freezer adhesive coated on laminated paper, polypropylene on rolls, vinyl or polyester stock.
For details about each of these freezer label materials, and to find out which label face stock is ideal for your product, contact our printing specialists at support@freezerlabels.net.