Ask the Experts
December 2010
Q: What's the best way to have safety labels stick in wet environments?
A: Effective Labeling in Wet Environments -
DuraLabel vinyl label supply is the most popular supply for DuraLabel thermal transfer printers. It is manufactured through a process called calendaring which stretches and flattens the vinyl through a combination of heat and pressure.
Due to its thickness, this type of vinyl is resistant to friction and abrasion and can have a life span of 5 or more years outdoors, which means it's probably going to get wet. In most cases, this type of vinyl can stand up to normal exposure to moisture. But what about special applications where extreme moisture or high humidity can undermine the adherence and life span of a label? There are solutions available for almost every type of moisture heavy environment.
Vinyl supplies can be made more moisture resistant by applying clear laminate protective tape. Clear laminates are tested to withstand exposure to solvents, chemicals and ultraviolet light and make an excellent moisture barrier.
If the moisture is the result of a marine environment, Marine Label Tapes are available. Industrial grade marine label tape is designed to withstand extended exposure on oceangoing vessels and is compliant with British Standard (BS) 5609 for saltwater immersion.
If the label environment isn't as harsh as ocean air, but will still be exposed to significant moisture, Ultra-Aggressive vinyl is an option. The extra strength adhesive backing on this vinyl supply is specially designed for low energy surfaces.
Valve tags are another solution for wet environments. Valve tags are labels that are adhered to a plastic of metal tag which is then attached to a surface or pipe with wire or plastic tie wrap.
Label Application
Proper label application is extremely important for successful adherence in wet environments. Prevention and removal of bubbles and wrinkles can be avoided by applying small portions of the label and smoothing out those portions uniformly with an application squeegee.
Preparing the surface through thorough cleaning or applying a solution like DuraLabel EZ-ON can aid in setting up a smooth flawless, moisture resistant application.
For a free hard copy of our DuraLabel Supply Catalog that includes
Oily Surface Tapes and Ribbons call 1-888-326-9244
Or download a PDF copy here: DuraLabel Supply Catalog (low res) | DuraLabel Supply Catalog (high res)
