While some labels are optimized for the shelf, others have been designed to withstand the harshest of conditions in the most obscure places.

Durable labels are required for a variety of end uses, ranging from automotive parts and appliances to outdoor goods and medical devices. A car battery, for example, might have a label on it with warnings and instructions. Other parts in need of labels include seat heaters and gas caps, among others. Outdoor goods might include lawn mowers, hedge trimmers, snow blowers and more.

These labels must survive extreme temperatures – both hot and cold – and moisture, as well as UV light. Of course, durable labels are often seen on chemical drum labels, where they must adhere to BS 5609 regulations.

“Durable labels often include critical information and need to remain on the product for its entire lifecycle,” explains Paul Purdef, Avery Dennison’s marketing director, Durables. “The label must withstand external environmental factors, and they also have to perform on the substrate itself, which could be textured, low surface energy or have an oily surface.”

When testing durable labels, the manufacturer must establish the performance requirements of the material as it relates to the application. Considerations often include extreme temperature ranges and even the condition of the substrate the label will be applied to. After the testing is completed, the manufacturer can then issue reports and data to verify that the durable pressure-sensitive materials that were tested meet the requirements of the application.

With an entire market segment requiring durable labeling, Avery Dennison has conducted extensive research and development on the optimal substrates and adhesives.

“Avery Dennison is excited to be offering our Laser PET solution for drum labeling,” says Purdef. “This product has undergone significant testing in our on-site lab to prove its excellent lay-flat capabilities in elevated humidity, which can be attributed to the liner in this construction. This product also has good static control and excellent printing, lending to overall performance and making this a ready solution for drum labeling applications.

Avery Dennison has also engineered a 3.5 mil water-based inkjet water-based inkjet product for drum label applications. The product features Avery Dennison’s S4600 adhesive and has been certified on Epson’s new C6000 series printer.

Some of the most commonly-requested materials include polyester and synthetic paper, which can be suitable for a variety of applications. The segment has seen growth in recent years, and Purdef expects that trend to continue.

“We do continue to see year-over-year growth, with some segments, such as general industrial, growing faster than others,” he notes. “We have seen that 2020 is predicted to have a higher number of new construction builds, which would lead to increased purchases of appliances and other home components that use durable labels.”

The market sees different brand demands, too. Even though durable labels are designed for performance, a subset of these labels still require the aesthetics to last the product’s lifecycle. Others will be engineered for fit, especially in lower-value applications.

Avery Dennison has developed a wide range of durable products for a range of end uses. “Avery Dennison continues to invest in resources to support durables labeling,” says Purdef. “We are currently the only label materials supplier with an on-site lab that is ISO 17025 certified for automotive applications and test material against UL 969 and CSA 22.2 for industrial warning and safety-related labels, and BS 5609 regulations for drum labeling. We are focused not only on offering a vast portfolio of solutions that can support the gamut of durables applications, but also offering a portfolio of testing services and support to make identifying and adopting the right material as seamless as possible.”