Which Label Materials Are Easiest To Write On?
Posted by : Mercury Labels Ltd on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 in Choosing Your Labels.
Most types of labels are comparatively easy to write on, if
you use the right type of pen, pencil or marker. By contrast, protecting the
information you write on your labels from smearing and smudging can be an
entirely different story.
This is something most businesses will have experienced at
some point in time. You write important
information on the label, you stick it in place and all seems well. Only to
find that upon returning to said label, the information it once contained is
now completely illegible.
Choosing the appropriate materials for your labels is
therefore just as important as choosing the right tools to write on them.
Rather than selecting label materials at random, here is what you should be
going for, based on your preferred writing tools:
Labels Compatible with Standard
Pencils
There is a fairly limited scope for labels to be marked or
written on with standard pencils. Basic matte paper is the only realistic
option, as anything else will be practically impossible to work with.
Any type of material with a glossy or shiny finish will be
entirely incompatible with standard pencils. Matte paper is easy to write on,
though is not particularly durable in its raw form. Standard paper labels are
therefore unsuitable for heavy-duty applications, or for use in humid
environments.
However, what they lack in durability they more than make up
for in affordability and simplicity.
Labels Compatible with Ballpoint
Pens
The same basic rules apply with ballpoint pens, which
likewise are incompatible with glossy surfaces. If you plan on marking your
labels with everyday biros, you need labels with a matte surface.
Along with standard paper, matte polypropylene and
polyethylene are also good options for ballpoint pens. They are significantly
more durable than paper, with minimal risk of smudging or smearing.
Matte polypropylene in particular is a popular choice for
maintenance labels, where important information needs to be kept as legible as
possible long-term.
Labels Compatible with Permanent
Markers
Permanent markers offer much broader compatibility with a
wide variety of synthetic and non-synthetic materials. The ink in a permanent
marker pen glides effortlessly onto glossy and matte surfaces alike and the
result is naturally long-lasting.
The only real limitation with permanent markers is the
potential for bleeding. Some types of matte materials (like standard matte
paper) are not ideal for permanent markers, as the ink can bleed into the
surrounding space and make the information difficult to interpret.
In addition, some laminate materials are designed
specifically to prevent permanent marker ink from drying on the surface. A
disadvantage in some instances, but potentially advantageous if you are looking
for a dry-wipe surface that can be reused indefinitely.
Write and Seal Labels
An option with the potential to combine the best of both
worlds is the write and seal label. This is where a standard labelling material
(like matte paper) is accompanied by a second transparent label of the same
size, which can be affixed to the surface to create a protective seal.
Upon applying this secondary label, the material below
benefits from robust protection from moisture, heat, abrasions and so on. If
some of your labels require additional protection while others are fine as they
are, this could be the ideal solution.
What Type of Label is Best for Me?
Choosing the right labels for your business means
considering the following factors:
• What types of materials and surfaces
you will be attaching the labels to
• The atmospheric conditions the
labels will be exposed to
• Whether you need your labels to
stick permanently or temporarily
• The writing tools you will be using
to write on your labels
• How much information needs to be
written on your labels
• Whether practicality or presentation
is your priority
At Mercury Labels, we would be delighted to provide you with
an obligation-free consultation to discuss the options available. After which,
a sample run can be organised, enabling you to put your labels to the test and
see how they perform in practice.
For more information on any of the above or to discuss your
requirements in more detail, contact a member of the team at Mercury Labels
today.
