Which Label Materials Can I Write On?
Posted by : Mercury Labels Ltd on Monday, December 6, 2021 in Printed Labels.
For some applications, nothing beats professionally printed labels with your own custom designs. Elsewhere, it is essential to keep a stockpile of labels that can be written on by hand.
Typical examples of which include PAT testing stickers, gas boiler service labels and anywhere a date or price may need to be added to a product.
This is where things can get tricky, as not all label materials are compatible with all writing methods. Some labels are great for pencils, but entirely incompatible with most ink pens. Use the wrong pen or pencil to write on the wrong label and it will smear, smudge and perhaps become completely illegible.
If looking to buy labels you can write on, here is a quick overview of the basics you need to know:
Labels for Writing with Pencils and Crayons
The standard option for most labels that can be written on is standard matte paper. This is one of the most basic types of labels and also one of the most affordable, with versatility that extends to pens, pencils, markers, crayons and more.
Paper labels in general can be highly versatile, unless they are finished with some kind of coating. Coated papers in general can be difficult to write on, without the risk of smearing or smudging.
Labels for Writing with Ballpoint Pens and Biros
The same applies with most ballpoint pens which are not compatible with smooth, glossy or ‘finished’ surfaces. Their use tends to be strictly limited to matte labels, such as unfinished paper.
Ballpoint pens are rarely the preferred tool of choice for writing on product labels, but are essential when it comes to things like shipping parcels and letters by mail.
Labels for Writing with Permanent Markers
A good permanent marker is compatible with a long list of synthetic and non-synthetic label materials. From papers to laminates to all types of smooth and glossy surfaces, a thick-tipped permanent marker is an indispensable tool.
However, permanent markers should be avoided when writing on any type of label with a porous surface. Writing on some types of untreated paper could result in the ink ‘bleeding’ unattractively into the surrounding material.
Labels for Writing and Erasing
As a more sustainable option, you could also choose the types of labels that can be reused indefinitely. For example, some laminate surfaces are not compatible with certain marker pens, as they are manufactured in a way that prevents ink from drying on the surface. In which case, you are effectively looking at a dry-wipe label where the ink can be removed and the label reused.
For applications where information needs to be regularly updated or changed, this can be a highly cost-effective and eco-friendly option.
Final Note
Along with the above, it is also important to be mindful of the conditions the label in question will be exposed to. Irrespective of how effectively a writing tool works with any given label, the result could be compromised by extreme temperatures, fluctuations in temperature, atmospheric humidity and so on.
If in doubt, consult with your label manufacturer before ordering, in order to determine which materials are most suitable for your intended applications.
