How Do Pressure-Sensitive Labels Work & What Is the Technology Behind Them?
Pressure-sensitive labels are the most widely used labeling technology in today’s packaging market. Instead of relying on water-, heat-, or solvent-activated adhesives, PSLs use a pressure-activated adhesive system that bonds to a surface with light to moderate pressure. They can be applied manually or through fully automated pressure-sensitive labeling equipment, making them highly versatile for food and beverage operations.
A pressure-sensitive label is typically constructed from four key components:
Release liner
Release liner
The removable backing that supports the label during storage, handling, and application. It consists of a base liner material and a release coating that prevents the adhesive from adhering until the label is ready to be applied.
Adhesive
Adhesive
The pressure-activated adhesive layer that enables the label to bond securely to packaging materials, containers, or processing equipment surfaces.
Facestock
Facestock
The primary material that carries the printed graphics, branding, ingredient statements, barcodes, and other required information.
Topcoat
Topcoat
A protective coating or laminate applied to the facestock to enhance print quality, resist moisture or abrasion, and deliver the desired finish.
The release liner plays a critical role in ease of use. Because it is engineered with low-surface-energy materials—such as siliconized paper or film—it allows the adhesive to separate cleanly from the liner when pressure is applied to the facestock during application. This controlled release ensures consistent dispensing and reliable adhesion across a wide range of food processing surfaces and packaging formats.
What Are the Key Benefits of Using Pressure-Sensitive Labels?
What Are the Key Benefits of Using Pressure-Sensitive Labels?
Pressure-sensitive labels are cost-effective and simple to apply—either manually or with automated equipment. They are designed to withstand demanding environments involving friction, abrasion, sterilization processes, moisture, humidity, UV exposure, and other extreme conditions. Their pressure-activated adhesive enables reliable bonding on humid, rough, dusty, or lightly contaminated surfaces, as well as on challenging substrates such as rubber and non-polar polyolefin materials.
PSLs are also an environmentally friendly labeling option, as many constructions minimize the use of volatile compounds and incorporate recyclable or disposable components.
Another major advantage is customization. Pressure-sensitive labels are compatible with high-definition printing technologies, allowing for extensive flexibility in size, shape, materials, colors, finishes, and functional design features. This versatility makes them ideal for meeting diverse branding, regulatory, and product identification needs in food processing applications.
What Applications Do Pressure-Sensitive Labels Serve in Food Processing Applications?
What Applications Do Pressure-Sensitive Labels Serve in Food Processing Applications?
The durability, ease of application, and versatility of pressure-sensitive labels make them ideal for a wide range of food and beverage processing needs. PSLs are used throughout the industry to identify, brand, and provide regulatory information for countless types of consumable goods. Common applications include:
- Candies and confectionery products
- Canned and jarred foods
- Condiments, dressings, and spreads
- Frozen and refrigerated foods
- Jams, jellies, and preserves
- Sauces, marinades, and syrups
- Spices, seasonings, and dry mixes
- Specialty beverages, craft drinks, and alcoholic beverages
These examples represent only a portion of the food products that rely on pressure-sensitive labels for clear, durable, and compliant packaging identification.
Pressure-Sensitive Labeling Solutions From NADCO
Pressure-Sensitive Labeling Solutions From NADCO
Industries such as food and beverage processing depend on pressure-sensitive labels to meet branding, compliance, and product identification requirements. These labels must perform reliably across a wide range of packaging formats and production environments.
At NADCO® Tapes & Labels, Inc., we produce both standard and fully customized pressure-sensitive labels tailored to each customer’s specifications. Our capabilities include flexographic printing, spot color printing, and short-run digital printing in up to seven colors, along with in-house prototyping, die-cutting, slitting, and converting. These integrated services allow us to deliver precise, high-quality labels that align with your brand and operational needs.
All NADCO® products are manufactured in the USA using advanced equipment and high-performance materials to ensure consistent results, fast lead times, and dependable quality.
Contact us to learn more about our pressure-sensitive label solutions or request a quote to get started on your next project.
Industries We Serve
Aerospace Industry
Aerospace Industry
The aerospace industry uses adhesive tapes to hold and insulate critical components under exposure to a wide variety of harsh conditions, including extreme temperatures, high moisture, fluctuating pressures, and UV radiation. To withstand the operational challenges posed by aerospace equipment, tapes must meet stringent standards and requirements for temperature resistance, flammability, low weight, and adhesion.
Automotive Industry
Automotive Industry
NADCO Tapes and Labels is a leading manufacturer of standard and custom tapes and pressure-sensitive labels. With our 35,000 square foot facility full of the latest manufacturing technology, we can create custom products for countless industries, including the automotive industry.
Contruction Industry
Contruction Industry
There are many applications for adhesive tapes on construction sites both within a structure’s interior and around the exterior, and many types of construction tapes exist that provide solutions for this industry.
Electronics Industry
Electronics Industry
Adhesive tapes are common in the electronics industry. While they’re typically used for insulation and other safety reasons, there are a number of specific applications that require different custom tapes. At NADCO, we’re proud to offer a wide range of materials and adhesive options that can be used for electronic products and applications, from masking and shielding to mounting and more. Over the years, we’ve worked with countless clients in the electronics space, and not only are we familiar with industry requirements and expectations, we’ve worked to create custom solutions for these companies.
Medical Industry
Medical Industry
Adhesive tapes used in the medical industry must meet strict medical-grade standards that often require customization. The tapes used in medical applications have the potential of being exposed to varying conditions, so they must have biocompatibility and be able to withstand intense environments.
Nuclear Industry
Nuclear Industry
At NADCO, we understand that each application is different, which is why we provide a wide range of nuclear tape and label designs, features, and customization options. We aim to enhance the safety of nuclear applications with quality adhesive solutions for every situation, from nuclear warning labels and RAD wipes to hazard tape and radioactivity indicator signage.
Personal Protective Equipment Industry
Personal Protective Equipment Industry
Personal protective equipment (PPE) is a broad term that refers to the equipment used to reduce your risk of injury or illness caused by exposure to germs and dangerous working conditions. Different types of PPE are required across various industries, depending upon the unique risks posed on the job site. These include face and eye protection as well as hard hats for the construction industry.
Safety Industry
Safety Industry
Safety is a crucial aspect of any work environment. Employees need a safe work environment, and customers must be able to access products and services without undue risk. In order to establish safe facilities, many companies incorporate safety tapes.
