Manufacturers of adhesive labels create a variety of sizes, shapes and colors for the labels they produce. Manufacturers also make the label with different materials. Selecting the best adhesive label for your needs may be the most time consuming aspect of using adhesive labels.

Once you settle on the type of adhesive label you want to use, you need to consider some additional items to determine the best product.

1. Evaluate your office equipment and determine whether you want to use it to make your adhesive labels.

2. Decide whether you want to purchase software or download templates that work with your adhesive labels.

3. Consider purchasing adhesive label makers bundled with software.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Determine what type of adhesive label to use

You can order custom printed labels or you can select from an inventory of premade labels. You can also buy die cut template sheets and print your own adhesive labels. If your product comes in contact with moisture, consider using waterproof adhesive labels made from vinyl. Self-adhesive labels stick to products without the need for the user to moisten the adhesive.

I recommend: International Paper provides an in-depth overview of the properties for adhesive labels, including the face stock, primer and top-coat. Use the checklist at Badger Tag & Label to determine what type of adhesive label best fits your needs. You can click on the links provided for information on properties like stocks, colors and finishes.

Purchase or download a software program specifically for adhesive labels

Whether you want to use adhesive shipping labels, self adhesive address labels or labels to mark your inventory, you can print your own with the right templates. Most manufacturers of adhesive labels use templates for both the die cut sheets of blank adhesive labels and for the software that places your text in the correct position.

I recommend: WorldLabel.com provides downloadable templates for Adobe, Avery and Microsoft Word. You can order CD templates or use the company's PDF templates. Avery, a powerhouse manufacturer in the adhesive label industry, provides free software on its website. You can use templates, download software to work with Microsoft Office or create online designs.

Bundle software with adhesive label makers

For companies that plan to use a high volume of adhesive labels, it may be cost effective to purchase an adhesive label printer that comes with software. Most of these have templates so you can create general labels like self adhesive shipping labels or speciality labels like barcodes.

I recommend: DYMO offers demos of how to use its software with its label printers and other products. You can also create your own bundle to ensure you get the best package for your needs. BuyHeatShrink.com carries the Datamax I-Class series of label printers, which come with everything you need to use them, including the software.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Order custom printed or premade adhesive labels that arrive ready for use if you don't want to print your own.

Think about where and how adhesive labels – also known as Pressure Sensitive Adhesives (PSAs) – are/can be used in your business. Are they used only on non-food packaging, in a climate-controlled shop, away from sunlight? Or, perhaps on packaged, raw meats, exposed to water/ice in a butcher's case? Are they used with mailings to wow your customers?

Adhesive labels are used in countless ways in many industries. It's up to you to decide how you'll use them, and which ones will most benefit your business.

To choose the most effective adhesive labels, you must:

1. Determine which products and other business applications need adhesive labels.
2. Examine the conditions under which the labels will be used.
3. Choose between custom or stock labels.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Assess adhesive applications

Examine the usage, type, and qualities of PSAs you need. You'll use different types for various applications, including envelopes, shipping, product tags and barcodes, and nametags. Now, go to the experts in all things sticky – Avery.

I recommend: Avery is a worldwide label giant. Their Web site offers endless ideas, free templates, printable label forms and more. Sign up for a free newsletter for special offers/freebies.

Consider the conditions

If you're thinking about placing labels on products exposed to constant sunlight, excessive temperatures (such as a grocer's freezer), or other harsh environments, talk to PSA experts who will advise on the best materials and adhesives to choose.

I recommend: Western States Envelope and Label's detailed checklist and free downloadable Resource Guide helps you pin down your business's needs by machine-applied, barcoded, or specific performance. NEBS has a wide selection of labels geared to small business needs.

Buy online for less

Label costs can add up if you're not careful. Cut costs without cutting quality by visiting online stores for the standard products, at less than standard pricing.

I recommend: Online Labels has sold over 5 billion labels online with low prices and same-day shipping. At PrintMyThing you can design and order custom labels in four easy steps.

Go ahead and DIY!

Today's do-it-yourself labels barely resemble the amateur 'stickers' of 5 or 10 years ago. Label-makers have come a long way, baby, so check them out.

I recommend: Some types of Avery Software can be downloaded for free, and most include free online training. Avery templates are built into many popular software programs through its Software Alliances – including several Mac software programs, such as Mac OS X Tiger, MS Word for Mac, and more. Download the free Avery Wizard Printing Software (as an add-on to MS Word), which formats up to 475 Avery products.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  PSAs can be measured how well the label bonds with surface (tack), how easily the label can be removed (peel) and how much the label 'moves' over time (resistance).
• •  PSAs can be permanent (as in safety labels for power equipment), or removable (on painter's tape, EKG electrodes, and transdermal medical patches).
• •  Many software/online templates allow you to design custom labels and print them yourself.
• •  Deal with manufacturers and distributors who are willing to spend time developing the right solution for your unique label applications.

Adhesive labels stick onto larger objects when the adhesive side gets pressed onto the object. Manufacturers of adhesive labels offer a variety of styles including self adhesive shipping labels, return address labels and more.

Adhesive labels basics include the two main label types, adhesive labels and self adhesive labels. Adhesive labels require the application of moisture, like a lick from your tongue, to activate the adhesive and make it sticky. With self adhesive labels, a backing keeps the adhesive moist and ready for use without requiring activation by a liquid.

1. Print self adhesive shipping labels or other types of labels using your office computer and printer.

2. Use adhesive labels for your shipping needs.

3. Order custom printed adhesive labels for a variety of tasks.

4. Purchase adhesive label makers for specialty adhesive labels such as barcodes.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Order adhesive labels that you can print on

Most labels designed for use with a printer are self adhesive labels. These labels come in all shapes, sizes and colors and can perform a variety of tasks, including marking files, organizing locations or denoting the price of items. Software programs that work with specific layouts of adhesive labels allow you to print return address labels, shipping labels and other styles of pre-set labels.

I recommend: Choose from a variety of styles, sizes, shapes and colors for adhesive labels designed for laser and inkjet printers at WorldLabel.com. PressLabel.com offers die cut template sheets of laser printer labels. Find out how you can incorporate adhesive labels into your business with the demos from Avery.

Create self adhesive shipping labels and other postage items with adhesive labels

With adhesive labels, managing your mailing list can become easier and quicker. With the correct type of adhesive label template, you can print shipping labels with postage already paid, which comes in handy if you mail a high volume of products.

I recommend: ShippingLabels.com carries adhesive mailing labels such as arrow labels, international shipping labels and invoice and packing slip labels. Print domestic and international shipping labels with postage at USPS.

Purchase custom printed adhesive labels

Custom printed labels can include flexible packaging labels that wrap around cans, bottles or other containers; consecutive number labels; 4-color process labels and more.

I recommend: Order custom printed adhesive labels from Consolidated Label. The company also refers to this type of label as a pressure sensitive label. Use the design online tool at LabelChoices.com to create your own custom design, which the company will print on the adhesive labels you choose.

Print barcodes and other speciality labels with adhesive label makers

Adhesive label makers can print small numbers of labels one at a time, which means you won't waste labels or ink trying to print a label from a template sheet. You can also use a label maker to print inventory tags or barcodes.

I recommend: Browse the selection of label printers available from Brother. Find industrial label makers at Connex Electronics.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you print your own adhesive labels, make sure you allow the ink to dry, because trying to use the label too soon may smear the ink.
• •  Manufacturers of adhesive labels print labels on a variety of materials. If your product may be exposed to moisture, consider using waterproof adhesive labels.

Adhesive labels are significant products for industrial and promotional materials, as well as having applications for food, beverage and other consumer packaging. Recognizing adhesive labels key terms helps you gain additional information about these glue-based items beyond just colors, sizes and shapes. Terminology related to adhesive labels indicates features and specifications such as backing material type, substrate compatibility, temperature controls and heating and melting processes. Choices of adhesive labels also include permanent, removable and repositionable. To ensure the proper backing and labeling of your products, stick with some common adhesive labels key terms.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Tack

The term tack refers to the measure of an adhesive label's attraction to glass, wood and other substrates or surfaces. Tack also pertains to the amount of force needed to remove or reposition an adhesive label from a surface.

I recommend: Bostik offers descriptions, applications and other information regarding the tack of adhesive labels.

Acrylic-based

Made from polymers, acrylic-based adhesive labels stick to corrugated packaging, metal, glass and plastic. Some acrylic adhesive labels work well in cold and sub-freezing temperature applications.

I recommend: Discover the characteristics of acrylic-based adhesives at Tekra. Information on features and specifications can also be found at Omnexus 4 Adhesives.

Rubber-based

Rubber-based refers to a type of label with an adhesive that is fabricated from synthetic or natural rubbers. These types of adhesive labels apply to metal, wood, glass or plastic.

I recommend: Weber Marking Systems features information about rubber-based adhesive labels and other labeling systems. Diagraph Label Group includes detailed descriptions of rubber-based adhesive labels.

Hot melt

Hot melt adhesives are another type of rubber-based adhesive. Manufacturers apply these adhesives to their backings or surfaces at high temperatures.

I recommend: Learn more about the origins of hot melt adhesives and labels at Gluefast. Chemsultants International also explains the specifications of hot melt adhesives.

Pressure-sensitive

Many adhesive labels are pressure-sensitive, which means you must apply pressure in order for the label to stick to surfaces.

I recommend: Rayven features articles on pressure-sensitive adhesive labels and applications. Color Craft Label Company also explains the characteristics of pressure-sensitive labels.

RFID Smart Label encoding systems

Radio frequency identification (RFID) label systems encode data onto tags, adhesive labels and other types of labels. Information is then captured by a reader, which is similar to bar coding.

I recommend: Zebra Technologies reports on the basics of RFID Smart Label systems. Datamax also displays general information about RFID printers.