Label Planet
Find out how removable labels work and why they help you remove sticky labels without getting in a sticky mess.
What Are Removable Labels & Removable Adhesives?
The name is a bit confusing because pretty much any self adhesive label can be removed – if you try hard enough. Removable labels, however, are designed specifically to be removed. They form adhesive bonds that hold your sticky labels in place but don’t leave behind adhesive residue when you remove your sticky labels.
Removable labels create temporary self adhesive labels. You may only need to label items for a specific length of time. Alternatively, if the information displayed on your labels needs to be updated, you may need sticky labels that are easy to replace.
How Do Removable Adhesives Work?
Like permanent adhesives, removable adhesives create an adhesive bond with a surface. Where they differ is how they behave when removing a sticky label.
To remove a permanent label by physical force alone, you have to apply enough force to break apart the adhesive layer. This often makes it difficult to remove the label in one piece (especially paper labels, which tend to tear apart) and leaves behind adhesive residue.
This is because permanent adhesives have excellent adhesion and cohesion. Adhesion is the strength of the adhesive bond with another surface, while cohesion is the internal strength of the adhesive bond itself.
Removable adhesives, therefore, tend to have high cohesion but lower adhesion. This means the internal strength of the adhesive bond is stronger than the external bond with a surface. When you remove a label, the adhesive layer remains in one piece (leaving no residue behind).
Most pressure sensitive (self-adhesive) removable adhesives work this way. Alternative methods rely on applying an external agent to permanent adhesives in order to break down the adhesive bond. One example is our Water Wash Off Labels, which have a permanent adhesive that breaks down when exposed to water. You can remove your permanent labels from labelled items simply by giving them a good wash.
What Kinds Of Removable Labels Are Available From Label Planet?
We supply a range of different removable labels to help our customers find an option that best suits their application.
REM: Paper labels with a standard removable adhesive. Ideal for general label applications where you need temporary sticky labels.
GREM: Paper labels with a super removable adhesive. This adhesive is designed specifically for delicate items (e.g. glass and paper items), which are more easily marked or damaged.
REMC: Coloured paper labels with a standard removable adhesive. Ideal if you need to temporarily colour code items.
GTR: Gloss transparent labels with a standard removable adhesive. They are for use with laser printers only. Perfect if you need to temporarily label glass items or create removable window stickers.
MWR: Matt white waterproof labels with a standard removable adhesive. Ideal if you need temporary labels that are also tough and durable, waterproof, and/or suitable for indoor and outdoor applications that involve exposure to water.
Order Removable Labels From Label Planet
You can view all of our removable labels on our List of All Removable Labels page. Use the View Products links to find out more or to buy removable labels from a particular range. Each range contains a variety of label sizes; some are available in packs of 25 sheets for same day despatch from stock, while the rest are available as made to order items (in boxes of 500 sheets).
We supply label templates for all of our label sizes, which can be downloaded from our website. If you would like to request a sample, so you can test the suitability of our removable labels for your application, simply fill in our online Request Form or contact our Customer Service Team.