The Value of Choosing the Right Label

When choosing a label for a product, it can be tempting to focus solely on the price per piece. If two labels look similar, why pay more for one over the other?

The better question that I like to ask in this situation would be: Is this label right for my application?

The cost of a label, decal, or emblem is only one part of the decision. Materials, adhesives, finishes, the product surface, and the environment where the label will be used can all affect how well it performs and maintains its appearance. When working with customers, our team here at Auld always recommends looking beyond the initial price to understand what the product actually requires.

The Cheapest Option Isn't Always the Most Cost-Effective

The same kind of label doesn't work for every product on the market, and we don't believe in a one-size-fits-all solution.

For example, a label used on a watercraft exposed to UV rays, moisture, temperature changes, and abrasion would have different requirements than one used in a more controlled environment like medical equipment in a healthcare facility. Knowledge of these factors is necessary to determining which materials and finishes may be appropriate for an application.

This is part of the reason we encourage customers to look beyond the initial price. A lower-cost option may not be the right choice if it doesn't provide the characteristics the application requires.

Our goal is to help find a labeling solution that balances appearance, durability, and performance based on the product and how it will be used.

The Impact of Adhesion and Application

A label, decal, or emblem needs to work with the surface it's being applied to.

We look at the relationship between the adhesive, substrate, and product surface when considering label performance. Factors such as oils, dust, and chemicals can interfere with adhesion, which is why proper surface preparation makes a big difference.

The right adhesive can also depend on the specific application. When we discuss a project with a customer, understanding the product surface and the conditions the label will encounter helps us determine what materials and adhesives may be appropriate.

A selected label may seem like the perfect complement to your product initially, but if the adhesive and materials aren't suited to the application, it may not deliver the performance you're looking for.

Durability in the Field

Where a label is used matters just as much as how it looks. Some product may be exposed to sunlight, moisture, scratches, harsh weather, and other environmental conditions that can affect a label over time. When we're evaluating a labeling solution, we want to understand those conditions before recommending a material or finish.

For example, our film cut labels are designed for both indoor and outdoor applications and offer resistance to UV rays, moisture, scratches, and harsh weather.

We believe environmental requirements should be part of the conversation from the beginning. The solution that works well for one product may not be the right choice for another, even if the labels initially look similar.

Understanding the application helps us determine what materials and finishes make the most sense.

Consistent Branding Starts with the Details

A label can play an important role in the overall appearance of a product and brand.

Clean edges, sharp graphics, consistent finishes, and quality materials can contribute to a polished presentation. When products are part of the same brand or product line, maintaining a consistent visual appearance can also help create a more cohesive, professional look.

Depending on the product and desired appearance, we can work with different finishes, including gloss, matte, metallic, textured, domed, and dimensional options.

Throughout my years with Auld, I've seen how the right label or emblem can become an extension of a product's overall design. That's why we consider more than just whether a label will adhere. We also look at how its shape, finish, and visual characteristics fit the product and brand.

A label should work for the application and look like it belongs on the product.

Choose for the Application, Not Just the Price

When we're helping a customer select a label, we start with the application itself.

We consider questions such as:

• Where will the label be used?
• What environmental conditions will it encounter?
• What type of surface will it be applied to?
• What level of durability is needed?
• What appearance and finish fit the product and brand?

From there, we can evaluate the materials, adhesive, and finish based on those requirements.

We offer a range of labeling and identification solutions, including domed labels and emblems, film cut labels, deboss labels, D3 emblems, and safety stickers. Each option can provide different visual and performance characteristics, which is why we believe the application should guide the selection.

The goal isn't simply to find the cheapest label. It's to find a solution that makes sense for the product, environment, and brand.

We take that approach because the right labeling solution should provide the characteristics the application requires while complementing the product's overall appearance, providing value throughout the product lifecycle.

When we understand the product, its environment, and what the label needs to accomplish, we can help customers choose a solution based on long-term value rather than price alone.