PRODUCT INFORMATION
The following listings provide general information
about the products that we sell, as well as their potential applications.
Use the links to the left to jump to specific products classifications.
Use the "up arrows" next to each class listing to jump
back to the top of this page.
This information is for general reference
only. Any specific questions about material properties should be directed to the manufacturer or other knowledgeable vendor. The consumer should always test all applications for adhesion and processablity.
 Click here to view our Adhesive Comparison Chart.
FACE STOCKS
ACETATES 
Acetate is the original film stock used in almost
every application where paper was not acceptable. Similar to polyester
and vinyl, acetate required special handling-particularly in ink
receptivity and press conversion-which was attempted by only the
experienced converter. However, as technology advanced in raw materials
and machinery, even the greenest converter can now work with acetate
with both confidence and success. The primary disadvantage of acetate
in today's market is its relative high cost versus newer raw material
technology and comparable performance
of other polyolefins. Although it is a brittle stock, acetate is
still used in a 1.5 to 2. Mil clear for cosmetics and health/beauty
products. Unlike other films, acetate possesses greater resistance
to the chemicals used in these products. For example, acetate is
resistant to acetone, one of the components in nail polish. If
polystyrene or polypropylene were used as the prime label and exposed
to acetone,
the label would be eaten away by the chemicals. SUGGESTED USES: Acetate has a relatively
low tear strength and moderate heat resistance. It is not recommended
for outdoor use.
POLYSTYRENES
Polystyrene, like acetate, is an older generation
of film facestock in the pressure-sensitive marketplace. Its initial
use was as an economical alternative at a 30 percent reduction in
cost and converted comparatively to acetate. At the time, there was
greater diversity for applications. In addition to a smooth print
surface, polystyrene could hold tight registrations with ease and
run well in high speed dispensing. However it is a stiff, brittle
film stock and can tear if nicked in converting. This is why sharp
and well-maintained tooling is needed. Polystyrene is produced either
as a cast or blown oriented product, with typical mil thicknesses
of 2 to 2.5 mil in semigloss white,
clear, or metallized versions, but can be increased up to 10 to 12
mils for more industrial-type applications. Another variation is
a flexible polystyrene which is a 3.5 mil rubber extruded (Modified)
film designed specifically for squeeze bottle
applications. Excellent as a cost alternative to vinyl for prime
labeling, it is often used in squeezable and flexible applications
for cosmetics, health/beauty care and pharmaceutical.
SUGGESTED USES: Applications include
meat and dairy, coupon base, kiddie stickers, and tamper evident
products.
POLYPROPYLENE
Polypropylene
hit the pressure-sensitive market in the last decade with the
introduction of a biaxially
oriented stock comprised of three layers-a center core layer and
two treated layers-for printability and adhesion. Since that time,
polypropylene has evolved from various suppliers to become one of
the most popular and versatile films. It is either
produced as a cast, oriented, cavitated, or filled material offered
in clear, white or metallized. Polypropylene is a more flexible
(but not squeezable) film that polystyrene or acetate and is cost
effective.
Following sharp increases in paper costs, polypropylene has become
cost competitive to many paper stocks including glosses and electronic
data processing (EDP). Typically, 1 to 3 mils are used for a variety
of applications in prime labeling, health/beauty, cosmetics, coupon
base and beverages.
As an added advantage, polypropylene meet most standards and regulations
for children's packaging, so is ideal for toys and stickers. The "no
label" look is one of the newest marketing trends
that has gained widespread popularity with retailers. When clear
polypropylene is laminated to polyester or 44# poly-coated kraft
liner, it gives the adhesive excellent characteristics for ideal
clarity. The "no label" look is used to entice the consumer
toward that fresh, chemical-free appearance and aesthetically gives
the consumer more purchasing confidence in a particular brand.
BRAND
NAMES: Kimdura
SUGGESTED USES: Applications include cosmetics,
beverage, and health/beauty products.
POLYESTER
Polyester has been an old-timer in the
industry, serving the high quality end of pressure-sensitive applications,
but continues
to be one of the most expensive stocks offered. Standard mils
range from 0.5 to 3 mils thick in clear, white or metallized. A variety
of colors are also available on a custom order basis. Polyester
is one of the only films that requires top coating or print treating
or ink reception. It is a durable film, having
high
tear
and heat resistance, and can be printed with most standard flexographic
inks.
BRAND NAMES: CopyCode Polyester
SUGGESTED USES: Used
in prime labeling, pharmaceutical packaging, outdoor applications,
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and Canadian
Standards Association (CSA) recognized nameplates, and decorative
applications
VInyl
Vinyl has been another long-standing film for a wide
variety of applications. Although usage continues to rise, the search
continues for a suitable alternative in performance and price. Two
to 6 mils are typical in a semi-rigid and flexible variation of white,
clear or metallized. The most popular combination is a 4 mil flexible
white, which is either non-topcoated or topcoated/ converter preference
has been topcoated for water-based, letterpress, and UV screen. Vinyl
has excellent diecutting, stripping, and dispensing characteristics
and weathers the outdoors extremely well.
BRAND NAMES: Tamperfas, CopyCode Vinyl
SUGGESTED USES: It can be used many different indoor/outdoor
applications, including prime labeling, packaging, housewares, cosmetics,
bumper stickers, batteries, tires and signage.
POLYOLEFIN
The word "Polyolefin" is
used in the pressure-sensitive industry to describe any combination
of polystyrene, polypropylene
or polyethylene cast extrusion to design new material stock.
This is the newest film stock to be introduced in recent years.
Polyolefin is manufactured in clear or white, with a thickness
of 3 to 4 mils. In many cases, this stock can replace applications
at
a 20-30% price reduction for prime labeling, health & beauty,
cosmetics or pharmaceutical. However, because of differences
in material extrusions, polyolefins may require special tooling
beyond
what is
used for standard film stocks and may incur additional manufacturing
costs.
BRAND NAMES: Tyvek, Mirage, Primax, FasClear, CopyCode
DLX, Transcode, Labellyte
POLYETHYLENE
Another material very similar to Polyolefin
is polyethylene, which is produced from 3 to 5 mils thick in
clear, matte clear
and white. A major disadvantage to polyethylene is the
manufacturing process that handles low, medium and high density formulations,
this
making it more difficult for the coater and converter to
source out a viable product. Most labels are manufactured from
medium-
and high-density
polyethylene. However, film suppliers have varying processes
that yield different grades of film which, in turn, limits
coaters in
stocking raw materials from more than one supplier. With
the physical characteristics of polyethylene still in the testing
stages for market positioning in pressure-sensitive
applications,
problems may arise, so care should be taken by the converter
in converting
and dispensing.
SUGGESTED USES: Polyethylene can be used
in prime labeling, pharmaceutical and packaging.
COMPUTER IMPRINTABLE FILMS
A new and quickly emerging
market is the demand for computer printable film stocks
for thermal
transfer,
direct thermal, laser and ink jet printers. This market
is expected to grow an average of 20% per year, at least
through
the next
few years. This market carries a more specific scope
of factors for labeling, including printing type, face material,
adhesive
and liner combination,
substrate application and UL and CSA recognition. Since
these specialty film stocks cannot be used interchangeably
in different
impact
printing machinery, each application must be reviewed
by your supplier for
the correct recommendation.
ADHESIVES
GENERAL PURPOSE
A general purpose rubber based permanent adhesive featuring high
initial tack and excellent to moderately high ultimate adhesion.
Designed for high speed roll label converting and automatic labeling.
May comply with FDA 175.105 for indirect food contact.
ACRYLIC
This
permanent acrylic adhesive is "tackified"-designed
for high speed converting with wide web EDP dies. It features good
initial
tack, high shear, and a minimum cold flow and the ability to adhere
to a wide variety of substrates. May comply with FDA 175.105 for
indirect food contact.
AGGRESSIVE (RUBBER)
A highly aggressive, rubber-based
general purpose permanent with excellent die-cutting and stripping
characteristics. Formulated for
outstanding adhesion to corrugated products. AGGRESSIVE (ACRYLIC)
A
general purpose adhesive with good adhesion to many substrates,
particularly corrugated. Displays excellent die-cutting and stripping
characteristics, especially on wide web applications.
HI TACK
A rubber-based removable adhesive with high initial tack, clean
removability and the highest bond strength. Good for stiff facestocks.
May comply with FDA 175.105 for indirect food contact.
MODERATE
This is a rubber-based, removable adhesive that offers
moderate initial tack and high holding power. More easily removed
than High
Tack, it removes cleanly with little or no residue. May comply with
FDA 175.105 for indirect food contact.
POST IT An acrylic based ultra-removable adhesive featuring a consistent
level of adhesion as well as long term removability and repositionability
across a wide range of substrates.
COLD TEMP
A cold temperature permanent adhesive featuring high initial tack
and excellent ultimate adhesion to polar, non-polar and problem substrates.
May be acrylic or rubber based, depending on manufacturer. It may
comply with FDA 175.105 for indirect food contact.
ALL TEMP
This permanent, all-temperature acrylic adhesive is specially formulated
for on-press convertibility and to function at cold and room temperatures.
Good die-cutting and stripping properties; adheres to a wide variety
of packaging materials, including corrugated products.
FREEZER
A high tack freezer grade adhesive which is functional at freezer,
cold and room temperatures on polar, non-polar and problem substrates.
Good die-cutting and stripping characteristics. May comply with FDA
175.105 for indirect food contact.
MILK JUG
A cold temperature, rubber-based permanent adhesive offering high
initial tack and excellent adhesion to most packaging substrates,
including HDPE milk jugs and polyethylene. May comply with FDA 175.105
for indirect food contact.
CLEAR FILM
A high strength acrylic with excellent flow characteristics. Excellent
UV, solvent and moisture resistance.
TAPEREEL
Tapereel is an adhesive that combines high initial tack with high
holding power and yet remains removable over the life of the label.
Good on curved surfaces. Complies with FDA 175.105 for indirect food
contact.
WATER SOLUBLE
Developed with good initial tack and adhesion properties, yet allows
consumers or recyclers to remove the label using warm (+100 F) water.
Also effective when labels have been misapplied to containers. Labels
using this adhesive can be soaked off to save the container and/or
its contents. Recyclable. Excellent die-cutting and stripping properties.
May comply with FDA 175.105 for indirect food contact.
PHARMACEUTICAL
Acrylic based permanent adhesive featuring high initial tack and
ultimate bond strength to a wide variety of surfaces including standard
pharmaceutical substrates. Features minimal cold flow and, combined
with the pharmaceutical release system, provides excellent converting.
TIRE LABEL
A highly aggressive, permanent, rubber-based adhesive specifically
designed for tires and other difficult surfaces. Not recommended
for die-cutting and stripping
U.L. APPROVED
Outstanding adhesion and holding power; with UL Litho for Type L
Listings. Resistant to many solvents.
LINERS
44#
PK
A poly-coated natural kraft (brown) paper stock for roll-to-roll
applications. Specially designed for high speed, automatic dispensing
applications. Not recommended for sheeting or fanfolding. Caliper
(Mils):
3.2
78#
A calendered bleached kraft paper liner. Used primarily for roll-to-sheet
applications, including laser. Caliper (Mils): 4.9
92#
A polyethylene coated bleached stock with a tissue backing. Offers
excellent
lay flat characteristics for roll-to-sheet applications, including
laser.
Die-cutting and stripping characteristics are good, but caution
is suggested
for complex die configurations. Not recommended for use with polyester
facestocks or for fanfolding. Caliper (Mils): 7.3
1.5 mil Polyester
A clear polyester film featuring maximum strength and toughness
for
high-speed die-cutting and dispensing. Used primarily in roll-to-roll
applications. Caliper (Mils): 1.5
40# SCK
A semi-bleached, super calendered kraft release liner. Excellent
for
stripping and die cutting. Not recommended for sheeted applications.
Caliper (Mils): 2.5
50# SCK
A semi-bleached, super calendered kraft release liner. Excellent
for
stripping and die cutting.
Used in roll-to-roll and fan folded applications where hole punching
and
perforating are required. Caliper (Mils): 3.2
40# Natural Kraft
An unbleached super calendered brown release liner, excellent for
stripping
and die cutting. For Roll-to-roll applications. Caliper (Mils):
2.5
50# Natural Kraft
A super calendered unbleached kraft. Very good for stripping and
die
cutting. Not recommended for sheeted applications. Caliper (Mils):
3.2
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