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WATERPROOF vs WEATHERPROOF vs WATER-RESISTANT Labels - INKJET or LASER Printer
I have spent the last few days researching waterproof labels, ink smearing, etc. I have found out lots of information.
There is a difference with using an inkjet printer vs a laser printer. There are special labels made for each one. You need to make sure you purchase the correct labels.
Additionally there are WATERPROOF labels (which I purchase from a special vendor – they are not cheap and not easy to find - Plus I use a laser printer). Then there are WEATHERPROOF labels and WATER-RESISTANT (interchangeable). Be careful when they say WATERPROOF.
Some companies sell what they call "waterproof labels" for you to use in your inkjet or laser printer. Vinyl is often used for inkjet printing and polyester is used for laser printing.
I agree that polyester laser labels are waterproof once printed, but based on feedback and discussions most of us do not have access to a laser printer.
When discussing waterproof vinyl INKJET labels - the term waterproof might be misleading.
Companies refer to inkjet vinyl labels as "water-resistant". This by far is the most honest description of such a label when printed on an inkjet printer.
Regardless of how it's described, it's typically the same material and therefore the key to success is simply knowing how to work with the waterproof / water-resistant label material.
HOW THEY WORK: Water-resistant (also referred to as waterproof) vinyl label sheets manufactured for an inkjet printer are top-coated with a substance that "locks in the ink". Therefore, it is important to achieve a balanced ratio between ink used and top-coating available for locking. If too much ink is used and therefore, not enough top-coating is available to lock it down, you will see some bleeding when in contact with water. There are 3 things that can be done to solve this issue, leaving you with a truly WATER-PROOF label:
Adjust your Printer Settings
• most printers have advanced printer settings you can adjust for the different media types you might put through the printer. When you hit print, find the "paper type" or "media type" box and select premium paper (or experiment with the many media settings for best results)
• You can also turn down your ink volume, too much ink being used can cause bleeding to occur. When you hit 'print', select the advanced features (you may have to look under different tabs to find this, it's different on every printer) -under the 'advanced settings, you should be able to turn down your ink volume resulting is a better-quality waterproof label.
Rinsing
• If you are printing using heavy graphics, rinsing of your waterproof label sheet might be required. Print as usual and let the ink set for several minutes. Then, simply rinse sheet under cold water to wash away any "unlocked" ink that is sitting above the top-coating - this will leave you with a perfectly bleed-free and waterproof label sheet.
Sealing
• You can also add your own top-coating, giving it a bit of extra protection. It is recommend to use Krylon's Preserve It (matte finish) spray on top-coating (available at your local craft store). It will leave a chemical smell, however, if you leave your waterproof labels sit in open air for 48 hours, the chemical smell will dissipate and it will not interfere with your scented bath and body products.
I hope this helps
Sherri
Designer Label Gal
There is a difference with using an inkjet printer vs a laser printer. There are special labels made for each one. You need to make sure you purchase the correct labels.
Additionally there are WATERPROOF labels (which I purchase from a special vendor – they are not cheap and not easy to find - Plus I use a laser printer). Then there are WEATHERPROOF labels and WATER-RESISTANT (interchangeable). Be careful when they say WATERPROOF.
Some companies sell what they call "waterproof labels" for you to use in your inkjet or laser printer. Vinyl is often used for inkjet printing and polyester is used for laser printing.
I agree that polyester laser labels are waterproof once printed, but based on feedback and discussions most of us do not have access to a laser printer.
When discussing waterproof vinyl INKJET labels - the term waterproof might be misleading.
Companies refer to inkjet vinyl labels as "water-resistant". This by far is the most honest description of such a label when printed on an inkjet printer.
Regardless of how it's described, it's typically the same material and therefore the key to success is simply knowing how to work with the waterproof / water-resistant label material.
HOW THEY WORK: Water-resistant (also referred to as waterproof) vinyl label sheets manufactured for an inkjet printer are top-coated with a substance that "locks in the ink". Therefore, it is important to achieve a balanced ratio between ink used and top-coating available for locking. If too much ink is used and therefore, not enough top-coating is available to lock it down, you will see some bleeding when in contact with water. There are 3 things that can be done to solve this issue, leaving you with a truly WATER-PROOF label:
Adjust your Printer Settings
• most printers have advanced printer settings you can adjust for the different media types you might put through the printer. When you hit print, find the "paper type" or "media type" box and select premium paper (or experiment with the many media settings for best results)
• You can also turn down your ink volume, too much ink being used can cause bleeding to occur. When you hit 'print', select the advanced features (you may have to look under different tabs to find this, it's different on every printer) -under the 'advanced settings, you should be able to turn down your ink volume resulting is a better-quality waterproof label.
Rinsing
• If you are printing using heavy graphics, rinsing of your waterproof label sheet might be required. Print as usual and let the ink set for several minutes. Then, simply rinse sheet under cold water to wash away any "unlocked" ink that is sitting above the top-coating - this will leave you with a perfectly bleed-free and waterproof label sheet.
Sealing
• You can also add your own top-coating, giving it a bit of extra protection. It is recommend to use Krylon's Preserve It (matte finish) spray on top-coating (available at your local craft store). It will leave a chemical smell, however, if you leave your waterproof labels sit in open air for 48 hours, the chemical smell will dissipate and it will not interfere with your scented bath and body products.
I hope this helps
Sherri
Designer Label Gal
Tags: INKJET, LASER, Labels, WATER-RESISTANT, WATERPROOF, WEATHERPROOF
Views: 702
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Pamela Lemme on -
Sherri- thanks so much for your time and your research! this is going to be really helpful, useful info when I get to making labels.
Pam Lemme
Three Leaf Aromatherapy -
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Permalink Reply by IBN Member Fabiola Tercero on -
where can do you get the "waterproof" sheets for inkjets?
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Permalink Reply by OnlineLabels.com - Matt Hamilton on -
Hi Fabiola,
If you're looking for preprinted "waterproof" or "weatherproof" labels visit designerlabelgal.com. If you need blank "waterproof" or "weatherproof" label sheet for inkjet material, then check out our Weatherproof Vinyl Inkjet Labels page.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Matt Hamilton
(888)575-2235 ext. 707
OnlineLabels.com -
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Permalink Reply by Eleanor Segal on -
Elements Bath & Body has a nice selection of "waterproof" inkjet labels.
Onlinelabel.com is another source.
I was happy with the inkjet for a number of years. These labels work well for most of my products except Lip Balms. The surface of these labeled is subject to abrasion. I spent HOURS trying to get things right, lining up the labels was a challange.
The nice thing, I found, was I could just print a few at a time. I could rerun the sheet thru the printer many times.
Also you can print circle labels on a full sheet and use a circle punch. (You don't have to worry about the labels not lining up. Use a very fine tweezer to peel the back off).
Recently I purchase a HP color Laser. It definitely lines up better and the labels abrade less, but you can not use a punch and I have been warned not to rerun the sheet thru the printer.
I could go on & on. -
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Permalink Reply by IBN Member Sherri Willson on -
I mentioned this before - I should work for online labels - depending on the quantity of sheets you need - you cant beat ONLINE labels prices. I just reviewed ELEMENTS BATH AND BODY and unless they have something special added to their products - they are expensive !!!!!!
If you feel they are worth recommending - have them send me some samples - I would be more than willing to test them out. Right now - for laser waterproof/weatherproof labels - ONLINE ROCKS for service, quality and affordability
I sell printing services - labels - so I have done some shopping around.
I am working with Planet Label now to see how their labels hold up....... -
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Permalink Reply by Eleanor Segal on
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I agree Online labels is a wonderful company. I recently switched, as you said they provide excellence service, variety, quality and pricing. They really know labels. For labels this is the company that I will now order from.
I ordered from Element Bath and Body before I found-out about Online. -
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Permalink Reply by Sylvia Johnson on -
Thank you also Eleanor because of your additional commenting on ONLINELABELS.COM I went directly to their site. And wow! Thanks again.
Sylvia Johnson -
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Permalink Reply by Sylvia Johnson on
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Once again Sherri your advice is priceless. I just checked out ONLINE LABELS.COM I like their prices and their selections!
Sylvia Johnson -
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Permalink Reply by OnlineLabels.com - Matt Hamilton on
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Permalink Reply by IBN Member Sherri Willson on
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Matt - I will always be a customer - and will always use your company as a resource - Love your selection, prices and customer service :)
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Permalink Reply by Pete Freeberg on -
Those are both great options!
I operate out of Minnesota, so perhaps I'm biased because they're a local company, but I generally use Lofton Labels when I need custom digital labels. They offer a really wide variety of options, including water-proof/weatherproof, and they're capable handling any size of order at a reasonable price. It seems like they've been doing well because they're listed on the front page when I look for digital labels on google.
Check them out and let me know how they compare to what you've been using:
www.loftonlabel.com
I'd be willing to go out of state if someone thinks they can do better ;) -
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Permalink Reply by Liona shareing on -
Aloha Eleanor, what a great idea with the circle punch, is this item hard to find? I have been stressing over new lables I have to create for my tiny bottles since I have to have the ingredients in latin and common english and there simply isn't room for it, unless I used the whole lable for it. Plus my labels needed to be cheap since money is tight.
I decided to use glossy presentation paper to print the label sleeve w/ my company name, logo, what it is, volume on the front,then on the back have the full ingredient list (since this paper is thick enough it won't show thru, and make clear circle stickers for the product. and stick the 2 ends together elegantly. This way the law is met, the client can keep or discard the label (I will have the common name ingredient on the permenent lable.
I saw online had .5" circle sheets but didn't want to mess up sheets by having them line up wrong. To be able to punch them out will make this problem go away. thanks so much! or mahalo nui loa! as we say here in Hawaii -
Bramble Berry
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