Material: industrial polyester
Polyester labels are the solution when the identification has to last: they resist friction, solvents and heat without losing the print or lifting off. It is the most durable material in the catalogue for general-purpose industrial labelling, ideal for machinery, electrical equipment, technical parts and any product that lives in a demanding environment.
Temperature
-40 °C to +150 °C
Chemical resist.
High
Printing
Resin ribbon
Finishes
Matt / Gloss / Silver
Permanent acrylic (general use and outdoor), high-performance acrylic (difficult surfaces), removable (temporary labelling), high temperature. Also available with no adhesive for hang tags.
Material variants
Is the application less demanding?
If high chemical resistance or temperatures above +80 °C are not required, polypropylene is a more economical alternative.
See polypropylene labels →Selection criteria
Polyester is the right material when there is contact with chemical agents, extreme temperatures or real long-term durability is required. If the application does not reach that level of demand, there are more efficient options.
When to choose it
When not to choose it
Material alternatives
Where it is used
Polyester appears in the sectors where the demands of the environment exceed what paper or polypropylene can withstand.
Sector
Automotive demands labels that withstand the whole process: oily surfaces, extreme temperature ranges and cleaning solvents. Polyester is the reference material for component traceability that must stay readable long-term in demanding environments.
Sector
In chemicals and pharmaceuticals, an unreadable or detached label is a compliance incident. In chemicals, staying in place under immersion in solvents or acids is a requirement. In pharma, resistance to alcohols and disinfectants and batch traceability are the usual demands. Polyester with high-performance acrylic adhesive covers both environments.
Sector
Silver polyester is the reference finish in electronics: it identifies components, printed circuit boards and equipment with resistant labelling that keeps the code readable even after cleaning with solvents and soldering fluids.
Sector
For signage and identification plates that must withstand outdoor exposure for years: UV, rain, thermal variations and frequent physical contact. Polyester with permanent acrylic adhesive is the standard solution for this type of project.
Material variants
Polyester is manufactured in four main finishes. White matt is the base for most industrial labelling; gloss, silver and transparent meet specific requirements of presentation, aesthetics or integration with the surface.
The reference finish in industrial labelling. The matt surface removes glare and makes optical barcode reading easier in environments with variable lighting. Valid for the vast majority of thermal transfer applications.
Temperature
-40 °C to +150 °C
Chemical resist.
High
Printing
Resin ribbon
Finish
Matt, no glare
Greater visual vividness than matt. The usual choice when the presentation of the labelling also matters, such as in laboratory settings or clean rooms. Not the first choice for industrial scanning with laser readers.
Temperature
-40 °C to +150 °C
Chemical resist.
High
Printing
Resin ribbon
Finish
Gloss / high definition
The reference finish in electronics and asset identification. The metallised surface gives superior abrasion resistance and a recognisable industrial look. Widely used on PCBs, electrical panels and equipment plates.
Temperature
-40 °C to +150 °C
Chemical resist.
Very high
Printing
Resin ribbon
Finish
Metallised silver
Adapts to the colour and texture of the application surface. With no visible white background, the label blends into the substrate. The choice when the labelling must not visually interfere with the product or component.
Temperature
-40 °C to +150 °C
Chemical resist.
High
Printing
Resin ribbon
Finish
Transparent
The other key factor
The polyester face material can be combined with different adhesives depending on the surface, the service temperature and whether the environment has aggressive chemicals.
The standard for most applications. Good resistance to conventional service temperature, UV, moisture and common cleaning products. Valid for indoor and moderate outdoor use.
Typical use
Indoor and moderate outdoor
For difficult surfaces: low surface energy (PE, untreated PP), non-stick coatings, rough or contaminated surfaces. Higher initial tack.
Typical use
Difficult or contaminated surfaces
Comes off without leaving residue under normal conditions of use. For temporary labelling, provisional identification in production or quality control where the label must not be permanent.
Typical use
Temporary or provisional labelling
Keeps stable adhesion up to +200 °C. For parts that go through curing ovens, drying, painting or heat treatment where the standard adhesive would fail. For processes above 150 °C, it must be combined with a high-temperature face material.
Adhesive range
Up to +200 °C at process peaks
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most frequent questions before requesting a sample or a quote.
Polyester does not distort with moisture, does not tear through abrasion and keeps its readability after exposure to solvents, oils and chemicals. Paper loses integrity on contact with any liquid, and polypropylene has temperature and chemical-resistance limits that polyester comfortably exceeds.
Polyester requires a high-quality resin or wax-resin ribbon. Standard wax ribbon is not compatible: the print would wear away on contact with chemicals or abrasion. For the most demanding applications, resin ribbon is recommended.
Polyester withstands up to around 150 °C in continuous exposure, which makes it suitable for moderate-heat environments, low-temperature curing ovens and conventional industrial processes. For processes above that threshold — heat treatment, galvanising, metals or steelworks — the right solution is high-temperature labels from the ARGIPRINT° range.
Yes. With permanent or high-performance acrylic adhesive, polyester adheres correctly to metal, painted surfaces, polycarbonate, ABS and most technical plastics. For low-surface-energy substrates such as untreated PE or PP, the right adhesive needs to be selected.
It is the most common application. Polyester labels with a barcode or QR code for fixed assets last for years in industrial environments without losing readability. They are usually combined with permanent acrylic adhesive.
Yes. In projects where the environment or the surface raises questions, it is standard practice to validate a sample first before starting production.
Yes. Polyester printed with resin ribbon withstands cleaning with isopropyl alcohol, diluted acetone and most common industrial solvents. For prolonged immersion in strong acids or bases, check the right adhesive for the surface.
If you choose a material with less resistance than the application needs, the label can lose its print, come off or become unreadable before it has done its job. That is why we offer samples before production: it is the simplest way to confirm the material suits your real process.
Yes, it is one of its most common uses. Polyester with permanent adhesive and resin ribbon keeps its readability outdoors for several years, even with exposure to UV, rain and temperature changes.
Application guides by environment
Polyester covers most of these environments. For those that exceed its limits, the guides also point to the right alternative. If your question is “what label do I need for this environment?”, the guides orient you by problem, not by catalogue.
Chemical resistance
Isopropyl alcohol, oils, acids and solvents. PET with resin ribbon is the standard combination for environments with chemical products.
See labels →Outdoor and weathering
UV, rain, temperature changes. Polyester withstands -40 °C to +150 °C with adhesives formulated for outdoor use.
See labels →High temperature
For processes above 150 °C: ovens, galvanising, heat treatment. The ARGIPRINT° range with no adhesive reaches up to 500 °C.
See labels →Full catalogue
Polyester, polypropylene, direct thermal, coated paper, security and special solutions. Properties, adhesives and comparison.
See materialsApplications by sector
Automotive, chemicals, food, logistics, electronics and more. Conditions, recommended materials and technical criteria by sector.
Explore sectorsTechnical documentation
Detailed specifications, temperature ranges and approved adhesives for each PET construction available in the catalogue.
See technical data sheetsContact
Tell us the finish, the adhesive and the service conditions. We will provide the technical data sheet and guide you to the most suitable construction from the first contact.