Materials for self-adhesive labels
Polypropylene is the standard waterproof material for packaging labelling: unaffected by water, moisture or splashes. Flexible and lightweight, it adapts to curved surfaces such as bottles, tubs and containers. It is used when paper cannot cope and polyester is more than the application needs.
Temperature
-20 °C to +80 °C
Moisture resist.
High
Printing
Wax-resin / resin ribbon
Finishes
Matt / Gloss / Transparent
Permanent acrylic, removable, rubber (hot-melt) for fast adhesion on cardboard and porous surfaces. In the transparent version, a transparent adhesive for the “no-label look” effect.
Material variants
Need more resistance?
For applications with high chemical demands, temperatures above +80 °C or a lifespan of years, polyester is the suitable alternative.
See polyester labels →Selection criteria
Polypropylene handles humid environments, curved surfaces and volumes where cost is a factor. When thermal or chemical demands increase, polyester is the correct alternative.
When to choose it
When not to choose it
Economic criterion
PP has a lower cost per label than polyester in most logistics and packaging applications. The difference is significant at medium and high volumes, and holds as long as the application does not require chemical or thermal resistance above 80 °C.
Ask for a price comparison →Where it is used
Polypropylene is the usual choice when moisture is the critical factor, the package has curved geometry, or volume makes cost per label a relevant criterion.
Sector
In food, the label lives with moisture, condensation and cold from packaging to the shelf. Polypropylene withstands those conditions without lifting off or losing readability, and its white or transparent finish matches the sector's visual standards.
Sector
In logistics, polypropylene covers the cases where paper is not enough: humid environments, outdoor conditions or weathering during transit. Its resistance to water and abrasion makes it suitable for high volumes without pushing up the cost of labelling.
Sector
Transparent polypropylene is the usual material when the label needs to blend visually with the package or show the product. Its flexibility allows it to adapt to tight curves without the material wrinkling or the adhesive losing grip.
Sector
Manufacturers of detergents, disinfectants and hygiene products need labels that withstand contact with the contents of the package. Polypropylene withstands typical contact with soaps, detergents and common cleaning products without lifting off or losing readability.
Material variants
Polypropylene is available in four main variants. White matt covers most cases in logistics and traceability; gloss, transparent and direct thermal meet specific needs of presentation, aesthetics or the printing environment.
The standard finish for logistics, warehousing and product traceability. The matt surface avoids glare and supports reliable optical barcode scanning. Compatible with wax-resin and resin ribbon.
Temperature
-20 °C to +80 °C
Moisture resist.
High
Printing
Wax-resin / resin ribbon
Finish
Matt, no glare
Greater visual contrast than matt. A clean, glossy finish ideal for end-product labelling, consumer packaging or applications where the label's appearance is part of the product.
Temperature
-20 °C a +80 °C
Moisture resist.
High
Printing
Wax-resin / resin ribbon
Finish
Gloss / high definition
The label blends visually with the package or the product. With no visible white background, it shows the colour or contents through the material. The usual option when the package's aesthetics must not be interrupted.
Temperature
-20 °C a +80 °C
Moisture resist.
High
Printing
Wax-resin / resin ribbon
Finish
Transparent
The other key factor
The polypropylene face material can be combined with different adhesives depending on the surface, the environment and whether the label needs to be permanent or removable.
General use indoors and in moderate outdoor conditions. Good resistance to moisture and UV. The standard for most logistics and packaging applications.
Typical use
General logistics and packaging
Removes without leaving residue or damaging the package under normal conditions of use. For temporary labelling, product re-labelling or provisional identification on the production line.
Typical use
Re-labelling and temporary labelling
High initial tack. Adheres quickly to cardboard, porous surfaces and recycled materials. Widely used in high-turnover logistics.
Typical use
High-turnover logistics
Colourless adhesive combined with transparent PP to achieve the “no-label look” effect. Common on packaging where you want to show the contents or the product design.
Typical use
Presentation packaging
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions before requesting a sample or a quote.
Polypropylene is a good choice when the label needs to resist moisture but does not require the temperature range or chemical resistance of polyester. It is more flexible, more economical and works well in logistics, packaging, food and moderate outdoor use. If the requirement is higher — temperatures above 80 °C, aggressive solvents or a lifespan of years — polyester is the right choice.
Yes. Polypropylene is compatible with thermal transfer. For thermal transfer, wax-resin or resin ribbons are recommended depending on the demand level. Direct thermal versions of PP also exist, useful when you want to print without a ribbon in humid environments.
Yes, it is one of its strengths. PP is flexible and adapts well to bottles, drums, tubes and plastic containers. The key is the adhesive: on untreated polyethylene or polypropylene, a specific adhesive with high initial tack may be needed.
The most common are matt white, gloss white and transparent. Transparent with a transparent adhesive gives the “no-label look” effect, widely used on packaging where the contents or the package design should be visible.
Yes. Polypropylene is commonly used for labelling equipment and process areas within the food industry, where there is moisture and frequent cleaning. For direct food-contact applications, the adhesive and specific material need to be verified for the project.
We work with both small runs and larger production volumes. The minimum quantity depends on the format, the material and the printing system. Contact us with the dimensions and estimated volume.
Yes. In projects where the environment or the surface raises questions, it is standard practice to validate a sample first before starting production.
Yes, with the right adhesive. Polypropylene with a cold-chain stable adhesive maintains adhesion in cold and freezer rooms. For temperatures below -18 °C, tell us the exact range so we can confirm the correct construction.
Both resist moisture, but polyester withstands exposure to solvents, oils and chemicals better, and is more rigid. Polypropylene is more flexible, more economical and better suited to packaging, bottles and applications where cost per label matters. For chemically demanding industry, polyester is the safer choice.
Application guides
Cold chain and moisture
If the real problem is cold, condensation or cold stores, the decision also depends on the adhesive, the application temperature and the surface. The application guide solves it by environment.
See guide to labels for moisture and cold chain →Moderate outdoor exposure
PP with acrylic adhesive resists rain and temperature changes within its -20 °C to +80 °C range. For prolonged outdoor use, check the right adhesive for the environment.
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 PP construction available in the catalogue.
See technical data sheetsContact
Tell us the surface, the environment and the end use. We will guide you to the most suitable material and adhesive from the first contact.