Industrial sector
Labels for the automotive industry
We supply resistant self-adhesive labels for automotive: they withstand oil, grease, cleaning solvents, brake fluid and thermal processes up to +200 °C while staying legible, with VDA 4902 and AIAG formats for Tier-1 suppliers and UL-certified references. Identification for components, work-in-progress parts and shipping across the automotive supply chain. We have supplied the automotive industry across Spain and Europe since 1994.
Temperature
−40 °C to +200 °C
Standard
VDA 4902 · AIAG
Resistance
Oils · Solvents
Reading
1D and 2D codes
Common materials in automotive
Need technical guidance?
Tell us the surface, the environment of use and whether specific customer regulations (CSR) apply. We will guide you in choosing the material from the first contact.
Ask about materials for automotive →Environment and technical requirements
In automotive, labels face conditions that don't occur in office settings or standard warehouses. Choosing the wrong material or adhesive has direct consequences for traceability and for meeting customer requirements.
Common conditions of use
Technical requirements and regulations
Where our labels are used
From identifying the component at the point of manufacture to reading the code at the end of the supply chain, the label is the thread that runs through traceability in automotive.
Specific applications
Permanent identification of parts from the start of production. The label must stay intact during transport, storage and the assembly process, with the code readable by scanner at every stage.
Polyester · Permanent acrylic adhesive
Service temperatures in the engine area regularly exceed +150 °C. For these applications we use labels from the ARGIPRINT° range, adhesive-free, with adapted mechanical fixing systems.
High temperature (ARGIPRINT°) · Adhesive-free
Major car manufacturers require standardised labelling formats from their suppliers. We supply labels in VDA 4902 format for the European market and in AIAG format for supply chains with a presence in the American market.
Polyester · Custom VDA / AIAG format
Void labels that reveal any attempt at removal or substitution on safety components. Used in critical assemblies where the part's integrity must be documented.
Void tamper-evident · Evidence of opening
Recommended materials
In automotive there's no single material valid for the whole vehicle. The choice depends on the service temperature, the aggressiveness of the chemical environment, and whether the part requires an integrity guarantee.
Main material
The standard material for component traceability, shipping and part marking. Resists oils, solvents, temperature up to +150 °C and wash cycles without losing adhesion or code legibility.
Identification plate · Adhesive-free
For areas where polyester doesn't meet the demands: continuous service temperatures above +150 °C, oven paint treatments, galvanising or casting. The ARGIPRINT° range carries no adhesive; fixing is mechanical.
Critical parts
Labels that reveal any attempt at removal: when peeled off they leave a visible “VOID” text pattern on the substrate or on the label itself. Used in critical assemblies where the component's integrity is made evident.
Sector needs and processes
In automotive, the label lives alongside fluids, extreme heat and long life cycles. The choice depends on the area of the vehicle, the manufacturing process and the customer's regulations. These are the most common needs.
Application
Solutions for components exposed to engine oils, hydraulic fluids, fuel, solvents and cleaning agents. Chemical resistance must be maintained throughout the component's service life.
Application
Applications in engine, exhaust, brake and transmission areas where thermal cycles demand a material that doesn't degrade or release adhesive. The peak temperature and exposure time determine the solution.
Application
Identification of components and subassemblies during manufacturing, logistics and warranty. Includes labels in VDA 4902, GS1-128 and DataMatrix format for exchange with OEMs and Tier 1.
Regulations and standard formats
The automotive sector is governed by labelling standards that determine the format, content and printing method. Failing to meet customer requirements can mean whole shipments being returned.
A shipping label format developed by the VDA association for European automotive supply chains. Mandatory for most Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers to German, French and Italian manufacturers.
The Automotive Industry Action Group standard, mandatory for suppliers to North American automotive manufacturers (GM, Ford, Stellantis) and for global supply chains with a presence in the US market.
The label must keep the code legible after going through the customer's manufacturing processes: washing, phosphating, painting, curing, assembly or prolonged storage. Prior verification with a sample is mandatory on new projects.
The most common surfaces in automotive — galvanised metal, untreated PP plastic, rubber, oily surfaces — require specific adhesives with high initial tack and anchoring ability without prior treatment.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most frequently asked questions before requesting a sample or quote for an automotive project.
For engine areas with continuous temperatures above +150 °C, the solution is the ARGIPRINT° range. For all other applications — component traceability, shipping and marking parts in less exposed areas — polyester with a high-performance adhesive is the standard material.
Yes, with the right material and adhesive. Polyester with a permanent acrylic or high-performance adhesive keeps its adhesion and code legibility after washing cycles with aliphatic solvents, isopropanol and pressure water. To validate resistance in the customer's specific process, it's standard practice to run a sample trial before production.
Yes. We supply shipping labels in VDA 4902 format for European automotive supply chains, as well as in AIAG format for suppliers with relationships with North American manufacturers. Tell us the specific format, the size and whether the end customer has a template, and we will guide you correctly.
Oily surfaces require a high-performance adhesive with high initial tack, able to penetrate the oil film and create a stable anchor. Galvanised surfaces are usually compatible with standard permanent acrylic adhesive, although contamination or special coatings can also call for high-performance adhesives. In all cases involving non-standard surfaces, we validate with a sample before production.
Yes. For outdoor body plastics we use polyester labels with a permanent acrylic adhesive resistant to UV, rain and temperature changes. For low-surface-energy substrates such as untreated PP or PE, a high-performance adhesive is recommended. In some cases prior surface treatment with a primer or flame treatment may be needed.
Yes. In automotive, where conditions of use are especially demanding and surfaces highly varied, it's standard and recommended practice to validate the material and adhesive with a sample before launching production. Tell us the surface, the environment and whether specific customer regulations (CSR) apply, and we will prepare a sample suited to your application.
Permanent acrylic adhesive on painted or galvanised surfaces reaches its maximum strength between 24 and 72 hours at room temperature. During that period peel resistance builds up progressively. On galvanised zinc we recommend cleaning the area before applying and confirming with a prior sample.
Recommended material
The standard material in automotive for traceability, shipping and part marking. Chemical, temperature and abrasion resistance.
See polyesterEngine areas
The ARGIPRINT° range for temperatures up to +500 °C. Adhesive-free, mechanical fixing. For parts that go through furnaces or areas of extreme heat.
See high temperatureRelated application
For VDA 4902, AIAG and JIT labelling. GS1, SSCC and Code 128 formats compatible with Zebra, Honeywell, SATO, TSC and other industrial printers.
See traceabilityContact
Tell us the surface, the area of the vehicle, the process the label will go through and whether the end customer has specific regulations. We will guide you in choosing the right material from the first contact.