Beverage Labelling

Beverage labelling covers wines, spirits, beers, FABs (flavoured alcoholic beverages) NABs (non-alcoholic beverages), bottled waters and soft drinks. Pressure sensitive label usage is growing rapidly in the beer, FAB, NAB and soft drinks segments. Beverage manufacturers mostly choose clear label constructions for clear-on-clear labelling applications typically involving transparent glass or polyester (PET) bottles. A crystal clear look is achieved with a special adhesive that retains its high clarity in humid bottling line conditions. A PET backing assures a smooth adhesive layer for maximum contact clarity with the substrate being labelled.

Depending on the beverage application, the adhesive and face material may be required to perform well during pasteurization and extended ice bucket immersion in addition to filling, transportation, chilling and eventual consumption. Specific label constructions have been developed to withstand the various environmental conditions to which they may be exposed.

Wines

In the wine industry, and although films have begun to be more widely adopted, the focus remains on coated and textured paper materials. A wet strength treatment helps the paper fibres withstand fluctuations in temperature and humidity to prevent the formation of wrinkles or bubbles during the labelling process or in storage. Treatment for alkali resistance is required where bottles are returned and the label washed off in the bottle washing process. Papers with this treatment, combined with a dedicated wash-off adhesive, remain intact during the wash-off process to leave the machinery unobstructed. The term WSA is used to denote label papers with these combined treatments.

Whatever the life cycle of the bottle, one way or returnable, an adhesive selected for wine applications has to provide excellent tack even at low temperatures and in humid conditions, on the bottling line and during bottle storage. It may also have to endure subsequent chilling and exposure to water and ice.

Labels for high-quality wines and spirits are often elaborate, typically printed using an offset process in up to ten or more colours on cast-coated materials or textured papers. Complementary techniques such as embossing and hot foiling are also used. UV flexography is used when printing coated papers, for example for standard quality wines produced in large volumes.