34 terms
Glossary
The vocabulary,
in one place.
Every term a buyer hits on a spec sheet or a supplier email — defined plainly, with the customer’s usual alias noted. No chemistry degree required.
- bleed
- Bleed is artwork extended about 3 mm beyond the cut line so that trimming never leaves a white edge.
- BOPP
- BOPP (biaxially-oriented polypropylene) is a waterproof, oil-resistant plastic film, the standard for food, beverage, and cosmetic labels. Customers may call it a plastic or waterproof label.
- CMYK
- CMYK is the four-color print mode, different from on-screen RGB. Label artwork must be built in CMYK to print accurately.
- corona treatment
- Corona treatment is a surface process that raises the surface energy of plastic film so that ink and adhesive bond properly.
- die line (cut line)
- A die line, or cut line, is a vector outline marking where the label is cut. It sits on its own layer and is not printed.
- die-cut
- Die-cut means the label is cut to a custom shape through both the face stock and the liner, producing a fully shaped label.
- DoC (declaration of compliance)
- A declaration of compliance (DoC) is the document provided for food-contact materials and CE certification to prove conformity.
- face stock
- Face stock is the top printable layer of a label; it sets the look, feel, and durability. Choosing the face stock (paper, BOPP, PET, vinyl) is the first material decision.
- flexo (flexographic printing)
- Flexo is plate-based printing with low unit cost at high volume and excellent spot-color matching, but a plate cost per color.
- GS1-128 and SSCC
- GS1-128 is a supply-chain barcode that encodes multiple fields; SSCC is an 18-digit unique ID for a pallet or carton.
- GSM
- GSM is grams per square meter, the weight of paper or film. Higher GSM is thicker and stiffer.
- INCI
- INCI is the international standard naming system for cosmetic ingredients, required on US cosmetic ingredient lists.
- kiss-cut
- Kiss-cut means only the face stock is cut, leaving the liner intact so labels stay on a full backing sheet and peel off easily; kiss-cut on rolls is a common requirement for automatic labeling equipment.
- liner (release liner)
- The liner, or release liner, is the silicone-coated backing you peel off before applying a label. It protects the adhesive and is discarded.
- matrix
- The matrix is the waste grid of face stock between labels, stripped off the web after die-cutting.
- micron
- A micron is one thousandth of a millimeter, used for film and adhesive thickness.
- mil
- A mil is one thousandth of an inch, a film-thickness unit. One mil is about 25.4 microns.
- no-label look
- The no-label look uses a clear label, usually clear BOPP or PET, that blends into the container so the product shows through.
- overlaminate
- An overlaminate is a clear film applied over the print for scuff, water, chemical, and UV protection.
- Pantone (spot color)
- A Pantone or spot color is a pre-mixed standard ink for exact color matching. Each spot color needs its own plate or pass.
- peel adhesion
- Peel adhesion is the force needed to pull a label off a surface. It distinguishes a permanent bond from a removable one.
- permanent adhesive
- A permanent adhesive bonds for good; removing the label tears the face stock or leaves residue. Used for most product labels.
- PET (polyester)
- PET, or polyester, is the toughest common label film, resistant to UV, heat, and chemicals. Customers may call it a tear-proof label.
- PSA (pressure-sensitive adhesive)
- A pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) bonds under light pressure with no heat or solvent. It is the standard adhesive for self-adhesive labels.
- removable adhesive
- A removable adhesive lifts cleanly with no residue. Used for temporary labels, promotions, and reusable containers.
- SDS (safety data sheet)
- An SDS is the 16-section hazard document that must accompany chemicals under GHS and OSHA rules.
- shear
- Shear is an adhesive resistance to sliding under load. It reflects how well a label stays in place over time, important for heavy parts.
- slitting
- Slitting is cutting a wide printed web lengthwise into narrow rolls sized for the applicator or customer.
- SVHC
- An SVHC is a substance of very high concern under EU REACH; its presence above 0.1 percent must be disclosed to buyers.
- tack
- Tack is the instant grab of an adhesive on first contact. High tack matters for high-speed applicators and for sticking to difficult surfaces.
- UDI, HRI, AIDC
- UDI is a medical-device unique identifier shown two ways: human-readable text (HRI) and a machine-readable code (AIDC), such as a Data Matrix.
- VDP (variable data printing)
- Variable data printing (VDP) prints unique content such as serial numbers, barcodes, or names on each label within one run.
- vinyl (PVC)
- Vinyl (PVC) is a flexible film that conforms to curves and lasts outdoors. Customers often call it a waterproof sticker.
- wind direction
- Wind direction is how labels face as a roll unwinds, numbered 1 to 8. It must match the applicator or automatic application fails.
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