Even the best label is useless on the wrong material or if it peels after three weeks. With the right film and a few simple steps, warning and dangerous goods labels hold reliably — on cartons as well as on steel drums or tank wagons.
Choose the right material
| Einsatz | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Shipping cartons, one-way transport | Paper label stock or standard PE/PP film, also available on rolls for labelling lines |
| Reusable packaging, drums, IBCs | Polymeric PVC film with permanent adhesive, screen-printed |
| Vehicles, containers, outdoor use | Weather-resistant film in 250 × 250 mm or 300 × 300 mm |
| Tank wagons and tanks | Special tank-wagon film with high chemical resistance |
| Chilled and frozen environments | Labels with freezer / frost-grade adhesive |
Prepare the surface properly
- Clean: Remove dust, oil and grease with isopropanol or a degreasing cleaner. Do not use silicone-based products.
- Dry: The surface must be completely dry — moisture is the most common cause of peel-off.
- Mind the temperature: Ideal substrate and ambient temperatures are about +10 °C to +25 °C. In the cold, adhesive reaches final bond strength much more slowly.
- Remove old marking: Invalid hazard labels must be removed or completely covered before transport.
Apply labels without bubbles
Peel the liner at one corner, align the label and squeegee from the centre outwards with a plastic applicator. Air escapes and the adhesive makes full-area contact. On curved surfaces such as drums, work in small steps. Full bond strength typically develops within 24 to 72 hours — avoid high-pressure cleaning during that time if possible.
Placement as required by regulation
- Hazard labels on a side face, not on the bottom of the package.
- For multiple hazards: place labels side by side, not overlapping.
- UN number immediately adjacent to the hazard labels.
- Placards on containers and vehicles on both long sides as well as front and rear, as required.
Storage and shelf life
Store unused labels cool, dry and protected from light at about 15–25 °C and 50 % relative humidity — the adhesive then usually stays fully processable for at least one to two years. Keep rolls flat or hanging so the edges are not crushed.
Checks in day-to-day operations
Inspect markings on reusable packaging and vehicles regularly. A faded, torn or partly detached label counts as inadequate marking and should be replaced immediately. With screen-print quality and volume pricing, it pays to keep a small stock of the most important motifs on site.