{"id":19234,"date":"2026-05-04T09:21:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-04T08:21:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grifoll.com\/how-to-choose-resistant-booklet-labels-for-food-packaging\/"},"modified":"2026-05-04T09:21:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T08:21:19","slug":"how-to-choose-resistant-booklet-labels-for-food-packaging","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grifoll.com\/en\/how-to-choose-resistant-booklet-labels-for-food-packaging\/","title":{"rendered":"How to choose resistant booklet labels for food packaging?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Food packaging presents specific challenges for labeling: temperature changes, contact with fats, humidity during storage and constant handling throughout distribution. Expandable labels for this sector must meet strict technical requirements in addition to satisfying food safety regulatory demands.<\/span><\/p>\n

Key factors that determine resistance<\/b><\/h2>\n

Choosing the right expandable label for food products requires evaluating the specific conditions to which it will be exposed throughout the product\u2019s useful life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Storage conditions:<\/b> The product may pass through different environments from manufacture to the end consumer. Cold rooms, non-climate-controlled warehouses, transport in extreme conditions and exposure on supermarket shelves are common scenarios that the label must withstand without detaching, deforming or losing legibility.<\/span><\/p>\n

Type of packaging:<\/b> Labeling a rigid plastic container is not the same as labeling a flexible flow-pack type, nor a cardboard container and a glass one. Each substrate requires a specific type of adhesive. Containers with textured surfaces or special finishes (matte, satin) require adhesives with greater anchoring power.<\/span><\/p>\n

Product content:<\/b> Fatty products (oils, creams, cured meats) can migrate towards the adhesive and reduce its effectiveness. Liquid products with external condensation require moisture-resistant adhesives. Foods that are kept cold and consumed at room temperature generate dimensional changes that the label must withstand.<\/span><\/p>\n

Useful life:<\/b> A product with a 3-month expiration date does not require the same as one with a 2-year useful life. The longer the preservation time, the more critical the choice of adhesive and label material.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recommended materials for food expandable labels<\/b><\/h2>\n

Paper substrates<\/b><\/h3>\n

High-quality coated papers are the most common option for booklet labels in food. They offer excellent print capacity, are economical and recyclable.<\/span><\/p>\n

Matte coated paper:<\/b> Ideal for products requiring a premium image and extensive text. The matte surface reduces reflections and facilitates reading. Adequate resistance for ambient temperature products without direct contact with fat or moisture.<\/span><\/p>\n

Coated paper with protection:<\/b> When the product will be exposed to moisture or frequent handling, the paper must have a protective layer (varnish or laminate). This prevents text from fading and the paper from deteriorating.<\/span><\/p>\n

Synthetic materials<\/b><\/h3>\n

For refrigerated, frozen or moisture-contact products, synthetic materials such as polypropylene (PP) or polyester (PET) offer significant advantages.<\/span><\/p>\n

Polypropylene (PP):<\/b> Resistant to water, oils and mild chemicals. Flexible, does not break easily and maintains legibility even in adverse conditions. It is the preferred option for refrigerated or frozen products.<\/span><\/p>\n

Polyester (PET):<\/b> Greater resistance than PP, especially at extreme temperatures and chemical products. Used in products with long useful life or very demanding conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

Types of adhesive according to application<\/b><\/h2>\n

The adhesive is the critical component that determines whether the label will fulfill its function throughout the product\u2019s life.<\/span><\/p>\n

Refrigeration adhesives<\/b><\/h3>\n

Refrigerated products (0\u20138\u00b0C) require specific adhesives that maintain their adhesion power in cold. Standard adhesives can lose effectiveness at low temperatures, causing labels to detach.<\/span><\/p>\n

A refrigeration adhesive must:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • Adhere correctly to cold surfaces<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Maintain adhesion throughout the product\u2019s useful life<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Resist condensation when the product leaves the cold<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Withstand temperature changes without losing properties<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Freezing adhesives<\/b><\/h3>\n

    Freezing (\u221218\u00b0C or below) is the most demanding environment. Adhesives for frozen products must withstand:<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Application on frozen surfaces or application before freezing<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Extremely low temperatures without becoming brittle<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Frost formation without detaching<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Transition from frozen to ambient without failures<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      Fat-resistant adhesives<\/b><\/h3>\n

      Meat products, cheeses, pastry products or any fatty food require special adhesives that do not degrade with contact with oils and fats.<\/span><\/p>\n

      These adhesives create a barrier that prevents fats from migrating towards the contact zone and weakening adhesion. They are essential for cured meats, aged cheeses, industrial baked goods and similar products.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Permanent vs.\u00a0removable adhesives<\/b><\/h3>\n

      In the food sector, permanent adhesives are the norm, as the label must remain firmly attached throughout the product\u2019s life. However, in some specific cases (reusable containers, returnable glass products) removable adhesives can be used that allow the label to be removed without leaving residue.<\/span><\/p>\n

      \"etiqueta<\/h2>\n

      Necessary regulations and certifications<\/b><\/h2>\n

      Labels for food products must comply with specific regulations that guarantee they do not contaminate the food or represent a risk to the consumer.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Indirect contact with food<\/b><\/h3>\n

      Although the label is not in direct contact with the food, it is in contact with the packaging. Materials (paper, adhesive, inks) must comply with European regulations for materials suitable for indirect food contact.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Regulation (EC) 1935\/2004:<\/b> General framework for materials in contact with food. Establishes that materials must not transfer components to food in quantities that could represent a health hazard or alter the organoleptic characteristics of the product.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Regulation (EU) 10\/2011:<\/b> Specific for plastic materials. Although it focuses on packaging, it also affects labels with plastic components (films, laminates, adhesives).<\/span><\/p>\n

      Printing inks<\/b><\/h3>\n

      Inks used in food labels must comply with specific regulations. Although migration from the label to the food is extremely unlikely, responsible manufacturers use inks that comply with:<\/span><\/p>\n

      Resolution ResAP(2005)2:<\/b> Printing inks for food packaging<\/span><\/p>\n

      Swiss Ordinance (SR 817.023.21):<\/b> International reference for inks in food packaging<\/span><\/p>\n

      Manufacturer certifications<\/b><\/h3>\n

      Working with a label manufacturer that has specific certifications for food is essential:<\/span><\/p>\n

      FSSC 22000:<\/b> Globally recognized standard for food safety in the supply chain. Guarantees that the manufacturing process meets strict requirements of hygiene, traceability and quality control.<\/span><\/p>\n

      ISO 9001:<\/b> Quality management system that ensures consistent processes and continuous improvement.<\/span><\/p>\n

      BRC Packaging:<\/b> Specific certification for companies that manufacture packaging materials. Highly valued by large distribution chains.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Technical design aspects for maximum resistance<\/b><\/h2>\n

      The design of the expandable label also influences its resistance and durability.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Material thickness:<\/b> Thicker materials (60\u201380 grams for paper, 50\u201360 microns for synthetics) offer greater mechanical resistance. However, too much thickness can make it difficult to correctly close the expandable label.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Page configuration:<\/b> The number of pages and type of folding affect resistance. Designs with many folds in reduced spaces can generate tensions that, over time, weaken the adhesive.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Ink protection:<\/b> An overprint varnish protects inks from abrasion, moisture and light degradation. In products with a lot of handling (fresh self-service products), this protection is essential.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Tear resistance:<\/b> The edges and corners of expandable labels are critical points. A design that avoids sharp corners and reinforces these areas reduces the risk of the label deteriorating prematurely.<\/span><\/p>\n

      The importance of working with specialists<\/b><\/h2>\n

      Grifoll Print Solutions brings more than 50 years of experience in expandable labels for the food sector, with in-depth knowledge of the technical and regulatory particularities of this market.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Advantages of working with Grifoll:<\/b><\/h3>\n

      Specialized technical advice:<\/b> Grifoll\u2019s technical team analyzes the specific characteristics of each product (type of food, packaging, storage conditions, useful life) to recommend the optimal combination of material, adhesive and finishes.<\/span><\/p>\n

      FSSC 22000 certification:<\/b> Grifoll\u2019s production plant has this specific certification for food safety, which guarantees processes that meet the highest sector standards. This not only ensures regulatory compliance, but also facilitates customer audits and simplifies supplier qualification.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Resistance testing:<\/b> Before launching a full production run, Grifoll carries out tests with real samples under the intended conditions of use. This includes cold adhesion tests, fat resistance, accelerated aging and simulation of transport and storage conditions.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Experience with large distribution chains:<\/b> Working regularly with supermarkets and leading brands in the food sector allows Grifoll to anticipate specific requirements of each distribution channel and adapt solutions to logistics and shelf presentation demands.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Complete traceability:<\/b> All materials used have declarations of conformity for food contact. Batch traceability allows the origin of each component to be identified, a fundamental requirement in case of incidents or audits.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Common mistakes when choosing food labels<\/b><\/h2>\n

      Underestimating real conditions of use:<\/b> Many companies choose labels based solely on price, without considering that adhesion failures can generate much higher costs (returns, brand image loss, claims).<\/span><\/p>\n

      Choosing standard adhesives for refrigerated products:<\/b> Generic adhesives lose effectiveness in cold. This is one of the most frequent causes of labels detaching in cold rooms or refrigerated shelves.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Not testing under real conditions:<\/b> What works in a laboratory sample may fail in real production. It is essential to test with the final packaging, under the intended storage conditions and for a representative period of time.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Ignoring the human factor:<\/b> Operators who apply labels on the production line must be able to work quickly and precisely. Labels that are difficult to separate from the liner or with adhesives that do not allow repositioning create problems on the line that reduce productivity.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Conclusion<\/b><\/h2>\n

      Choosing resistant expandable labels for food packaging requires a technical approach that considers multiple factors: product characteristics, storage and distribution conditions, regulatory requirements and production line needs.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Working with a specialized manufacturer with FSSC 22000 certification, demonstrable experience in the food sector and technical advisory capacity makes the difference between a label that fulfills its function throughout the product\u2019s useful life and one that generates costly problems.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Grifoll Print Solutions combines technical experience, specific certifications for food and a consultative approach that helps each client find the optimal solution for their products. It is not just about manufacturing labels, but about guaranteeing that they will work correctly under real conditions of use.<\/span><\/p>\n

      Do you have a food product that requires resistant expandable labels?<\/b><\/h3>\n

      Our technical team can advise you on the best combination of materials, adhesives and finishes according to the specific characteristics of your product and packaging. With more than 50 years of experience and FSSC 22000 certification, we guarantee solutions that meet both technical and regulatory demands.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

      Food packaging presents specific challenges for labeling: temperature changes, contact with fats, humidity during storage and constant handling throughout distribution. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":18830,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[53],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-19234","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grifoll.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19234","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grifoll.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grifoll.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grifoll.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grifoll.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=19234"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/grifoll.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/19234\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grifoll.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18830"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grifoll.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=19234"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grifoll.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=19234"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grifoll.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=19234"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}