how heat and humidity can ruin your labels and how to stop it
How Heat and Humidity Can Ruin Your Labels — And How to Stop It
Keep your labels in perfect condition with simple storage tips and practical troubleshooting advice
Heat and humidity can seriously affect the performance and appearance of your labels—impacting everything from adhesive strength to print quality. Whether you’re labelling products for retail, food packaging, or logistics, poor storage conditions can lead to peeling, fading, curling, or labels falling off altogether.
That’s why we’ve created this UK-focused guide to help you understand how temperature and moisture affect labels—and what you can do to keep them looking professional all year round.
Did you know?
The ideal temperature for storing and applying most labels is between 16°C and 25°C.
4. Surprising Ways Heat Can Damage Your Labels (And How to Prevent It)
1. Adhesive Softening
High temperatures can cause label adhesives to soften, weakening their grip on packaging. This often results in edges lifting, labels slipping, or complete detachment.
Quick Test:
Apply a label to a surface similar to your packaging. If it remains firmly attached after 24 hours, your adhesive is performing as expected.
2. Adhesive Ooze
Excessive heat can cause adhesive to seep out from the edges of labels. This sticky residue can build up on packaging lines, printer rollers, or applicators—leading to jams or misaligned labels.
What to Watch For: Run your finger gently around the label edge. If it feels sticky or uneven, adhesive ooze may be the issue.
3. Lifting and Curling
Heat can cause labels to lift from their backing sheets or curl before application. Once the adhesive dries out or becomes compromised, reapplying the label is rarely successful.
Spot Check:Look for visible curling or run your hand lightly across label sheets or rolls to detect raised edges.
4. Ink Fading
Heat doesn’t just affect adhesives—it can also cause printed ink to fade, particularly on labels without a protective laminate or varnish.
Look For: Areas where colours appear washed out, uneven, or noticeably less vibrant than the rest of the label.
Did you know?
In the UK, humidity levels can fluctuate significantly—especially in warehouses and storerooms. The ideal humidity level for label storage is around 50%.
How Humidity Affects Labels
Ink Distortion
High moisture levels in the air can blur or distort printed details, especially on uncoated labels.
Tip:
Inspect labels under good lighting. Blurry text, feathered edges, or uneven colour density often indicate moisture exposure.
Curling Before Use
Even before printing or application, labels stored in humid conditions can lift from the liner or curl at the edges.
What to Do:
Always inspect labels before use. If sheets or rolls feel uneven or warped, they may have absorbed excess moisture.
Adhesive Breakdown
Prolonged exposure to humidity can weaken adhesive bonds, leading to label failure once applied.
Simple Test:
Apply a label to your packaging and leave it for 12 hours. If it doesn’t hold securely, consider replacing the label stock or improving storage conditions.
Best Practices for Storing Labels in the UK
Proper storage is essential for preventing label issues caused by the British climate. Follow these best practices to keep your labels in excellent condition:
Let Labels Acclimatise Allow labels 24–48 hours to adjust to the environment where they’ll be printed or applied. Sudden changes in temperature or humidity can cause curling or adhesion problems.
Control the Climate Store labels in a space with stable temperature and humidity. If climate control isn’t available, choose the most consistent area of the building—away from doors, windows, or external walls.
Store Low and Safely Heat rises, so avoid storing labels on high shelves where temperatures are warmer. Also, avoid stacking heavy items on top of label stock to prevent creasing or damage.
Keep Labels Out of Direct Sunlight UV exposure can fade inks and degrade adhesives over time. Store labels in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how heat and humidity affect your labels is key to maintaining their quality and performance. By spotting early warning signs and following these practical storage tips, you can avoid costly reprints, mislabelling, and customer complaints.
Take care of your labels—and they’ll take care of your brand.
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If you would like to find out more about our cost-effective, short-run labelling and packaging options, for personalisation and promotion. Please contact our customer care team, who will be happy to discuss your requirements and provide advice on the options available.
