Guide
How to specify an identification label that lasts
Five practical questions before choosing a material or adhesive.
Engineering notesRequest the guide →RESOURCES
Useful thinking for better specifications.
Engineering notes and practical guides for teams responsible for reliable identification, traceability and precision components. General guidance only; always confirm against your own specification.
GUIDES
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ChecklistSpecifying a durable label
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- Name the substrate and any coating or paint; low-surface-energy plastics need specific adhesives.
- State the real service temperature range, not just the application temperature.
- List every fluid, cleaner or solvent the label will meet.
- Note UV, outdoor and abrasion exposure, and how long the label must stay readable.
- Decide permanent or removable adhesive, and the thickness and tolerance the part can accept.
- Give the barcode, serial or variable data requirement and the print format and roll or sheet format you need.
Technical noteMaking barcodes and 2D codes readable
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- Keep strong contrast between code and background, and avoid glare from glossy laminates under scanners.
- Respect the quiet zone around the code; crowding it is the most common cause of misreads.
- Size modules for the scanner and the working distance, and allow for curved surfaces.
- Verify codes on finished labels, not just on the artwork file.
- Link the code to a serial record at production, test, packing, install and service.
Material guideChoosing insulation materials
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- FR4 (glass epoxy) is a rigid, strong insulating sheet for barriers and supports.
- Polyester film is a thin, flexible dielectric for general insulation and protection.
- Polyimide film is selected where high temperature is the main constraint.
- Nomex® and Formex® are specified for particular flame-retardant or thermal needs, where your standard calls for them.
- Always confirm the material against your own voltage, temperature and approval requirements.
Material guideGaskets, foams and die-cuts
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- Define the gap, compression and the surface that the part seals against.
- EPDM and other foams suit seals and cushioning; choose by temperature, compression set and fluids.
- Adhesive-backed die-cuts speed up assembly; the adhesive must match both surfaces.
- State tolerances on the drawing so the cutting process can be confirmed before quotation.
Material guideThermal interface materials
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- Measure the real gap between the heat source and the sink before choosing a thickness.
- Gap fillers conform to uneven surfaces; thin interface films suit tight, flat contacts.
- Check electrical isolation needs alongside thermal performance, especially in EV and power electronics.
- Validate with samples under the real assembly pressure.
Technical noteWhy labels fail, and how to prevent it
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- Edge lift and curling: usually a surface-energy, radius or temperature mismatch.
- Fading and embrittlement: choose UV-stable faces and inks for outdoor service.
- Smudging and wear: use a protective laminate or a more durable print system.
- Adhesive failure after cleaning: test with the actual cleaners at the actual temperature.
- Validate on the real surface before release; a lab sample on the wrong substrate proves little.
GLOSSARY
Plain-language terms.
- AIDC
- Automatic identification and data capture: barcode, 2D code, RFID and vision.
- RFID
- Radio-frequency identification: tags read without direct line of sight.
- Facestock
- The printable top material of a label.
- Liner
- The backing sheet an adhesive label sits on until applied.
- Die-cut
- A part cut to an exact shape with a cutting die.
- Kiss-cut
- Cut through the face only, leaving the liner intact.
- Surface energy
- How readily an adhesive wets a surface; low-energy plastics are harder to bond.
- Quiet zone
- The blank margin around a barcode that scanners need.
- TIM
- Thermal interface material that moves heat between parts.
- NPI
- New product introduction: the phase before steady production.
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