How can I cover up incorrect data on a label?
Written by Oliver Stockton, Managing Director, CILS
Sometimes equipment is purchased, modified and resold to suit the requirements of customers, which means that the information on the label may no longer be correct. Also, model numbers may be revised or superseded or printed incorrectly.
There was a notable situation a few years ago that affected the entire motorcycle industry in France when an EU directive came into force that changed the way in which an engine's horsepower was measured. The existing horsepower on the engines needed to be altered by the stockists of engines that had already been built, labelled and supplied.
If it isn’t possible to change the original label, a ‘cover-up’ label may be required. Firstly, the durability of the label should be considered and will need to be appropriate for the end-use of the product and the environment that the label needs to resist.
You also need to consider how permanent the label needs to be and the consequences if the label is removed. i.e. you may not want the ‘cover-up’ label to be removed easily.
Another consideration is how professional you would like the label to look. If you have a high-end or value-added product, the appearance of the label may be important to you.
Cost is another consideration and you may find that it is just as cost-effective to re-print the original label or relabel with the new/correct data.
If you want to deter removal of the ‘cover-up’ label, your options are to use a tamper-evident label that will fracture like an eggshell on attempted removal (CILS-8800 labels) or, if you want to ensure that when the ‘cover-up’ label is removed, it cannot be transferred and leaves a ‘void’ message on the label and the surface, CILS-TMS (VOID) is ideal. These are premium label solutions due to their technical tamper properties. A special extra high-tack version (CILS 8200VHT) was used for the motorcycle engines mentioned above because the permanency and ‘voiding’ was so important.
If you just need durable labels that are difficult to remove, CILS-TGWPET(HSE) white or CILS-TSSPET(HSE) satin silver have solvent acrylic adhesives which cure and are therefore very difficult to remove, especially as time goes on. Satin silver labels are completely opaque which may be important if you don’t want to be able to see any trace of the data that is being covered up.
Economical options include a gloss white water-tolerant paper with a special opaque ‘block-out’ adhesive (CILS 8700GBO) which is low cost and specifically designed so that you cannot see through the label. It is made from paper so will tear when removed.
Options are available blank for you to print in-house yourself, perhaps with a laser printer or we can provide them ready-printed with your data.
If you are looking for a ‘cover-up label’ there are lots of options and these are just a few. Let us know your situation and requirements so we can suggest the most appropriate solution.