Before specifying your labels, you need to decide upon the environment in which they will be used. You should also decide how permanent or hard wearing you want them to be.

First, establish in what ambient temperature and humidity conditions the labels will be used. There are special adhesives designed to be waterproof or to be used in high humidity. Others are made for use in freezing conditions or intended to be water soluble.

Then, decide which of the many different grades of adhesive is best for your purpose. These range from a very' low tack' adhesive for labels that are designed to be removed with ease, right through to very 'high tack', or permanent, adhesives that should permanently fix the label to the surface.

For example, you would want a 'low tack' adhesive for an advertising label on a book cover but you would want a 'high tack' , or permanent adhesive on a security label designed to be fixed to a piece of company property.