What to Consider When Choosing Labels for Outdoor Use
Outdoor labels face all sorts of challenges: rain, sun, wind, heat, cold… you name it. And when you need labels to provide instructions, safety information or clear signage in outdoor environments you need to know you can rely on them.
So, what should you be thinking about when choosing labels that need to handle the great outdoors? Here at GSM Graphic Arts, we’ve been helping businesses find the right labelling solutions for over 50 years and we know exactly how to keep labels thriving in tough conditions. Let’s take a look at what to keep in mind.
Choose Durable Materials
Let’s start with the most obvious, outdoor labels need to be tough. You don’t want them fading in the sun, corroding in the rain or getting scratched after a bit of wear and tear.
The right material can make all the difference. Here are some top choices:
- Anodised Aluminium – Lightweight and digitally printed for a highly visual, professional finish with excellent resistance to wear and tear.
- Stainless Steel – Highly durable and resistant to corrosion, making it ideal for extreme environments including off-shore applications. Chemically etched and infilled or laser marked for precise, clear, and long-lasting data.
- Polycarbonate – Under-surface printed for enhanced durability, with options for barcodes, sequential data, and custom-cut shapes.
- Polyester – Hard-wearing and long-lasting, perfect for industrial environments.
- Brass – Etched, infilled and sprayed with a clear lacquer to avoid tarnishing in outdoor environments.
At GSM Graphic Arts, we take durability seriously. In fact, our labels come with a Five-Year No-Fade Guarantee. By testing to ANSI B71.4 specifications at an independent lab, we make sure our products stay legible and keep their colour for at least five years, even in tough conditions.
Think about how long your equipment or product will be in use. Your label should last just as long.
Make Sure Your Labels Withstand the Elements
Outdoor labels have to deal with a lot. From UV exposure and temperature extremes to wind, rain and snow, outdoor labels face it all. So it’s important to choose materials and finishes that can handle all types of weather without falling apart.
We offer UV-resistant labels and waterproof finishes that help your labels maintain their visual clarity and structural integrity, even after years against the elements.
Select the Right Application Method
Not all outdoor labels are applied the same way. Some are stuck onto a surface with a high-performance adhesive, while others, like metal nameplates, are fixed in place with rivets, screws or other mechanical methods. It all depends on your product and where the label’s going.
For example, if your label needs to attach to a powder-coated or uneven surface, we can advise on the best adhesive or fixing method to make sure it stays put for the long haul. Whether it’s bonding to metal, plastic or textured finishes, our team can help you find the right solution.
Need to check before committing? No problem! You can request a sample pack for you to test on your own equipment or surface.
Prioritise Clarity and Legibility
A label’s no good if no one can read it. For safety info and instructions, it needs to stay clear and legible for as long as it’s in use. We use printing techniques that protect text and graphics from rubbing off or wearing away over time, so that your labels will still be doing their job years down the line.
Got Standards to Meet?
If you work in a regulated industry, your labels might need to tick certain boxes, like including CE markings, barcodes or serial numbers. We can help with that too.
Our outdoor labels can be made to meet industry standards while still being tough enough for challenging environments.
Why Work with GSM Graphic Arts?
We’ve been creating high-quality labels for over five decades, and we know what works. Whether you need a single prototype or a large production run, we’ll work with you to make sure your labels are exactly what you need. Strong, long-lasting and made to order.
Need help choosing the right label? Speak to our team today.
