Store label rolls in a cool, dry, stable place away from heat sources, sunlight and doors to the outside, in their original packaging, rolls lying on their flat end, not on their circumference, without heavy stacking. Use them first in, first out within the shelf life stated for the material, and let rolls coming from a cold or hot warehouse acclimatise to the production room before use. Most adhesive bleed, curl and adhesion problems start in storage.
- Heat makes adhesive flow at the roll edges; humidity makes paper curl.
- Keep rolls in their box and plastic wrap until use.
- Do not stand heavy rolls on their circumference: they develop flat spots.
- First in, first out, within the shelf life on the material data sheet.
- Bring rolls into the production area in advance so they reach room temperature.
Storage checklist
| Factor | Good practice | What goes wrong otherwise |
|---|---|---|
| Temperature | Cool and stable; away from heaters, roofs and sunlight | Adhesive bleed, rolls sticking at the edges |
| Humidity | Moderate and stable; away from loading doors | Paper curl, liner moisture, poor dispensing |
| Packaging | Original box and wrap until use; reclose part-used rolls | Dust on edges, moisture uptake |
| Position | Rolls lying on their flat end; limited stacking | Flat spots, telescoping, crushed cores |
| Rotation | First in, first out with batch labels visible | Old rolls beyond shelf life |
| Before use | Acclimatise in the production room | Condensation, adhesion problems at start-up |
Temperature and humidity
Material and adhesive data sheets state recommended storage conditions; around normal room temperature and moderate humidity is typical. The important word is stable: rolls stored near a loading door in winter or under a warehouse roof in summer go through cycles that make adhesive flow and paper absorb and release moisture.
Shelf life
Adhesives have a shelf life from production, stated by the material manufacturer. Ask your label supplier for it on each material and make sure batch information is on every roll or box. Very large orders that sit in stock for a long time are a hidden risk; see how to reduce label costs.
Acclimatisation
A roll moved from a cold warehouse into a warm, humid filling room can collect condensation, and the adhesive behaves differently until it reaches room temperature. Bring the rolls needed for the next shift into the production area in advance, still packed.
Problems on the line?
If rolls break or jam, see why label rolls break on the labelling line or send details through the specialist contact form.
Frequently asked questions
How should label rolls be stored?
Cool, dry and stable, in the original packaging, lying on their flat end, away from heat, sunlight and outside doors, and used first in, first out.
Do self-adhesive labels expire?
The adhesive has a shelf life stated by the material manufacturer. Ask your supplier for it on each material.
Why do label rolls become sticky at the edges?
Usually adhesive bleed caused by heat, tight winding or long storage.
Should labels be acclimatised before use?
Yes, when they come from a colder or warmer warehouse: let them reach the production room temperature, still packed.