How Heat and Humidity Can Ruin Your Labels—and How to Stop It
Keep your labels in perfect condition with these easy storage tips and troubleshooting tricks
Heat and humidity can wreak havoc on your labels—affecting everything from the adhesive to the ink. Whether you’re labelling products for retail, food packaging, or logistics, improper storage can lead to peeling, fading, or labels simply falling off.
That’s why we’ve created this UK-focused guide to help you understand the impact of temperature and moisture on your labels—and how to keep them looking professional year-round.
Did you know: The ideal temperature for storing and applying most labels is between 16°C and 25°C.
4 Surprising Ways Heat Can Damage Your Labels and Stickers (And How to Prevent It)
1. Adhesive Softening
High temperatures can cause adhesives to soften, weakening their hold. You may notice labels curling at the edges, slipping, or detaching entirely.
Quick Test: Apply a label to a similar surface as your packaging. If it remains firmly attached after 24 hours, you’re in good shape.
2. Adhesive Ooze
When labels get too warm, adhesive can ooze from the edges—leading to sticky build-up on packaging lines or printer rollers. This can cause machinery to jam or labels to misalign
What to Watch For: Run your fingers around the label edge. If it feels sticky or uneven, adhesive ooze could be the culprit.
3. Lifting and Curling
Excessive heat may cause labels to lift from their backing sheets or curl. Once the adhesive dries out, reapplying becomes nearly impossible.
Spot Check: Look for visible curling or gently run your hand across the sheet or roll to detect raised edges.
4. Ink Fading
Heat doesn’t just impact adhesive—it can also fade printed ink. This is especially noticeable on labels without a protective coating.
Look For: Patches where colours appear washed out or less vibrant than the rest of the label.
Did you know: In the UK, humidity levels can fluctuate, especially in warehouses and storerooms. Ideal humidity levels for label storage are around 50%.
How Humidity Affects Labels
Ink Distortion
High moisture levels in the air can blur or warp printed details, especially if your labels don’t have a laminate or varnish.
Tip: Inspect printed labels under good lighting. Spot fading or blurry edges are common indicators of moisture damage.
Curling Before Use
Even before you print or apply them, labels can begin to lift from the liner or curl at the edges in humid conditions.
What to Do: Always check labels before use. If the sheets or rolls feel uneven, they may have absorbed too much moisture.
Adhesive Breakdown
Excess humidity can weaken the adhesive’s bond, leading to label failure on your products.
Simple Test: Apply a label to a test surface like your packaging. If it holds for 12 hours or more, you’re fine. If not, it may be time to order new labels or improve your storage setup.
Best Practices for Storing Labels in the UK
Proper storage is key to preventing label failures caused by the British climate. Here’s how to keep your labels in tip-top shape:
Let Labels Acclimatise
Allow 24 to 48 hours for your labels to adjust to the room where they’ll be applied. Temperature and humidity shifts can cause problems if labels aren’t given time to settle.
Control the Climate
Store labels in a room with consistent temperature and humidity. If your facility doesn’t have climate control, choose the most stable part of the building—preferably away from external doors or windows.
Store Low
Since heat rises, avoid storing label rolls or sheets on high shelves where temperatures can be significantly warmer. Also, don’t stack heavy objects on top of label stock to avoid creasing or damage.
Keep Them Out of Sunlight
Direct sunlight can cause ink to fade and adhesives to degrade. Store your labels in a cool, dark place—away from UV exposure.
Final Thoughts
Understanding how heat and humidity affect your labels is crucial to maintaining their quality. By spotting early signs of damage and following these practical storage tips, you’ll avoid costly reprints, mislabelling, and customer complaints.
Take care of your labels—and they’ll take care of your brand.