Labels can be attached by:
- Pressure sensitive adhesives (also called PSA or self-stick) are applied with light pressure without activation or heat. PSA labels often have release liners which protect the adhesive and assist label handling.
- Heat activated adhesives: for example, "in-mold labeling" can be part of blow molding containers and employs heat activated adhesives.
- Wet glue (starch, dextrin, PVA, etc) or water moistenable gummed adhesive
- String or Twine for tying on a label
- Rivets used to attach information plates to industrial equipment
- Shrink wrap for printed shirinkable labels placed over packages and then submitted to heat for shrinage
- Sewing for clothing, tents, mattresses, industrial sacks, etc
- etc
Adhesive types
- Permanent - Typically not designed to be removed without tearing the stock, damaging the surface, or using solvents. The adhesion strength and speed can also be varied. For example, full adhesion can be nearly instant, or the label can be almost removable for a short period with full adhesion developing in minutes or hours.
- Removable - Adhesion is fairly strong and will not fall off in normal circumstances, but the label can be removed relatively easily without tearing the base stock or leaving adhesive behind on the old surface. The adhesive is usually strong enough to be applied again elsewhere.
