What is a Release Liner? Meaning & More
What is a Release Liner? Meaning & More
What is a Release Liner? Meaning & More
There’s more to your labels than what your customers see. Every label is made up of multiple components that play a specific role. While most consumers will see your label material or decorative elements, there’s one key component that makes sure your labels get to where they need to go: the release liner.
Firsta are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.
What is a Label Release Liner?
To get to the bottom of a release liner’s meaning and role, it’s important to understand how a label is constructed. These are the four main layers of a label from top to bottom.
As you can see, the release liner serves as the base layer for any roll of pressure sensitive labels. This release liner is a thin sheet with a silicone layer that allows adhesive to release the roll so that it can be applied to another surface. If it weren’t for the release liner, also known as a carrier, your labels would simply stick to each other or something else before you could transport it to the next application.
The Different Types of Release Liners
Like label materials, there are different types of release liners available for use. Each of these carriers have different advantages depending on your applicator and other product factors. While there are a variety of options, there are three types of release liners that are common for product labels.
PET (polyester)
Calendered Kraft paper
Polykraft paper
PET release liners
A pet release liner is made with polyester film to create a carrier that’s extremely smooth. A major advantage of PET release liners is that they don’t break as easily as a paper liner. That strength makes PET release liners a great choice for high-speed applicators.
Another benefit of PET release liners is that they’re great for wet applications. For example, beer cans are typically soaking wet by the time they reach the labeling line, so that added durability is a major positive for any adverse applicating environments. PET is also thinner than the usual release liner papers. As such, a standard 1.2 mm PET release liner will allow you to get more labels on a roll and take up less space during shipping and storage.
Calendered kraft paper release liners
While film release liners have their advantages, paper carries are still extremely common for labels in multiple industries. Super calendered kraft (SCK) papers are typically bleached white and are commonplace in the U.S. as many applicators are made to accommodate papers.
The reason why businesses commonly turn to SCK release liners extends beyond paper being an old standby for label carriers. A paper being “calendered” means that it’s polished, so an SCK is smoother than regular paper liners. That smoothness and the ability to work with the majority of applicators makes SCK a go-to option for product labels.
Polykraft release liners
A polykraft release liner is essentially a mid-point between PET and paper label carriers. Polykraft is a brown, unbleached paper that’s a little thicker and heavier than standard kraft papers. This extra heft and thickness is because polykraft has a very thin layer of polypropylene married to the paper.
The advantage of Polykraft is that the layer of polypropylene makes the material more stable and sturdy. These qualities help with moisture barriers while still allowing companies to invest in paper liners. As such, Polykraft is typically used in wine labeling and other industries that are used to paper release liners, but still need that added stability to deal with moisture.
How to Identify the Right Label Release Liner
While there are multiple label release liners available, there are a few different factors that can impact which one is best for your needs. To identify the right carrier for your labels, you’ll want to weigh the following considerations.
Your label applicator
The biggest factor in which release liner you should use depends on how you’re going to apply those labels. An applicator reads the gap between labels to know when the applicator should dispense a label. Once the sensor reads a gap, it will dispense a label so that it catches a can, bottle, or any other container. However, the wrong release liner can lead to label application issues.
Simply put, some applicators aren’t made to read clear liners. New applicators are built to accept clear release liners, which means PET carriers shouldn’t pose problems. However, you would need to opt for SCK, Polykraft, or some other opaque release liner if your application process isn’t made to handle clear carriers.
Environmental factors
The applicator isn’t the only potential challenge during the application process. You also need to make sure your release liner works with your applicating conditions.
Different application environments pose certain problems for your release liners. Wet conditions are the biggest issue, especially for paper carriers. If a beer can or some other container is soaking wet, that can cause carriers without enough moisture resistance to tear. As such, you’ll need to invest in a PET release liner or another solution that can hold up to your applicating environment.
Clear labels
Some liner issues are less obvious than others. While the carrier is removed before your labels are applied, it can still have a visual impact on clear labels if you’re not careful.
If you want to use clear labels, its best to use some form of film release liner. The reason for this is that running a clear label on a paper liner can make the label look cloudy. This cloudiness occurs because the label adhesive takes the shape of the carrier. Even a super calendered paper has small fibers that can impact the adhesive. Because of this, it’s best to use a PET release liner that has no imperfections and will enable true clarity.
Invest in the Perfect Labels from Top to Bottom
While they don’t end up on your products, different types of release liners play a pivotal part for your labels. That’s why Blue Label strives to provide the perfect labeling solution for your products. Our experts work with you to uncover any opportunities and potential issues to make sure every layer of your label is perfect for your needs.
Ready to invest in the right labels for your products? Contact us today to talk about your next label project.
Adhesive Release Liners Overview and Selection
Have you ever gone to peel a sticker but couldn’t remove it from the sheet?
Adhesive release liners are all around you, but it’s only when they start to malfunction that people tend to notice.
When working on a product, you’ll want the release liner to fit seamlessly into your application process. Whether cutting, adding, or stripping adhesive liners away, Strouse constantly tests and adapts liners for our clients’ needs.
Before you go hunting for adhesive liners, allow us to review what they are, the different types, and how to match a liner to the application so you can achieve the best project results possible.
What are Adhesive Release Liners?
As a converter of flexible materials, we love to talk about pressure sensitive adhesives (PSA). However, the unsung hero of the adhesive world may be the release liner, also known as the “carrier” or “backing.”
Adhesive release liners — typically a coated paper or film — carry the sticky adhesive and serve as a protective covering until the pressure-sensitive adhesive is needed. You probably know them as the shiny paper that carries a sticker or label.
In many cases, the release liner is one of the most critical decisions when designing a PSA. It has to have the right qualities and features to precisely match the application (hand-applied or automatic dispensing) and processing (slitting, die-cutting, etc.). The good news? You have a LOT of options.
Types of Adhesive Release Liners
A release liner’s base may be paper, polycoated paper, film, or metalized film. The liner itself can be coated with silicone or non-silicone to ease separation from the adhesive.
As we’ll discuss further, the customization of your liner depends on the precise delivery or dispensing system needed for the application. For now, here are the three primary materials used for adhesive release liners:
Paper — The most common release liners, paper is offered in four main types: Densified Kraft (DK), Extended Densified Kraft (XL), Polycoated Kraft (PCK), and Extensible Polycoated Kraft (EK).
Film — Film release liners are steadily increasing, especially for labels and tapes, industrial (roofing shingles, insulation products), and medical/hygiene (electrodes, wound dressings, diapers, etc.). Film liners generally have two types: Polyester (PET) and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE).
Specialty — These release liners include specialized film (such as metalized film) and other unique substrates for highly specialized applications in various industries (aerospace, automotive, wind energy, etc.).
Manufacturers coat a release agent on liners (often silicone but not always) to laminate and protect the adhesive it is applying to from exposure before use. The “release level” is the degree of separation of the adhesive from the substrate, ultimately dictating the release liner's characteristics.
MATCHING A RELEASE LINER TO THE APPLICATION
Pairing your custom-converted adhesive part with the optimal liner is crucial for many applications, including automatic assembly processes.
For instance, let’s say a print company is preparing inkjet cartridges. It’s critical to the automated assembly process that the release liner performs well so the components can release from the liner as intended and dispense onto the cartridge accurately.
Release liners come in different formats:
Easy, medium, or tight release
Single- or double-sided release
Printed
Medical grade
Are you interested in learning more about china release liners(ar,ru,fr)? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!
Extended liner for easy removal
Split back
And other adhesive features so they can fit more use cases.
Finding an Adhesive Release Liner
Choosing the right adhesive release liner will give you a quick and easy application, but how do you make a good selection?
If you need help finding a suitable adhesive release liner, consider seeking advice from your adhesive converter. Many converters offer sampling and prototyping services that allow you to test the part before you invest in full-stage production.
Plus, an experienced converter has handled many types of material and will invest in understanding your product from start to finish. The best converters can also adjust to working with customers who supply their own materials or release liners for a converted part.
If you’re unsure about your design or materials, you can get your part evaluated for manufacturability.
Originally published: September 30,
The label liner release paper supply outlook for -
A few months ago, we wrote about a supply chain challenge that has the potential to create significant problems for the adhesive labeling industry.
Pixelle Specialty Solutions, a giant in the specialty papers market, announced that it would close its paper mill in Jay, Maine, effective Q1 of . The Pixelle mill is unique in that it supplies up to 30% of the release liner paper consumed by North American manufacturers of pressure sensitive labels. This news followed a UPM labor strike in Finland that shuttered one of the other main sources of liner paper for much of .
The UPM strike eventually ended and the Pixelle closure was deferred a few months into to allow additional inventories to accumulate. However, the supply outlook for this vital raw material remains uncertain. Our latest blog will bring you up to date on the Pixelle situation and the outlook for label liner paper in the coming months.
Label Liner Supply in
Since the pending closure of the Pixelle mill was first announced, the outlook for label liner release paper has stabilized somewhat. The situation did not deteriorate in late and the extension of Pixelle’s operations further into was a welcome reprieve. Label manufacturers used that extra time to stockpile liner paper and to start forming contingency plans.
However, the extension essentially “kicked the can down the road” on the underlying issue. A significant source of label liner paper will soon disappear. While the outlook for may no longer seem quite so dire, the clock is ticking on and beyond.
Inflationary pressure continues
Global supply chains constraints have shown signs of easing in Q1 of . Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the label release paper situation. No one has yet stepped forward as a viable buyer for the Pixelle mill. Without one, the supply of liner paper will soon be significantly reduced and prices can be expected to rise.
Likewise, the economy itself continues to be in an inflationary mode in . Costs for raw materials such as paper pulp show signs of softening but remain comparatively high. Persistent volatility is also expected in oil prices as China’s economy reopens and the Russia/Ukraine conflict escalates.
The label liner supply chain is precarious
A disproportionate share of the world’s supply of label liner release paper comes from a handful of production facilities – one of which will soon close. Events of the past two years offer a sobering reminder of what can happen when so many eggs are placed in such a small basket.
Pixelle’s woes first began in when a pulp digester at the Jay mill exploded and was never replaced. The UPM strike in Finland brought production to a standstill for months on end. These types of disruptions are a constant threat in the paper industry. A fire, labor strike, power grid failure, cyberattack or extreme weather event at any of the remaining label liner production facilities has the potential to shock the supply chain further in .
Planning Ahead for
Barring an eleventh-hour miracle, the Pixelle mill will close shortly and those who rely on adhesive labels will face a new reality for . To minimize your supply chain risk going forward, we recommend that you partner with your label supplier to formulate a three-part raw materials contingency plan.
1: Drop-in materials
When printing labels, it is often possible to substitute one raw material SKU for another without noteworthy changes in production methods or label performance. If you have not already done so, make sure your label supplier has identified “drop-in” alternatives for label liners and other raw materials required for the production of your label stock.
2: Similar materials
Whenever one type of material becomes unavailable altogether, alternative materials must be sought. In the case of paper label liners, synthetic release liners are one such alternative. Ask your label supplier if certain synthetic types of liners – such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – may be viable alternatives for your label constructions.
3: Alternate technologies or designs
There is more than one way to manufacture a label. As label liner release paper becomes hard to come by, technological innovations gain attention. Linerless labels are one such innovation. Linerless labels have a silicone coating on the face stock that prevents labels from sticking to the rest of the role. No liner paper is necessary, which creates the added benefit of eliminating liner waste from the label manufacturing process.
The Taylor Select Program
A leading provider of labeling solutions to customers nationwide, Taylor produces more than 50 billion labels each and every year. Our in-house materials science expertise and deep supply chain relationships enable us to sidestep supply chain challenges that bring many other label manufacturers to a halt.
Our Taylor Select Program is one example of this expertise. Through years of research and testing, Taylor has created a highly detailed decision tree for hundreds of types of label materials. Like planning moves on a chess board, we already know what drop-in vs. similar vs. alternate materials and processes are available to us should a certain raw material become unavailable.
We also use our proprietary Methodical Assessment of Printed Parts & Processes, known as MAP3, to study the fit, form and function of each label. The engineering recommendations that result allow us to deliver the most cost-effective, strategically sourced, highest-performing and process-friendly label possible. By combining the Taylor Select Program with MAP3, Taylor is uniquely positioned to help customers avoid line-down situations often caused by events like the Pixelle mill closure.
Looking for a predictable and dependable supply of custom labels? Contact Taylor to learn more about our expertise with durable labels.
Release Liners Market, Industry Size Forecast Report [Latest]
Global Release Liners Market Dynamics
DRIVER: Strong demand from packaging industry
Increasing use of release liners in the packaging industry is one of the key growth drivers. The packaging industry is growing extensively due to the rising surge of global consumer demand for packaged goods due to ever-increasing urbanization, e-commerce, and changing consumer preferences. With that growth comes an increased need for high-performing packaging, which must be made of more advanced materials to meet respective performance and durability expectations. In producing labels, tapes, and other adhesive products, release liners play a major role in addressing the changing requirements of the packaging sector.Asendia Management SAS is a global e-commerce and mail services provider based in Paris, and based on its report, retail e-commerce sales in were USD 4. 9 trillion worldwide. Similarly, this retail sales is expected to increase by 50% over the next four years to about 7.4 trillion dollars by . Pressure-sensitive labels have also been widely adopted in packaging for branding, identification, and tamper-evident protection, where release liners are critical. Release liners play a critical role in creating pressure-sensitive labels; these are commonly employed in packaging for branding and identification and tamper-evident purposes.However, sustainability is becoming increasingly important in the packaging sector as companies and customers demand environmentally friendly materials. Market participants are responding to this trend by using recyclable and biodegradable materials. Growth in release liner demand is driven by sustainability initiatives within the packaging industry, which helps encourage radical changes requiring new materials and processes. The rising need for advanced solutions would continue to propel the market further in a global packaging ecosystem.
RESTRAINTS: Preference for shrink-sleeve labels over pressure-sensitive labels
Globally, emerging alternatives are increasingly undermining the preeminent position of traditional glue-applied and pressure-sensitive label technologies. Although sleeve labels have already secured a considerable market share in the developed regions of North America and Europe, these labels are outpacing the older format, especially glue-applied labels in developing areas. In addition, sleeve labels are becoming attractive throughout a variety of industries. Their aesthetic appeal and functional advantages make them an emerging market threat to pressure-sensitive labels. In addition, this type of label includes aesthetic advantages for companies and facilitates operations in the retail environment.These labels are made from shrink films printed in digital printers. When exposed to heat, they shrink and cover the shape of the container or the product. This process leads to a fine, glossy label that merges well with the packaging of the product. Shrink-sleeve labels can be credited for presenting an even greater area for branding and promotional material than traditional label designs, thus offering better chances for attracting the consumer’s attention. Besides, they offer wide coverage that makes them suitable for products exposed to areas containing moisture, such as showers and refrigerators. The graphics are also printed on the interior of the sleeve, thereby ensuring that they are not easily damaged by friction, rough handling, or environmental factors. In the dynamic market environment, most producers of pressure-sensitive labels may require upgrading to shrink-sleeve label technology or face business failure. This could affect the demand for release liners in pressure-sensitive labels until shrink-sleeve labels gain market acceptance.
OPPORTUNITY: Investments in R&D activities
The release liners market is witnessing demand from the packaging sector due to the need for environment-friendly and sustainable alternatives. The packaging industry has seen an important part of this innovation using more sustainable raw materials. This trend is also evident in the release liners industry, which are primary elements in multiple adhesive products. Release liners were often made of paper or plastic with a thin silicone layer. In the current scenario, release liners are being reinvented, with manufacturers using sustainable materials. The market is marked by the preference for release liners manufactured from recycled material.The transition towards sustainability represents an opportunity for release liners market players to innovate and cater to the increasing need for environmentally friendly packaging solutions. This allows them to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. Regulatory pressures and corporate sustainability goals also encourage a move from reliance on virgin plastics and other non-renewable resources, leading to increased interest in sustainable release liners. There is a huge market potential for these recyclable release liners solutions, with the food & beverage, pharmaceutical, and consumer goods industries trending increasingly towards sustainable packaging.Several key players have taken strides in this field with their launches of recyclable or biodegradable release liners. A good example is the “RafCycle program” launched by UPM Raflatac, a global leader in labeling materials and recycling release liners and other label waste for new use. In a similar vein, Avery Dennison has unveiled its “CleanFlake” release liner to help PET packaging recyclability. The Mondi Group has also created fit-for-purpose, environmentally friendly release liners in line with the rapidly expanding sustainable packaging market. These steps reflect industrial commitment toward sustainability efforts and pave the way for commercial prospects in the release liners market when it comes to nurturing environment-friendly developments.
CHALLENGES: Disposable of release liner waste
One major issue concerning the release liners market is disposing of waste. Typically used as backing material for labels, tapes, and other adhesive products, release liners are made of paper or film coated on one or two sides with silicone. While necessary for protecting adhesive surfaces, these liners are wasted after they are peeled away and (after the product is applied) discarded. The wide usage of release liners results in significant waste accumulation over time.One of the main problems with release liner waste is the silicon coating, which hinders recycling. Because most traditional recycling facilities are not set up to easily recycle these materials, most release liners end up in landfills or incinerated. This leads to environmental pollution and waste of reusable materials.The development of recycling programs targeted to release liners (where the silicone coating is removed and the base material recycled) has been one approach to address this challenge. In addition, many companies are looking into biodegradable or more readily recyclable materials for release liners. Although these programs are in place, the lack of widespread infrastructure and education around them does mean that disposal is a big issue. As they endeavor to reduce their waste, the industry is looking for more sustainable ways to handle release liners.
The study involved four major activities for estimating the current size of the global release liners market. Exhaustive secondary research was carried out to collect information on the market, the peer product market, and the parent product group market. The next step was to validate these findings, assumptions, and sizes with the industry experts across the value chain of release liners through primary research. Both the top-down and bottom-up approaches were employed to estimate the overall size of the release liners market. After that, market breakdown and data triangulation procedures were used to determine the size of different segments and sub-segments of the market.
Secondary Research
In the secondary research process, various secondary sources such as Hoovers, Factiva, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, and Dun & Bradstreet were referred to, to identify and collect information for this study on the release liners market. These secondary sources included annual reports, press releases & investor presentations of companies; white papers; certified publications; articles by recognized authors; regulatory bodies, trade directories, and databases.
Primary Research
The release liners market comprises several stakeholders in the supply chain, which include raw material suppliers, processors, end-product manufacturers, buyers, and regulatory organizations. Various primary sources from the supply and demand sides of the markets have been interviewed to obtain qualitative and quantitative information. The primary participants from the demand side include key opinion leaders, executives, vice presidents, and CEOs of companies in the release liners market. Primary sources from the supply side include associations and institutions involved in the release liners industry, key opinion leaders, and processing players.
Following is the breakdown of primary respondents—
Notes: Others include sales, marketing, and product managers.
Tier 1: >USD 1 Billion; Tier 2: USD 500 million–1 Billion; and Tier 3:
To know about the assumptions considered for the study, download the pdf brochure
Both the top-down and bottom-up approaches were used to estimate and validate the size of the global release liners market. These approaches were also used extensively to estimate the size of various segments of the market. The research methodology used to estimate the market size included the following details:
To know about the assumptions considered for the study, Request for Free Sample Report
After arriving at the overall market size from the estimation process explained above, the total market was split into several segments and sub-segments. The data triangulation and market breakdown procedures were employed, wherever applicable, to complete the overall market engineering process and arrive at the exact statistics for all the segments and sub-segments of the release liners market. The data was triangulated by studying various factors and trends from both the demand- and supply-side.
In addition, the market size was validated by using both the top-down and bottom-up approaches. Then, it was verified through primary interviews. Hence, for every data segment, there are three sources—top-down approach, bottom-up approach, and expert interviews. The data were assumed to be correct when the values arrived at from the three sources matched.
A release liner is a film sheet made from paper or plastic that prevents adhesives from sticking prematurely to a surface. This liner is coated on one or both sides with a release agent, like silicone, which allows it to separate easily from sticky materials such as adhesives or mastics. Release liners are crucial in various industries, including labels, tapes, medical applications, industrial coatings, and food packaging They act as a protective.barrier, ensuring that the adhesive remains effective until it is ready for use.
Release liners come in different colors and may feature printing on the back side. They are manufactured using non-migratory materials like polyacrylates, carbamates, polyolefins, fluorocarbons, and silicones, which prevent contamination of the surface they protect. The market offers a variety of substrate materials, including paper-based liners (such as Glassine/Calendered Kraft Paper, Polyolefin Coated Paper, and Clay Coated Paper) and film-based liners (like polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyester).
Along with the given market data, MarketsandMarkets offers customizations as per the specific needs of the companies. The following customization options are available for the report: The company is the world’s best bopp metalized film supplier. We are your one-stop shop for all needs. Our staff are highly-specialized and will help you find the product you need.
Market Size Estimation
Data Triangulation
Market Definition
Key Stakeholders
Report Objectives
Available Customizations
Product Analysis:
Regional Analysis:
Company Information:
Comments
0