More Than Meets the Eye
While some labels can be as simple as three layers (paper, adhesive and a liner), other labels can be more complex with several layers. The AWT team designed a unique two-in-one contact card. While this card may appear to be simply a business card, it actually contains a business card and a label constructed with the following eight layers.
(1) Polypropylene is the top printed layer of the card. The (2) adhesive adheres the polypropylene to the dry-release coupon. The coupon is made up of two layers, the (3) dry-release layer and the clear (4) coupon base. These are separated on the press so the dry-release becomes the bottom of the business card. Special properties of the dry-release allow it to stick to the coupon base but not other surfaces. This is one of the key features of the two-in-one concept, as the top three layers are now one and can be removed to be used as a regular business card that will not stick to anything. This design is great for mail-in rebates or coupons on product packaging. Once the coupon is separated, the clear coupon base becomes the top of the label.
But this layer is not the one that is printed; there is actually another layer of clear (5) adhesive on top of the face stock. It is the (6) face stock on which the label is printed and, as with any label, (7) adhesive is added before it is applied to the (8) liner.
To add another dimension to the design and to show the card’s complexity, the liner was back-printed with the construction diagram shown below. The next time you see a label, just remember; it may not be as simple as it appears!
