Find the Right Material for Your Application
Choosing the right label or tag material is just as important as selecting the right printer or barcode technology. The material you choose directly affects print quality, durability, adhesive performance, environmental resistance, and the overall lifespan of your identification solution. Whether your labels are exposed to moisture, chemicals, abrasion, freezing temperatures, UV light, or outdoor conditions, selecting the proper material helps ensure your information remains readable throughout the product’s lifecycle.
At International Bar Coding (IBC), we manufacture and supply an extensive range of standard and custom label and tag materials to meet virtually any application. From economical paper labels for shipping and retail to rugged synthetic materials designed for industrial manufacturing, healthcare, forestry, food production, and outdoor asset tracking, our materials are carefully selected to provide dependable performance in demanding environments.
This resource provides an overview of IBC’s standard material specifications, helping you compare the characteristics, benefits, and recommended applications for each material. Our material library is organized into four primary categories:
- Paper Tags – Durable, non-adhesive tags for product identification, inventory control, shipping, horticulture, lumber, and industrial applications.
- Paper Labels – Cost-effective adhesive labels for shipping, retail, warehousing, food production, logistics, and general product identification.
- Synthetic Tags – Tear-resistant tags designed for harsh environments requiring superior durability, moisture resistance, and long service life.
- Synthetic Labels – High-performance adhesive labels engineered for exposure to water, chemicals, abrasion, UV light, extreme temperatures, and demanding industrial conditions.
Many of our materials are available with a variety of adhesives, top coatings, liners, finishes, and printing technologies, including direct thermal, thermal transfer, laser, inkjet, and RFID-compatible constructions. We also offer food-safe materials, freezer-grade adhesives, removable and permanent adhesives, and specialized constructions designed to meet industry-specific requirements.
With more than 30 years of experience in labeling, traceability, and automatic identification, IBC can help you select the ideal material based on your environment, application, regulatory requirements, and performance expectations. Whether you’re printing a few hundred labels or producing millions annually, our team can recommend a solution that balances durability, performance, and cost.
Browse the material categories below to learn more about each label and tag construction, compare specifications, and find the best material for your application.
Paper Tags
IBCTP744 – 10 Pt C2S FSC Paper Tag
IBCTP483 – 10 Pt C2S FSC Paper Tag
IBCTP972 – 11 Pt C2S FSC Paper Tag
Paper Labels
IBCLP800 – Matte DT Paper Label with Freezer Grade Adhesive on Paper Liner
IBCLP872 – Matte TT Paper Label with Freezer Grade Adhesive on Paper Liner
IBCLP645 – Matte Paper Label with FDA Direct Contact Food Adhesive on Paper Liner
Synthetic Tags
IBCTS930 – 7.5 Mil Matte TT Tag
IBCTS928 – 6.5 Mil Matte TT Tag
Synthetic Labels
IBCLS102 – Gloss TT Synthetic Label with Freezer Grade All Temp Adhesive on Paper Liner
IBCLS609 – Matte TT Synthetic Label with Freezer Grade All Temp Adhesive on Paper Liner
IBCLS305 – Matte TT Synthetic Label with Double Coat Freezer Grade All Temp Adhesive on Paper Liner
IBCLS287 – 2 Mil Clear Synthetic Label with All Temp Adhesive on Paper Liner