MIL PAPERS would like you to get the best possible quality from your self adhesive materials, below you will find environmental information, repulpability, handling & storage guidelines and general guidance notes that will ensure the highest standards are achieved throughout the labels life.

MIL PAPERS takes its environmental responsibilities seriously and will endeavour to minimise the environmental impact of its manufacturing and distribution activities. 

The company is continually looking for ways to encourage environment protection where this can be effected through its own organisation and/or industry in which it operates. 

The manufacturing operation is not considered to have any significant adverse impact on the environment, but the company is nevertheless committed where possible to:

• using 100% solvent free adhesives whether aqueous or hot melt, and solventless silicone.
   
  
• using sheet permanent and removable adhesives which are repulpable according to FTM 19, on our standard grades to enable recycling of labelled packaging materials - For further details see section on repulpability, overleaf.
   
  
• using packaging and raw materials which conform to environmentally directed standards for recyclability, re-use and heavy metal content.
   
  
• adopting raw materials that comply with BS EN 71-3 (Toy safety regarding toxic metal content).
   
  
• adopting raw materials that comply with food packaging regulations (BGA or US F & DA) applicable to limited contacts with foodstuffs.
   
  
• giving preference to suppliers who have formally approved quality and environmental management systems.
   
  
• in our sheet range using papers manufactured only from pulp bleached by elemental chlorine free (ECF) or totally chlorine free (TCF) methods.
   
  
• offering label paper with high recycled fibre content where customers specify.
   
  
• meeting all legislative requirements for atmospheric emissions, trade effluents and waste disposal.

• TAKTIK HOT MELT PERMANENT
  
  
• TAKTIK HOT MELT REMOVABLE
  
  
• TAKTIK AQUEOUS PERMANENT

Form a major part of the standard Taktik self-adhesive Sheet range.

All three adhesives have been evaluated successfully for repulpability according to FINAT test method FTM19.

The FTM 19 test evaluates exactly how self-adhesive paper labels behave when recycled with waste paper, including whether adhesive tickies are produced which can reduce the quality of the waste paper product, or lead to problems during the recycling process.

Taktik hot melt permanent, removable and aqueous permanent adhesives when coated onto a paper label, do not interfere with the processing of waste paper. This means products labelled with any of these adhe-sives can be incorporated into packaging waste destined for typical high pH repulping systems utilising a screening with flotation process.

THIS BENEFIT IS OFFERED WITH ABSOLUTELY NO COMPROMISE IN ADHESIVE PERFORMANCE.

Full technical details on the three adhesives highlighted, including their compliance with US and European regulations for indirect contact with foodstuffs, can be obtained from diaures.

Handling & Storage

Taktik sheets should always be kept flat and stored in a cool, dry place, with a relative humidity of between 50% and 55% (183). Sheets should be allowed to adjust to print room conditions in their original wrapping prior to printing.

• Material should be kept in stacks of no more than 2500 sheets, to avoid edge bleed. Rotate stocks regularly and always reseal partially used packs.

Guillotining

Use minimum pressure and a clean clamp to avoid guillotine drag and adhesive bleed.

• Keep blade sharp and clean.

• Silicone spray, if used, should be carefully applied during the guillotine process as spillage can affect ink key to paper.

• No more than 250 sheets of any standard self adhesive product should be cut at one time. In the case of delicate and specialist materials e.g. Removable adhesive, please check the relevant Product Information Sheet or discuss with diaures.

• After guillotining, fan, shuffle and powder the stack.

NB Scoreline?sheets must be uniform in direction when guillotined. Labels for cylindrical containers must have grain running from top to bottom.

Printing

Self adhesive materials can be safely printed on standard sheet presses, with the same inks as regularly used on the same face paper for non-self adhesive printing. To prevent adhesive build up on the press dur-ing printing, it is advisable to apply silicone directly to feed and delivery tables where the adhesive edge comes into contact with the machine.Adjust press for extra sheet thickness to avoid simultaneous sheet feed and when necessary reduce machine speed. Cover material with plastic if left overnight or between colours.

THE FACE PAPERS

Coated Papers

There are many face paper coatings available within the standard self adhesive Taktik range, all of which affect the smoothness, absorbency and finish of label face paper. These coatings include gloss, matt and specialist.

Gloss Coated:

Cast Coating offers the highest finish possible. Its mirror casting gives excellent print results and is absorbent. Cast coated inks should be used to ensure optimum ink key to this ultra shiny surface.

Taktik Product Available:

Supreme Gloss: Cast Coated: Blubak Gloss: Castcard

Calendering a coated product is the second method of achieving a high gloss result. The surface is less absorbent than cast coating and slightly less glossy ?but it forms an excellent base for over varnishing.

Taktik Products Available:

Chromo: Machine Coated: High Gloss: M-Cote: Digitak?Gloss: Smoothcard

Matt Coated:

These papers are ideal for printing - in single or full colour - detailed information which needs to be clear. A gloss surface could distract the reader.

Taktik Products Available:

Smoothprint: Mattprint: Digitak?Matt: Blubak Matt: Fluorescents

Specialist Coatings:

CF Coated. When pressure is applied (by pen or keyboard) to a carbonless, multipart set, the CF self adhesive material at the bottom of the set receives an image from the CB coating.

Taktik Product Available:

CF80 (Coated Front)

Metallic Coated papers have a metallic pigmented smooth coating applied to a coated woodfree paper.

Taktik Products Available:

Metallic Silver: Metallic Gold.

Paper backed foils are made from a thin aluminium foil laminated to a woodfree paper. The foils are vinyl lacquered to improve the key.

Taktik Products Available:

Gloss Gold and Gloss Silver Foils

N.B. When printing either Taktik Metallic or paper backed foils, ink should be selected on the basis of supplier's recommendations.

Uncoated papers:

These may also be calendered for a smooth finish. Suitable for much multicolour work. The paper is more absorbent than coated versions - which means minimum colour lift.

Taktik Products Available:

Labelstock: Offset 80: Colours: Uniprint: Copyspeed: Laserspeed: Labelcard:

Other face paper characteristics can also affect label performance.
For instance:

• Flexibility is needed for application to tight circumstances.

• Rigidity - for good flatness.

• Smoothness - for printability.

• Opacity - if a product is over-labelled.

For further information on the Taktik range of papers see sections on Premier, Value and Specialities.

THE ADHESIVE

Having selected the correct face paper for the job, it is essential to ensure that the adhesive chosen is fit for the purpose. There is a range of eight Taktik adhesives. The five main adhesive types are summarised as follows:

• Hot Melt Permanent - with high initial tack and good permanent bond to a wide range of surfaces.
  This is not a re-positionable adhesive.

• Removable - suitable for applications where clean removability from hard surfaces is required.

• Extra Permanent - for especially demanding applications or where a particularly strong bond is needed.

• Freezer - for permanent labelling of frozen surfaces or packs to be subsequently frozen.

• Water Removable - a wash-off adhesive for use where label removal in warm water is desired.

For technical information on Taktik adhesives see the section on Adhesives.

Adhesive Choice

There is no such thing as a universal adhesive so it is important to select the right type of adhesive to ensure the success of any label application. Ideally, a sample of the product/surface to be labelled should be obtained but, if it is not feasible, certain parameters should be considered before making a choice of adhesive.

1. What is the surface to be labelled?

2. Is it smooth or rough?

3. Is it flat or curved?

4. Is it dry and clean?

5. Has it been treated in any way that would prevent the adhesive from making direct contact with it?

6. Is the label to be permanent or will it be removed at some point?

7. Under what conditions must the label perform - at application and later when bedded down?

Problem surfaces where many adhesives will not stick.
These include surfaces that are:

• Siliconised, waxy, greasy, with a high recycled content and some that are varnished

• Rough ?such as cork, foam or fibrous card

NB.removable performance from this type of surface maybe variable

• Moist or cold

• Dusty

• Highly plasticised, such as files, sample packs, etc.

There are also surfaces which may be damaged by application of a self adhesive label.
For instance:

• Certain plastics - i.e. PVC and Perspex

• Paint

• Delicate fabrics like silk, suede and leather

• Tarnishable metals such as silver and brass

THE BACKING

All Taktik sheets and labels use a robust kraft backing because it is:

• Stable - Ideal for face cutting flat sheets

• Bulky and Rigid - for good machine feed

Kraft paper is also rough on the reverse which enables machine grippers to pick up and pass sheets of labels through the printing press.

Summary

For troublefree, successful self adhesive labelling on each occasion, simply...

1. Ask the relevant questions about the application and obtain samples, if possible, so that the right adhesive may be chosen.

2. Select the correct face paper for the end use application.

3. Test-Print with the inks recommended for the particular face paper used.