Intermediate Bulk Containers (IBC or Tote) labels are a must for Houston, TX chemical companies. These containers are an excellent way for your Houston, TX chemical company to store and ship large quantities of liquid, semi-solid, paste or solid materials. Each IBC (Tote) container requires specific product labeling. These labels must be tailored for your product and your company. Additionally, labels must be produced to withstand the harsh/humid Houston, TX environments. Call Barcode Southwest! We can help determine the best IBC (Tote) labeling solutions for your Houston, TX chemical company.
IBC (Tote) Labeling Considerations
You should keep three important questions in mind when making labeling decisions for IBC (Totes):
- First: What relevant information must be on the label?
- Second: Where are the containers now stored? What is their final storage destination?
- Third: How might heat and humidity impact the labels?
Finally, each of the above three considerations incorporates the all-important concern: Label shelf-life.
Relevant Information
The first considerations are label size and where it will be affixed.
- Will the label be placed on a marking plate?
- Also, will a second label be affixed directly TO the IBC (Tote)?
Label size is the first factor. The label must be large enough to contain all relevant company and product information. It must also be large enough to present required legal information. Furthermore, ask: Will the relevant information be pre-printed on one of both of the required labels?
The second factor is printing of variable information: Will your Houston, TX chemical company need to print variable information on either of these marking and/or container labels?
Barcode Southwest can work with your Houston, TX company to design pre-printed IBC (Tote) labels. We can also help your company select the right thermal label printer should it become necessary to print variable label information. A few examples of variable information are product name, serial number, or barcode.
Storage Environments
IBC (Tote) containers are usually stored in outside environments. Barcode Southwest offers three critical considerations in label design and preserving the integrity (shelf-life) of your IBC (Tote) labels.
Humidity and Condensation
Label design is the first consideration, Label design includes the impact of humidity and condensation associated with harsh Texas climates. To begin with, Texas’ extreme environments can be fickle. Such extremes can reek havoc with the life-span of IBC (Tote) labels. Additionally, there are climate differences throughout the state and the Gulf Coast area in particular. One label may not “do it all.” Finally, it is important to tailor label material and adhesive to the company’s climate.
High humidity and condensation are constant “thorns” in Gulf Coast cities such Houston, TX. A dry surface and the correct label material provide the best solutions when labels will not stick due to humidity and condensation.
Dust
Houston, TX chemical companies are faced with temperature and environmental changes. They must also work in naturally dusty environments. Dusty environments are the the second factor to consider in the life-span of a label. IBC (Tote) containers are subject to changing weather conditions because they tend to be stored outside. Additionally, the labels and information on the labels may also be damaged.
A final consideration is the damage the harsh Houston, TX environments can do to reduce a label’s life span causing the print to fade and adhesives to “wilt.”
Incorrect Adhesives
The third and final culprit leading to potential label failure can be the incorrect adhesive for your Houston, TX chemical company IBC (Tote)s. To begin with, adhesives are uniquely formulated for specific weather environments. First, there are adhesives designed for hot and cold environments. Next, there are adhesives specifically for environments that are consistently hot OR cold. Finally, adhesives are specifically formulated for use on plastics that form the IBC (Tote) body as well as for metals used to form the marking plates.
Call Barcode Southwest at 1-888-764-9965 to see how we can help you find the best IBC (Tote) labeling options for your Houston, TX company. Or complete our contact form!
Barcode Southwest is a premier supplier of barcode printers and labels for a wide range of industry applications. We supply to clients all over the Southwest region of the U.S., including, but not limited to, Houston, TX, Austin, Dallas and San Antonio.
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Posted February 11, 2019 By Lucy
