Abstract: Thin film labels, systems, and methods of making and using thereof are described. The thin film systems contain a label and a carrier film, where the label contains an overprint layer, indicia, and an adhesive layer. The carrier film may be coated on one or both sides with a release liner. The adhesive layer can be any suitable adhesive, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, a fluid activatable adhesive, a heat activated adhesive, or a contact activated adhesive. The label is formed by printed or coating one or more layers of precursor material on the carrier film using standard printers. Suitable precursor materials include, but are not limited to epoxys, solvent cast films, polyurethane dispersions, such as acrylic-urethane hybrid polymer dispersions and polyester-polyurethane dispersions. After the overprint layer dries or is cured, the indicia are printed onto the overprint layer, then the adhesive is coated on top of the indicia.

Abstract: Thin film labels, systems, and methods of making and using thereof are described. The thin film systems contain a label and a carrier film, where the label contains an overprint layer, indicia, and an adhesive layer. The carrier film may be coated on one or both sides with a release liner. The adhesive layer can be any suitable adhesive, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, a fluid activatable adhesive, a heat activated adhesive, or a contact activated adhesive. The label is formed by printed or coating one or more layers of precursor material on the carrier film using standard printers. Suitable precursor materials include, but are not limited to epoxys, solvent cast films, polyurethane dispersions, such as acrylic-urethane hybrid polymer dispersions and polyester-polyurethane dispersions. After the overprint layer dries or is cured, the indicia are printed onto the overprint layer, then the adhesive is coated on top of the indicia.

Abstract: Methods for applying a liner-free, or liner-less label, to a substrate, particularly glass or plastic (e.g., PET) substrates are described herein. The method includes applying an adhesive composition, such as a polymeric coating, to a label face sheet, activating the adhesive composition with an activating fluid, and contacting the label to the substrate. The activating fluid is preferably a mixture of water and one or more organic solvents, such as low molecular weight alcohols. In some embodiments, the labels exhibit a percent fiber tear greater than about 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, or 95% after one, two, three, four, or five minutes. In particular embodiments, the labels exhibits a percent fiber tear greater than 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, or 95% after two minutes.

Abstract: Methods for applying a liner-free, or liner-less label, to a substrate, particularly glass or plastic (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate) substrates, are described herein. The method includes applying an adhesive composition, such as a polymeric coating, to a label face sheet, activating the adhesive composition with an activating fluid, and contacting the label to the substrate. The activating fluid is preferably a mixture of water and one or more organic solvents, such as low molecular weight alcohols.

Abstract: Methods for applying a liner-free, or liner-less label, to a substrate, particularly glass or plastic (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate) substrates, are described herein. The method includes applying an adhesive composition, such as a polymeric coating, to a label face sheet, activating the adhesive composition with an activating fluid, and contacting the label to the substrate. The activating fluid is preferably a mixture of water and one or more organic solvents, such as low molecular weight alcohols.

Abstract: Methods for applying a liner-free, or liner-less label, to a substrate, particularly glass or plastic (e.g., polyethylene terephthalate) substrates, are described herein. The method includes applying an adhesive composition, such as a polymeric coating, to a label face sheet, activating the adhesive composition with an activating fluid, and contacting the label to the substrate. The activating fluid is preferably a mixture of water and one or more organic solvents, such as low molecular weight alcohols.

Abstract: Methods for applying a liner-free, or liner-less label, to a substrate, particularly glass or plastic (e.g., PET) substrates are described herein. The method includes applying an adhesive composition, such as a polymeric coating, to a label face sheet, activating the adhesive composition with an activating fluid, and contacting the label to the substrate. The activating fluid is preferably a mixture of water and one or more organic solvents, such as low molecular weight alcohols. In some embodiments, the labels exhibit a percent fiber tear greater than about 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, or 95% after one, two, three, four, or five minutes. In particular embodiments, the labels exhibits a percent fiber tear greater than 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, or 95% after two minutes.

Abstract: Methods for applying a liner-free, or liner-less label, to a substrate, particularly glass or plastic (e.g., PET) substrates are described herein. The method includes applying an adhesive composition, such as a polymeric coating, to a label face sheet, activating the adhesive composition with an activating fluid, and contacting the label to the substrate. The activating fluid is preferably a mixture of water and one or more organic solvents, such as low molecular weight alcohols. In some embodiments, the labels exhibit a percent fiber tear greater than about 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, or 95% after one, two, three, four, or five minutes. In particular embodiments, the labels exhibits a percent fiber tear greater than 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, or 95% after two minutes.

Abstract: Fluid activatable adhesive compositions and activating fluid(s) for activating the adhesive composition are described herein. The adhesive compositions contain at least two polymers with different hydrophilicities. The hydrophilic polymer has quick tack when exposed to a hydrophilic solvent, such as water or other aqueous solvent, while the hydrophobic polymer provides strong adhesion to a paper or polymeric substrate. The adhesive composition may contain particulate fillers which enable fast exhaustion of the activation fluid out of the adhesive when applied to a substrate, thereby allowing the hydrophobic polymers of the adhesive composition to achieve strong adhesion of the liner-free label to the paper or polymeric substrate. The particulate fillers may also function as anti-blocking agents when liner-free label media are tightly wound in a roll.

Abstract: Methods for applying a liner-free, or liner-less label, to a substrate, particularly glass or plastic (e.g., PET) substrates are described herein. The method includes applying an adhesive composition, such as a polymeric coating, to a label face sheet, activating the adhesive composition with an activating fluid, and contacting the label to the substrate. The activating fluid is preferably a mixture of water and one or more organic solvents, such as low molecular weight alcohols. In some embodiments, the labels exhibit a percent fiber tear greater than about 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, or 95% after one, two, three, four, or five minutes. In particular embodiments, the labels exhibits a percent fiber tear greater than 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, or 95% after two minutes.

Abstract: Methods for applying a liner-free, or liner-less label, to a substrate, particularly glass or plastic (e.g., PET) substrates are described herein. The method includes applying an adhesive composition, such as a polymeric coating, to a label face sheet, activating the adhesive composition with an activating fluid, and contacting the label to the substrate. The activating fluid is preferably a mixture of water and one or more organic solvents, such as low molecular weight alcohols. In some embodiments, the labels exhibit a percent fiber tear greater than about 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, or 95% after one, two, three, four, or five minutes. In particular embodiments, the labels exhibits a percent fiber tear greater than 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, or 95% after two minutes.

Abstract: Methods for applying a liner-free, or liner-less label, to a substrate, particularly glass or plastic (e.g., PET) substrates are described herein. The method includes applying an adhesive composition, such as a polymeric coating, to a label face sheet, activating the adhesive composition with an activating fluid, and contacting the label to the substrate. The activating fluid is preferably a mixture of water and one or more organic solvents, such as low molecular weight alcohols. In some embodiments, the labels exhibit a percent fiber tear greater than about 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, or 95% after one, two, three, four, or five minutes. In particular embodiments, the labels exhibits a percent fiber tear greater than 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, or 95% after two minutes.

Abstract: Fluid activatable adhesive compositions and activating fluid(s) for activating the adhesive composition are described herein. The adhesive compositions contain at least two polymers with different hydrophilicities. The hydrophilic polymer has quick tack when exposed to a hydrophilic solvent, such as water or other aqueous solvent, while the hydrophobic polymer provides strong adhesion to a paper or polymeric substrate. The adhesive composition may contain particulate fillers which enable fast exhaustion of the activation fluid out of the adhesive when applied to a substrate, thereby allowing the hydrophobic polymers of the adhesive composition to achieve strong adhesion of the liner-free label to the paper or polymeric substrate. The particulate fillers may also function as anti-blocking agents when liner-free label media are tightly wound in a roll.