Adhesive
Domed labels are about 30 times thicker and heavier than a standard label and for this reason require a stronger and thicker adhesive. Considering that 99.99% of all labels are un-domed, standard label companies simply do not stock materials with adequate adhesive to permanently bond domed labels. Label printers may be able to print the label and send it to us for doming, but their standard label adhesive is 400% too thin for the needs of a domed label. In contrast, DomeTag only makes domed labels so all of our label adhesives are made exclusively for domed labels. Our adhesives are custom made and in inventory allowing for fast turnaround on all varieties of doming applications.
The two primary adhesives options we offer are Standard and Elephant Snot adhesive®. Both of these adhesives are custom made to our specifications for domed labels.
Elephant Snot Adhesive®
is an extra thick, high strength, permanent, pressure sensitive, acrylic adhesive trademarked by the U.S. Patent Office exclusively for DomeTag. Elephant Snot adhesive® is the result of years of research to find the best adhesive for the extra demands of a domed label mounted to a textured surface. It performs superbly in both indoor and outdoor settings on lightly textured surfaces. This adhesive is 8x thicker than industry standard label adhesives. Because of this, it works great on rough and textured surfaces where the thicker adhesive is needed to achieve maximum contact with irregular surfaces.
Permanent Adhesive
The best adhesive does not need to cost extra; the best adhesive is determined by the mounting surface. For example, domed labels which will be mounted to a glossy-smooth surface require less adhesive thickness. Our Permanent Adhesive is custom made for the correct adhesion of domed labels to flat, smooth surfaces. While many factors should be considered such as operating temperature, chemical exposure, surface energy, etc., the most important factor determining the best adhesive is typically the roughness of the mounting surface. Our Permanent Adhesive is 3-4 times thicker than a typical un-domed label adhesive and is ideal for the extra bonding requirements of a domed label onto a smooth surface.
Acrylic Adhesive: Both Elephant Snot Adhesive and Permanent Adhesive are acrylic based adhesives which are engineered for indoor and outdoor applications, resistant to sunlight, not easily broken up by water or humidity, and can withstand extreme temperature fluctuations. These acrylic adhesives will continue to cure to the surface they are applied to over time and actually increase adhesion strength over years of bonding.
Other Adhesive options
Scrim adhesive is made for extremely rough surfaces such as wood, carpet, heavy fabrics, bags and canvas material with limited exposure to moisture. This 7-9 mil thick (0.007 – 0.009”) rubber based adhesive has high initial tack that flows into the fibers of the mounting surface. It is called “scrim adhesive” because it is held together with a fine woven mesh.
Heat-fusible textile adhesive is applied with special equipment that melts the adhesive into the fibers of the mounting surface (similar to hot-melt glue) to create a permanent bond suitable for laundering and dry cleaning. This adhesive is ideal for cotton, hemp and other natural fibers. Synthetic materials such as nylon and polyester typically have a waterproof coating which prevents proper bonding for this adhesive. Consider scrim adhesive, sewing, bezels or liquid glue as options for synthetic materials.
Foam adhesive is excellent for rough, irregular surfaces and for domed labels that experience frequent vibration. The black or white foam base is typically 1/16” thick and helps the domed label conform to unique surfaces as well as absorb shock. It is coated with acrylic adhesive ideal for indoor and outdoor applications.
Removable Adhesive is ideal for domed labels that need to be removed over time. This is different from a reposition-able adhesive which requires the ability to adjust the label during assembly before forming a permanent bond. A variety of adhesives can be used for removable applications including acrylic, rubber and static-cling depending upon the mounting surface and use requirements.
Note: Even permanent adhesives can typically be removed and re-positioned within the first minute of adhesion. The bond increases substantially in the first few minutes when combined with pressure and/or temperature. Removable adhesives are designed for removal after days of application. Please contact DomeTag to discuss your specific needs.