Pressure Sensitive Label Topcoats

What is a topcoat?

A topcoat is a surface treatment applied during the manufacturing of the face stock that provides for ink adhesion, label durability and visual enhancement of the finished label. Topcoats act similarly to varnishes but are beneath the printed area of the label, therefore provide no external protection for the ink.

In most cases the coating increases the ability of the ink to adhere to the label face stock, preventing smearing or flaking of the printed image. Topcoats are used primarily on non-absorbent substrates such as laminated foils, metallic papers, and film materials (vinyl, polyester, polypropylenes, etc.). Topcoats may also prevent the face stock or label material from breaking down, increasing its longevity.

Benefits of Face Stock Topcoats