How Heat and Humidity Can Ruin Your Labels—and How to Prevent It
Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
Keep your labels in top shape with these simple storage tips and troubleshooting tricks.
Heat and humidity affect labels in ways that can seriously impact your product’s look and performance. From adhesives softening to ink fading and curling edges, these factors can cause headaches when it’s time to apply your labels. That’s why our team at Avery put together this quick guide on how heat and humidity affect labels—so you can avoid issues and keep your labels (and your business) looking sharp.
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Heat effects on labels and stickers
The ideal temperature range for storing and applying most labels is 60 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
Adhesive softening
Hot temps can soften the adhesive, which weakens the bond. That’s when you’ll see labels curl, peel, or just fall off.
Quick check: Apply a label to a similar surface as your product and see if it holds for 24 hours.
Adhesive ooze
Too much heat and things start to get sticky—literally. Adhesive can soften so much that it starts to ooze out from the label edges. This can transfer onto rollers and equipment, gunking up your application line or even jamming your printer.
Watch for: Tacky edges on roll labels. If the edges feel sticky or uneven, that’s a red flag. Run your fingers around the edge to check—if it’s not smooth, you’ve got ooze.
Lifting and curling
Excessive heat can cause labels to lift or curl away from the liner. Once that adhesive’s no longer touching the backing, it can dry out—and dry adhesive doesn’t stick.
Spot check: You’ll usually see the curling. You can also gently feel across the sheet or roll to catch less visible lifting.
Ink fading
Heat doesn’t just mess with adhesives—it can also fade your label’s ink. The impact depends on your ink and materials, but once heat starts breaking those ink bonds, your labels can end up looking washed out. Not exactly the brand image you’re going for.
Look for: Spots or patches where the ink looks dull or uneven instead of an all-over fade.
Humidity effects on labels
Humidity can cause some of the same headaches as heat—and even more when they team up.
Ideal humidity: Around 50%
Ink distortion
High humidity can warp ink, especially if your labels don’t have a protective finish. Without that barrier, moisture in the air can distort or fade the ink.
Tip: Visually inspect your labels up close. Spot fading is common in humid environments, especially on unfinished labels.
Lifting and curling
Humidity can also mess with your adhesives and materials. It’s especially tricky when it combines with heat. But even on its own, humidity can cause labels to lift from the liner and curl before you’ve had a chance to print or apply them.
What to do: Visually inspect your labels before use. In some cases, you can also feel for changes, though that’s not always practical.
Adhesive failure
Humidity can cause complete adhesive failure, especially if your labels aren’t properly stored or protected. Too much moisture in the air can break down the adhesive’s bond.
Simple test: Apply a label to a surface similar to your product. If it holds for 12+ hours, you’re good. If not, time to reevaluate storage or order fresh labels.
Proper label storage to prevent issues
A few smart storage practices can go a long way toward keeping your labels in great shape year-round.
Let them acclimate
Allow your labels 24 to 48 hours to acclimate to the space where they’ll be applied. A little patience goes a long way here—sudden temperature or humidity shifts can cause big problems. Even museums follow strict acclimatization guidelines for materials, and they’re not sticking labels on jars!
If you’re getting labels delivered just-in-time, give them a day or two (24–48 hours) to acclimate to your facility before printing or applying. This helps them adjust to your environment and perform better.
Climate control counts
Labels should be stored in areas with consistent, moderate climate control. If your whole facility isn’t temperature controlled, keep labels in a room that is—or at least in the most stable part of the building.
Store low
Since heat rises, avoid high shelves. Temps can be 10–20°F warmer up top, which can mess with your adhesive. And definitely don’t stack heavy items on your labels.
Keep them out of the sun
Always keep labels inside and out of direct sunlight. UV rays can fade your ink and weaken adhesive over time. If you’re curious how strong the sun’s rays can actually get, the EPA’s UV Index Scale is a handy tool that breaks it down.
Use containers or bags
For extra protection, consider storing your labels in bins or bags. This helps buffer against temperature swings and moisture—especially helpful for short-term storage or shipping.
Final thoughts
In conclusion, knowing how heat and humidity affect labels is key to maintaining their quality and ensuring your products look their best. By recognizing the signs of damage and following smart storage practices, you can avoid costly mistakes and keep your business presentation sharp and professional.
At Avery, we get how important your labels are to your brand—and we’re here to help you every step of the way. Whether you need tips on storage, advice on materials, or just have questions about keeping your labels looking sharp despite heat and humidity, our team has your back. Reach out anytime—we’ve got you covered. Call our California-based team at (800) 942-8379.
