Outdoor Equipment Labels Fading in Three Months

I received feedback from a customer who specializes in security equipment, stating that the labels on the casing of the access control devices they installed in residential areas had faded after just one summer. The red characters turned pink, the black characters turned gray, and some were even illegible. The devices themselves come with a three-year warranty, but the labels couldn't even last through one summer. The maintenance records and safety tips were all smudged, leading to significant complaints from the property management.

This issue appears to be a label quality issue, but upon deeper investigation, it is actually due to the incorrect selection of weather resistance. Many purchasers, when placing label orders, only focus on size, content, and quantity, without specifically mentioning "this item will be placed outdoors." If the supplier does not inquire about the usage environment, they will produce the label according to the usual specifications, resulting in the use of copperplate paper with regular ink, which cannot withstand ultraviolet radiation.

Fading is primarily an issue with ink. When ultraviolet (UV) light strikes the ink, the pigment molecules are destroyed, and over time, the color fades. Regular ink can last for several years in an indoor environment, but when exposed to direct sunlight outdoors, it begins to discolor after two to three months. For outdoor labels, the ink must be replaced with sun-resistant ink, known in the industry as UV ink or weather-resistant ink, which has an order of magnitude better UV resistance. In some scenarios where higher requirements are needed, a UV-blocking laminate is added to the printed surface, essentially providing the label with a sun hat.

Merely addressing fading is insufficient. Outdoor labels must also withstand rain and temperature fluctuations. Regular paper materials wrinkle and soften when absorbing water, leaving labels crumpled during the rainy season. Due to significant temperature variations between day and night, the adhesive layer undergoes repeated thermal expansion and contraction, leading to decreased adhesion, label warping, and even detachment. Therefore, the surface material of outdoor labels typically opts for waterproof materials such as synthetic paper or PET film, and the adhesive must be resistant to high and low temperatures, avoiding softening in hot weather and becoming brittle in cold weather.

A detail that is easily overlooked is where the label is affixed. In the same outdoor environment, the temperature can vary significantly between a metal casing and a plastic casing. Metals absorb heat quickly, and in the summer sun, their surface temperature can reach 60 to 70 degrees Celsius. If the adhesive cannot withstand such temperatures, it will soften and penetrate, and although the label appears to be still on top, it has actually shifted. Plastic casings are better, but low surface energy plastics such as PP are inherently difficult to adhere to. Coupled with outdoor conditions, the requirements for adhesive are even higher.

When the purchaser places an outdoor label order, how should they articulate their requirements? Simply clarify the following points: the surface material on which the label will be affixed, the region where the equipment will be installed (as high temperatures and humidity in the south, and severe cold in the north, have different requirements for labels), whether there will be direct sunlight exposure, and the expected lifespan. A reliable supplier, upon receiving this information, can assist you in determining the combination of face material, adhesive, and ink. The concern is that if the purchaser does not communicate these details and the supplier does not inquire, issues with the label may arise, leading to disputes between both parties.

We at Xuzhou Huaishi Electronic Technology have received numerous label orders for outdoor equipment, covering scenarios such as security, power, and communication base stations. Issues like fading, label peeling, and edge warping can be avoided during the material selection stage. If your product is intended for outdoor use, please inform me of the equipment's shell material and installation environment, and I will assist you in devising a durable solution.