Label specification terms, defined

Eight terms decide whether a datasheet means what you think it means. Each is defined in one sentence, with the unit it is quoted in, the method behind the number, and the misreading that causes the most wrong decisions.

Last updated: 2026-11-04

At a glance
Term	Unit	Test method
Initial tack	newton (N); a ball number is also used as shorthand on some datasheets	GB/T 4852 (rolling ball) or FINAT FTM 9 (loop tack) — different methods, so the numbers are not comparable
90° peel	N/25 mm (occasionally N/inch)	GB/T 2792 or FINAT FTM 2: 300 mm/min at 90°, 23 ± 2 °C / 50 ± 5 % RH, after 20 min or 24 h dwell
Shear (holding power)	hours to failure under a standard load and area	GB/T 4851 or FINAT FTM 8: a defined area loaded in shear at 23 ± 2 °C, time to slip recorded
Release force	mN/25 mm or g/25 mm	FINAT FTM 3 (low speed, 0.3 m/min) and FTM 4 (high speed, 10 m/min), peeled at 180°
Minimum application temperature	°C	No ISO method: apply at the stated temperature, dwell 24 h at 23 °C, then peel — industry practice, so treat limits as approximate
Service temperature	°C	After 24 h dwell at 23 °C, expose to the stated temperature (e.g. 70 °C for 24 h), then re-test peel or shear
Grammage	g/m²	ISO 536 (paper and board) / GB/T 451.2
Caliper	μm	ISO 534 / GB/T 451.3, measured under a defined pressure

Initial tack初粘力

The force needed to separate a label from a standard surface immediately after brief, light contact, before the adhesive has fully wet out.

Unit: newton (N); a ball number is also used as shorthand on some datasheets
Test method: GB/T 4852 (rolling ball) or FINAT FTM 9 (loop tack) — different methods, so the numbers are not comparable
Common misreading: That high tack means strong adhesion. Tack describes first contact only; a soft, high-tack adhesive often fails earlier in shear.

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90° peel90° 剥离力

The force per unit width needed to pull a label off a standard plate at 90°, at fixed speed, after a set dwell.

Unit: N/25 mm (occasionally N/inch)
Test method: GB/T 2792 or FINAT FTM 2: 300 mm/min at 90°, 23 ± 2 °C / 50 ± 5 % RH, after 20 min or 24 h dwell
Common misreading: That the highest value wins. High peel makes clean removal harder, can tear the face, and is wasted where the label is never taken off.

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Shear (holding power)剪切强度（持粘）

The resistance of a bonded label to a steady load pulling along the surface — measured as the time the bond survives before sliding.

Unit: hours to failure under a standard load and area
Test method: GB/T 4851 or FINAT FTM 8: a defined area loaded in shear at 23 ± 2 °C, time to slip recorded
Common misreading: That tack, peel and shear rise together. They trade off — a soft, high-tack adhesive flows and fails in shear sooner.

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Release force离型力

The force needed to pull a liner away from the adhesive at a stated speed and angle, deciding whether a web runs cleanly.

Unit: mN/25 mm or g/25 mm
Test method: FINAT FTM 3 (low speed, 0.3 m/min) and FTM 4 (high speed, 10 m/min), peeled at 180°
Common misreading: That lower release is always better. Too low and the liner lifts, wrinkles, or the web breaks at high line speed.

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Minimum application temperature最低贴标温度

The lowest surface temperature at which the adhesive still wets out enough to bond; below it, tack collapses and edges lift.

Unit: °C
Test method: No ISO method: apply at the stated temperature, dwell 24 h at 23 °C, then peel — industry practice, so treat limits as approximate
Common misreading: Confusing it with service temperature. A label applied below its minimum never bonds, however well it survives heat afterwards.

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Service temperature服役温度（使用温度）

The temperature range a correctly applied label tolerates in use without lifting, shrinking or oozing, measured after full wet-out.

Unit: °C
Test method: After 24 h dwell at 23 °C, expose to the stated temperature (e.g. 70 °C for 24 h), then re-test peel or shear
Common misreading: Assuming a label can be applied at its service temperature. Bonding and surviving are two separate limits.

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Grammage克重

Mass per unit area of a face stock, adhesive or liner, expressed in grams per square metre and measured on the dry sheet.

Unit: g/m²
Test method: ISO 536 (paper and board) / GB/T 451.2
Common misreading: That more grammage means more thickness. Density differs — 80 g/m² coated and 80 g/m² woodfree have different calipers.

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Caliper厚度（caliper）

Thickness of a single sheet measured under a specified pressure, expressed in micrometres; the input to stiffness, die-cutting and roll diameter.

Unit: μm
Test method: ISO 534 / GB/T 451.3, measured under a defined pressure
Common misreading: That caliper alone sets stiffness. Stiffness rises roughly with the cube of caliper, and also with the material's modulus.

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Values quoted on this site follow these methods and are verified at 23 ± 2 °C / 50 ± 5 % RH unless stated otherwise. Where a datasheet quotes a number without its method, the number is not comparable with anything.

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