Editing Label (section)

==Stock types==
Label "stock" is the carrier which is commonly [[coated]] on one side with adhesive and printed on the other, and can be:
*'''Paper''' - a variety of papers and [[paperboard]]s can be used as labels
*'''[[Nonwoven fabric]]''' - for extra durability
*'''Latex''' – a lithographic stock with some added [[latex]] allows the label to be much more flexible and form around certain curved objects more easily than standard paper;
[[File:ASUS IIIIIII.jpg|thumb|right|275px|Labels on a laptop.]]
*'''[[Plastic]]s''' such as [[Cellulose acetate|acetate]], [[Polyvinyl chloride|vinyl]], and [[PET film (biaxially oriented)|PET film]] allow a variety of features, such as greater [[Strength of materials|strength]], [[stiffness]], [[transparency (optics)|transparency]] and resistance to tearing. They typically require special equipment and printing methods ([[ultra-violet]] curing is common) as they do not normally print well with conventional ink.  A [[bumper sticker]] is usually a vinyl label with a very strong, durable adhesive and lightfast inks.  [[Embossing tape]] is "printed" by pressing raised elements similar to [[Sort (typesetting)|printing type]] onto it, which produces raised glyphs that look white due to the discoloration of the plastic. A type known as 'destructible vinyl' is commonly used for asset labels. It combines a very thin frangible face stock with a very strong high tack adhesive, thus making the label impossible to remove without damaging it. Engraved multi-layer [[Traffolyte]] labels are frequently used in industrial situations due to their durability;
*'''Foil''' – [[Aluminum foil]] and vapor-coated [[plastic film]]s are often chosen for the bright reflective characteristics;
*'''Thermal''' – direct thermal label stock will change [[color]] (usually black) when heated. A heating element in the shape of letters or images can be used to create an image on the label. Custom labels can be easily made on location in this way. A disadvantage is durability, because another heat source can ruin or obscure the image, or it may fade completely over time;
*'''Thermal transfer''' for applications that cannot use thermal (thermal direct) label material because of heat source proximity or short label life, a more widely used material is the thermal transfer [[label printer]]. This material has the advantage of a much longer readable life and does not fade with time or heat. Most major manufacturers of thermal printers can be used for either thermal transfer (TT) or thermal (DT) labels. A thermal transfer ribbon will be required to print the labels. The cost of the ribbons + TT labels is similar to that of the DT labels on their own;
*'''Thermal transfer ribbon types''':
** Wax is the most popular as it has some smudge resistance, and is suitable for matte and semi-gloss paper labels;
** Wax and resin are smudge resistant, suitable for semi-gloss paper and some synthetic labels;
** Resin is scratch and chemical-resistant, suitable for coated synthetic labels;
*'''None''' – labels can be printed directly on adhesive without using a [[Substrate (printing)|substrate]]. Labels made in this manner are extremely fragile, however, and have been rendered virtually obsolete by other printing methods such as [[screen-printing|silk screen]];

The stock type will affect the types of ink that will print well on them. Corona-treating or flame-treating some plastics makes them more receptive to inks, coatings, and other substrates by reducing surface tension and improving the overall adhesion of the plastics.

An alternative method of labelling is weaving the text directly into the fabric.

{{See also|Printing}}