Method of making a label sheet

Abstract

A label sheet label sheet includes a transparent film support material, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, a release layer, a printable layer, one or more first detachment lines, and one or more second detachment lines. The transparent film support material has an inner surface and an outer surface. The pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is disposed over the transparent film support material inner surface. The release layer is disposed over the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. The printable layer is disposed over the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, and includes an inner surface facing the release layer and an opposing outer surface. The outer surface exhibits a roughness of 4 to 50 μm (DIN 4768). The one or more first detachment lines extend from the printable layer outer surface and through the printable layer and the release layer, to thereby form a first sub-region. The one or more second detachment lines extend from the support material outer surface and through the support material and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, to thereby form a second sub-region that is larger than the first sub-region.

1. A method of making a label, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a label sheet comprising:
 a transparent film support material having an inner surface and an outer surface, 
 a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer disposed over the transparent film support material inner surface, 
 a release layer disposed over the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, 
 a printable layer disposed over the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, the printable layer having an inner surface facing the release layer and an opposing outer surface, the outer surface exhibiting a roughness of 4 μm to 50 μm (DIN 4768), 
 one or more first detachment lines extending from the printable layer outer surface and through the printable layer and the release layer, to thereby form a first sub-region, and 
 one or more second detachment lines extending from the transparent film support material outer surface and through the transparent film support material and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, to thereby form a second sub-region that is larger than the first sub-region; 
 
 separating the first sub-region from the label sheet; 
 coupling the separated first sub-region to the second sub-region, such that the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is disposed over the printable layer outer surface; and 
 separating the coupled first and second sub-regions from the label sheet wherein: 
 the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer defining a first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer; 
 the label sheet further comprises: 
 a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film disposed between the release layer and the printable layer, and 
 a second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer disposed between the PET film and the printable layer; 
 the one or more first detachment lines extends from the printable layer outer surface and through the printable layer, the second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, the PET film, and the release layer, to thereby form the first sub-region; and 
 the coupling step includes coupling the separated first sub-region to the second sub-region, such that the first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is disposed over the printable layer's outer surface. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the label sheet includes one or more edges; and 
 the one or more second lines of detachment are defined by the one or more edges of the label sheet. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein one or both of the transparent film support material or the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer comprise a light-absorbing component. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the printable layer outer surface exhibits a roughness of 10 μm to 25 μm. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is disposed in a pattern form that defines adhesive-free channels. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the label sheet includes one or more edges; and 
 the adhesive-free channels extend to the one or more edges. 
 
     
     
       7. A method of making a label sheet, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a sheet comprising:
 a printable layer having a first surface and a second surface, 
 a release layer disposed on the printable layer's first surface, 
 a transparent film, and 
 a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer disposed on the transparent film, the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer releasably adhering the transparent film to the release layer; 
 
 forming at least one first detachment line through the printable layer and the release layer to define a first partial area that includes a portion of the printable layer; and 
 forming at least one second detachment line through the transparent film and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer to define a second partial area that includes a portion of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer; 
 wherein:
 the second partial area is larger than the first partial area, 
 the first partial area is configured to be separated from the label sheet and affixed to the second partial area, with the portion of the printable layer of the first partial area directly adjoining the portion of the pressure-sensitive layer of the second partial area, and 
 at least one of the printable layer and the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is configured to facilitate the removal of unwanted air pockets from the affixed first partial area and the second partial area wherein: 
 
 the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer defines a first pressure-sensitive adhesive layer; the sheet further comprises: 
 a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) film between the printable layer and the release layer, and 
 a second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer between the PET film and the printable layer; and 
 the step of forming the at least one first detachment line results in the at least one first detachment line extending through the printable layer, the second pressure-sensitive adhesive layer, the PET film, and the release layer, and the at least one first detachment line defines a first partial area that includes a portion of the printable layer. 
 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is in the shape of a pattern. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 7 , wherein the second surface of the printable layer exhibits a roughness of 4 μm to 50 μm (DIN 4768). 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 7 , wherein:
 the label sheet includes edges; and 
 the at least one second detachment line corresponds to an edge of the label sheet.