What is meant by ‘labelling curved surfaces’?

‘Labelling curved surfaces’, also known as ‘curved surface labelling’, refers to the process of applying labels to round or highly curved surfaces with a small diameter. Typical examples include test tubes, ampoules, pens, tins and barrels. Because the label has to conform closely to a small radius in these cases, a particularly flexible material and an adhesive with high initial and final tack are

At what diameter does cylindrical labelling become challenging?

The smaller the diameter and the tighter the radius, the higher the demands on the material and adhesive. Products with small radii, such as pens or ampoules, place extremely high demands on the pliability and flexibility of the label. We will work with you to select the most suitable material for your product.

How can labels be prevented from lifting on curved surfaces?

On tight radii, restorative forces act to lift a stiff or incorrectly applied label away from the surface at the edges. We prevent this lifting by combining a supple, flexible label material with a specially matched pressure-sensitive adhesive offering high tack. This ensures the label remains permanently flat and securely attached to the container.

What is the difference between circular labelling and wrap-around labels?

Circular labelling is the umbrella term for labelling round surfaces. Wrap-around labels are a specific type of this: labels wound round themselves, which offer a large area suitable for printing on both sides when used on very small cylindrical containers requiring a high volume of information. For standard applications on round surfaces, a classic single label is often sufficient; however, where space is limited and multilingual information is required, wrap-around labels are the ideal solution.

Curved surface labelling: flexible labels for test tubes, drums and small radii

Reliable adhesion even on sharply curved and difficult surfaces

Pliable, with secure adhesion

Curved surfaces and small radii place the highest demands on the label and the adhesive. For labelling round curved surfaces, a particularly flexible label material is required that conforms closely to the curve, along with a pressure-sensitive adhesive that reliably prevents the label from lifting. Such requirements are found in many industries: in the chemical sector on cans, buckets and drums; in laboratories on test tubes and sample tubes; in the cosmetics industry on sticks and small containers; and in the pharmaceutical industry, where pharmaceutical labels must adhere securely to ampoules, vials and syringes.

Particularly flexible label materials and adhesives with excellent adhesion properties on a variety of surfaces: this is what HERMA’s extensive range offers you. This also includes materials with high resistance to chemicals, moisture, oil and grease, which make all the difference, particularly when labelling the sides of challenging containers.

Labelling from a single source. For reliable processing.

Thanks to our wide expertise in the fields of adhesive materials, labels and labelling machines, we can find the right solution for your requirements. We manufacture your labels from the appropriate material exclusively in Germany, using an adhesive tailored to the specific application, and to HERMA’s consistently high standards.

What can we do for you?

Use our contact form to describe your application. We’ll be glad to provide advice.

The requirements for circular labelling are diverse and demanding

The tighter the radius and the more complex the container, the more the label has to deliver at the same time. A durable, secure wrap-around bond depends on this interplay between the material and the adhesive:

High pliability and flexibility for labelling items with small radii
Secure adhesion, even on difficult surfaces and heavily curved surfaces
Resistance to moisture, oil and grease
Resistance to solvents and disinfectants
Suitability for pasteurisation and centrifugation
Suitability for frozen storage

Whether it’s test tube labels for laboratory use or drum labels for containers in the chemical industry: HERMA produces the right material for every type of cylindrical labelling.

Discover practical solutions with HERMA labels for wrap-around labelling

Wrap-around labels are often used to identify round products and packages that have small diameters or curved surfaces. Highly flexible label materials with real adhesive strength are needed for tasks like this. Discover some practical uses here. Our ‘Solutions’ section has many more examples of label usage for a wide range of industries and requirements.

Laser-activated labels for small colour bottles:
Labels with variable data for a wide variety of products

Labelling of cosmetic pencils with barcodes and article data

Variable marking of vaccine labels with UV laser

CLP labelling: Wrap-around labels for chemical products

Laser-activatable labels in a round adhesive format on small colored bottles.

Two yellow chemistry bottles with wrap-around labels for hazardous material identification and a roll of HERMA wrap-around labels.

Innovative solution for round labelling: wrap-around labels

Self-winding labels are a particularly elegant solution for wrapping small cylindrical containers. The flexible film material conforms closely to tight radii and adheres securely even on small diameters. As they can be printed on both sides, these labels offer plenty of space – even for multiple languages – and can be overprinted with variable data on the outer surface during machine application. They open easily via the integrated pull tab, whilst the pressure-sensitive adhesive ensures the layers unroll cleanly. This design is therefore suitable for many circular labels requiring a high volume of information on small cylindrical containers: from chemical products subject to the CLP Regulation, through to pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, and right through to household products.

Discover the advantages of wrap-around labels for chemical products

Two yellow bottles with hazard symbols and a roll label on a table. The bottles likely contain chemical substances.

Do you want to find out more about wrap-around labelling?

Wrap-around labelling is used for identification of products and packages that are round with small diameters or have curved surfaces. The labels often show prices or barcodes. When the surface is highly curved, the labels must be very pliable and adhere well so that they never curl up from the surface. Some examples of applications for wrap-around labelling:

Products from the stationery and consumer goods industries, such as all kinds of writing instruments, glue sticks, cosmetic products such as mascara and kajal pencils, and cables
Cleaning products, care products and products in the food and beverage industries
Chemicals industry: paints, varnishes and granulate packaged in cans or buckets; hazardous substances in barrels made of PE or metal
In the pharmaceutical industry, with pharmaceutical labels for ampoules, vials, syringes, pre-filled syringes (e.g. for vaccines) and medicine vials
Products for laboratory use or hospital administration, such as test tubes, blood and urine samples
Transparent film labels for a no-label effect on glass and plastic

Use our contact form to give a brief description of your requirements and wishes. We’ll help you find the right solution for your application.

Frequently asked questions about labelling curved surfaces

What is meant by ‘labelling curved surfaces’?

‘Labelling curved surfaces’, also known as ‘curved surface labelling’, refers to the process of applying labels to round or highly curved surfaces with a small diameter. Typical examples include test tubes, ampoules, pens, tins and barrels. Because the label has to conform closely to a small radius in these cases, a particularly flexible material and an adhesive with high initial and final tack are crucial.
At what diameter does cylindrical labelling become challenging?

The smaller the diameter and the tighter the radius, the higher the demands on the material and adhesive. Products with small radii, such as pens or ampoules, place extremely high demands on the pliability and flexibility of the label. We will work with you to select the most suitable material for your product.

How can labels be prevented from lifting on curved surfaces?

On tight radii, restorative forces act to lift a stiff or incorrectly applied label away from the surface at the edges. We prevent this lifting by combining a supple, flexible label material with a specially matched pressure-sensitive adhesive offering high tack. This ensures the label remains permanently flat and securely attached to the container.
What is the difference between circular labelling and wrap-around labels?

Circular labelling is the umbrella term for labelling round surfaces. Wrap-around labels are a specific type of this: labels wound round themselves, which offer a large area suitable for printing on both sides when used on very small cylindrical containers requiring a high volume of information. For standard applications on round surfaces, a classic single label is often sufficient; however, where space is limited and multilingual information is required, wrap-around labels are the ideal solution.

Please use this contact form for inquiries about industrial requirements.

If you have any questions about HERMA branded products in smaller packaging units, we look forward to your inquiry using the contact form "Office and Home".