Labels That Last: How to Choose the Right Materials for Heat, Humidity & Sunlight

By Al the Label Guy

Let’s face it, summer’s great for beaches and BBQs, but it’s brutal on packaging. Heat, humidity, UV rays, sweaty hands, yuck! Not exactly gentle conditions. If your product is made for the season, its label has to be, too.

Think about where your product will live this summer: a cold beverage pulled from an ice chest, a bottle of sunscreen making the rounds, or a jar of relish sweating on a picnic table. If your label can’t hold up to all that, you’re not just risking shelf appeal—you’re risking your brand.

That’s where we come in. At Gamse, we help brands pick the right materials, adhesives, and finishes to make sure their labels look good and last long, no matter how hot things get.

So, if you have great products that summer just wouldn’t be summer without, let’s make sure they’re ready to perform! Here’s what we keep in mind when helping clients prep for peak summer conditions.

Adhesives That Stick (No Matter What)

When the sun’s out and everything gets slick, your label’s first line of defense is its adhesive. Cheap or mismatched adhesives will start peeling faster than a sunburn.

That’s why we help brands choose the right adhesive for their container, storage temperature, and how the product’s used. Is it going in a cooler? Getting sprayed with water? Living on a pool deck? We’ve got adhesive solutions built for all that and more.

Because if your label can’t stay in place, it doesn’t matter how pretty it looked when you applied it.

Smart Material Choices = Less Drama Later

Your label’s material plays a big role in how it holds up through heat and moisture. Some materials soak, wrinkle, or fade in the sun. Others keep things tight, crisp, and professional no matter how many times someone grabs the bottle with sunscreen-covered hands.

We work with you to match the right substrate to your packaging and your product’s real-world environment. The goal? A label that doesn’t just look great—it stays that way.

Finishes and Inks That Go the Distance

Sunlight is no joke, and neither are fading labels. Not all inks are created equal. We recommend UV-resistant inks and finishes that are built to last through display, storage, and use. Want a high-gloss shine or that soft matte feel? We’ll make sure it looks premium—and stays that way after hours in the sun.

Built for Summer, Backed by Experience

In Gamse’s 125+ years of experience, if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that durability and performance aren’t optional. Whether you’re labeling cold drinks, spicy condiments, poolside must-haves, or sunscreen for the whole family, we help you print packaging that lasts from shelf to splash zone.

Let’s make sure your labels are ready for the season. Get started with Gamse today!