PRESSURE SENSITIVE LABEL

Abstract

A pressure-sensitive label and a method for preparing it, the pressure-sensitive label 10 comprising: (a) a backing portion 12, said backing portion 12 including at least one carrier layer 14; and (b) a transfer portion 18 on said backing portion 12 for transferring the transfer portion 18 from the backing portion 12 to an article 26 by applying pressure to the transfer portion 18 while the transfer portion 18 is in contact with the article 26, said transfer portion 18 including at least one pattern adhesive layer 24 in confrontation relation to a surface of the carrier layer 14, wherein the pattern adhesive layer 24 confronts less than substantially the entire surface of the carrier layer 14.

Description

PRESSURE SENSITIVE LABEL CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a PCT of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application serial no. 16 / 871,694, entitled Pressure-Sensitive Label, filed May 11, 2020, which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application no. serial no. 16 / 269,943, entitled Pressure-Sensitive Label, filed on February 7, 2019 (now U.S. patent application No. 10,650,706, issued on May 12, 2020), which is a continuation of U.S. patent application serial no. 15 / 094,443, entitled Pressure-Sensitive Label, filed on April 8, 2016 (now U.S. patent No. 10,325,528, issued on June 18, 2019), which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application serial no. 14 / 724,021, entitled Pressure-Sensitive Label, filed on May 28, 2015 (and published on December 1, 2016, as U.S. patent application publication No.2016 / 0351082), the descriptions of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates generally to labels for various items, and more specifically to pressure-sensitive labels for items such as containers. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This section is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the art that may relate to several aspects of the present invention, which are described and / or claimed below. It is believed that this discussion will be helpful in providing the reader with background information to facilitate a better understanding of various aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, these statements should be understood to be read in light of this and as acknowledgments of prior art. Pressure-sensitive labels are multi-layered constructions that include a pressure-sensitive adhesive. They are used to label items by applying pressure to the label when it comes into contact with the item, thus adhering the label to the item via the pressure-sensitive adhesive. These pressure-sensitive labels are popular because, among other features, they are versatile and allow for a high level of printability with bright colors printed on surfaces. Furthermore, they can be printed on a wide range of materials such as paper, aluminum, metal, plastic, and other synthetic materials. They are also compatible with a wide range of finishing processes, including (but not limited to) perforation, embossing, and hot stamping. With reference to Figure 1, a typical prior art pressure-sensitive label 1 is shown. When labeling an article with a pressure-sensitive label, a pressure-sensitive label base material 2 is generally purchased from a separate supplier. The pressure-sensitive label base material 2 typically includes at least four laminated layers: (1) a carrier 3 (sometimes referred to as a liner), (2) a release layer 4 disposed on a surface of the carrier, (3) an adhesive layer 5 (including a pressure-sensitive adhesive) disposed on the release layer, and (4) a face material 6 disposed on the adhesive layer. Thus, the typical base material for pressure-sensitive labels 2 can be thought of as having a support portion 7 (carrier 3 and release layer 4) and a transfer portion 8 (adhesive 5 and face material 6). The release layer 4 is used to allow the portion to be transferred to an item to be peeled and released from the carrier 3 during label application. The face material 6 is typically made of a web or sheet of paper, film, or foil, and is applied or laminated onto the adhesive layer 5 sequentially at some point after the adhesive layer 5 has been applied. Once the pressure-sensitive label base material 2 is purchased from a supplier, the face material 6 can then be printed with one or more ink layers (text, graphics, instructions, etc.) to create the label decoration and information.The conventional pressure-sensitive label construction is then applied to the surface of an item by removing the carrier 3 and release layer 4 to expose the adhesive layer 5 and placing the adhesive layer 5 in contact with the desired surface and applying pressure, to transfer the adhesive 5, the face material 6, and the ink layer 9 to the item (the ink layer as described herein may include more than one ink to create the appearance of the label decoration and information). Although these pressure-sensitive labels are well-known, there are several drawbacks to using the pressure-sensitive labels described above. As previously described, the base material for initial pressure-sensitive labels (carrier, release layer, adhesive layer, and face material) is typically supplied by a third party, with the label design (i.e., ink graphics, text, instructions, etc.) to be added later. This prevents the entire label (e.g., carrier, release layer, adhesive layer, face material, and ink layer) from being manufactured in one location and / or time. Therefore, these pressure-sensitive labels require a multi-location, multi-step process for production, thus increasing the time required to manufacture a finished pressure-sensitive label.(When reference is made herein to the construction of a label, or similar things, the intention is to refer to both the construction of an individual label and / or the construction of a network of multiple individual labels.) Furthermore, the supplier of the pressure-sensitive label base material does not know in advance the size, shape, contour, etc., of the ink layer indications that will be printed on the base material to create the final label web (the label web being a length of pressure-sensitive label base material with multiple individual labels printed with ink / indications along its length). Thus, the pressure-sensitive label base material is created with an adhesive flood coating and a face material that is spliced, or generally spliced, close to the carrier area (to accommodate any size, shape, contour, etc., of the ink layer(s) that may be printed, and any size, shape, and / or contour of the label(s).Because of this, after the ink design is printed, the label web must be die-cut to produce the final web (carrier / release layer with individually cut labels). This process requires the carrier to be made of a strong material—such as polyester—so that it can withstand the die-cutting process without being cut (and only the ink layer, face material, adhesive, and release layer are cut). The die, which does not include labels, is then removed and discarded. The use of a strong carrier material (e.g., polyester) presents the problem that the carrier cannot be recycled, as the material cannot be placed in the recycling stream for label web materials. Although the carrier is typically polyester, this does not preclude the use of other carrier materials (such as paper lining, glassine, polypropylene, or blends of these materials). Furthermore, because the base material for pressure-sensitive labels needs to be supplied by a third party, with the ink layer being printed afterward, the layers of the final label must be arranged so that the adhesive is close to the carrier (e.g., adjacent to the release layer) with the ink positioned distal to the carrier. This configuration results in additional drawbacks for prior-art pressure-sensitive labels. First, the fact that the adhesive is close to the carrier necessitates a release layer or coating between the carrier and the adhesive to allow the adhesive, face material, and ink layer to be released from the carrier during application to an item. The need for this layer adds material, and therefore cost, to these conventional pressure-sensitive labels.Secondly, positioning the ink layer distal to the carrier means that the ink layer will be the outer surface of the label once applied to an item. This means the ink layer can be easily scratched or damaged, affecting the item's appearance. It also means that metallic materials cannot be used as inks in these conventional pressure-sensitive labels (due to their susceptibility to damage). Therefore, the inks that can be used on these labels are limited, and the designs are susceptible to damage. A protective layer could be added to the label (on the outside of the ink layer), but, like the release layer described earlier, this adds yet another layer—and cost—to the label. Furthermore, when the label is to be adhered to a contoured or irregular surface, and when a high degree of flexibility is desired, the rigidity of the front material (and any rigidity due to multiple layers of the label) can interfere with the application and adhesion of the label. Additionally, a common occurrence when applying pressure-sensitive labels is the presence of various defects, such as wrinkles and blisters. These defects occur when the label is misaligned with the item to which it is applied, and / or when air is trapped between the label and the item. The result is a less than optimal visual appearance (poor aesthetics), label failure due to scraping or tearing of the unsupported label, or even unsellable products. Given the many drawbacks of pressure-sensitive labels, as described earlier (particularly the multiple layers required, the use of a third-party backing, and the potential damage to the label information), many have turned to heat-transfer labels as an alternative. Heat-transfer labels are conveniently resistant to abrasion and chemical effects, preventing loss of label information, and ideally possess good adhesion characteristics to the items to which they are affixed. Heat transfer labels are multi-layered constructions, with each layer serving a specific function. For example, heat transfer labels typically include an adhesive layer, an ink layer, and a release layer. The release layer can be a wax release layer and is often directly adjacent to a carrier sheet, as in a label roll or web. Thus, in this example, the label can be described as including a backing portion (e.g., a carrier sheet and a release layer) and a transfer portion (i.e., the ink layer and the adhesive layer). When subjected to heat, the wax release layer melts, allowing the transfer portion to separate from the carrier sheet, and the adhesive layer adheres the ink layer to the item being labeled.Alternatively, all or part of the wax release layer can also be transferred to provide protection to the ink layer. Additionally, or alternatively, the labels may include a separate protective layer overlaid on the ink layer to protect it from abrasion. More specifically, in the heat transfer labeling process, the label carrier sheet is heated, and the label is pressed onto an item with the ink layer in direct contact with the item. When the paper sheet is heated, the wax layer begins to melt, allowing the paper sheet to be released from the ink layer. (And, as described earlier, a portion of the wax layer may be transferred with the ink layer, and a portion of the wax layer may remain with the paper sheet.) After the ink layer is transferred to the item, the paper sheet is removed, leaving the ink layer firmly bonded to the item.In an alternative method, where the wax layer is also transferred, the wax layer can serve two purposes: (1) to facilitate the release of the ink layer from the sheet upon application of heat, and (2) to form a protective layer over the transferred ink layer. After transferring the label to the item, the transferred wax release layer can be subjected to a post-flaming technique that enhances the optical clarity of the layer (thus making it possible to better observe the underlying ink layer) and improves the protective properties of the transferred wax layer. However, the main drawback to using heat transfer labels is the requirement for heat to be applied during the labeling process, which could be undesirable. Therefore, it is desirable that the pressure-sensitive label construction be designed to be used as a label itself, for example, eliminating the need for a conventional face material made of paper, film, or foil. It is also desirable that the pressure-sensitive label construction have printability, convertibility, and dispensability properties that are better than or equal to those of prior art pressure-sensitive label constructions (as described above).It is also desirable that such a pressure-sensitive label construction be designed in a way that reduces the amount of manufacturing time required to complete it, compared to a prior art pressure-sensitive construction. Furthermore, it would be desirable to reduce and / or eliminate wrinkles and / or blisters that may form during label application. Additionally, it would be desirable for such a pressure-sensitive label construction to have fewer layers, thereby reducing cost, increasing recyclability, improving ease of application to an item to be labeled, and reducing the incidence or likelihood of damage to the ink layer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Certain illustrative aspects of the invention are described below. It should be understood that these aspects are presented merely to provide the reader with a brief overview of some of the forms the invention may take and are not intended to limit its scope. In fact, the invention may encompass a variety of aspects that may not be explicitly discussed herein. Several aspects of the present invention address any and / or all of the drawbacks described above with prior art pressure-sensitive labels, providing pressure-sensitive labels that, among other features, have reduced layers, reduced cost, increased recyclability, increased ease of application to an item to be labeled, and a reduced incidence or probability of damage to an ink layer (compared to prior art pressure-sensitive labels, as described in the Background of the Invention). To achieve this, one aspect of the present invention provides a pressure-sensitive label comprising: (a) a backing portion including at least one carrier layer; and (b) a transfer portion including at least one printable layer in contact with the carrier layer.In general, the transfer portion can be superimposed on the backing portion to transfer the transfer portion from the backing portion to an article by applying pressure to the transfer portion while it is in contact with the article. In one aspect of the present invention, the carrier layer does not include any layer between the carrier layer and the printable layer. This eliminates a layer from prior art labels, thereby reducing the label cost. Furthermore, in another aspect of the present invention, the printable layer can be applied in a softened, molten, thixotropic, liquid, etc., form that allows it to be applied as a pattern (such as the shape, size, outline, etc., of a label image—i.e., graphics, text, instructions, etc.—to be produced) rather than being provided as a facing material that is spliced ​​(or substantially spliced) into the carrier layer area (as with prior art labels). The printable layer is a formulation that allows it to receive ink, followed by cooling, solidification, UV curing, etc.The ability to apply the printable layer in a pattern also reduces the amount of material needed for the label web (thus reducing cost), eliminates the need for die-cutting (and the waste of discarded die-cut material), and can be used to allow the entire label to be constructed in one location (as opposed to the need to acquire a pressure-sensitive label base material from a third-party supplier). In other respects, the label may include an ink layer positioned such that the printable layer is between the carrier layer and the ink layer. And, the label may include an adhesive layer positioned such that the ink layer is between the printable layer and the adhesive layer. Thanks to this configuration, the pressure-sensitive labels described herein have the printable layer closest to the carrier and the adhesive layer farthest from the carrier (which is somewhat the opposite configuration compared to pressure-sensitive labels of the prior art). Because of this configuration, the transfer portion (e.g., the printable layer, the ink layer, the adhesive layer) of the pressure-sensitive labels herein does not have to be peeled off the carrier to expose the adhesive for adhesion to an article.In contrast, labels are configured in such a way that the adhesive is already the outer layer of the label construction before application to an item, and in this way the adhesive is pre-exposed and ready to make contact with an item - thus increasing the ease of application to an item. The layer configuration of these labels, in this particular aspect and modality, also results in the ink being beneath the printable layer (and therefore protected by it) once the transfer portion is applied to an item. This protects the ink layer (the markings, graphics, design, text, information, etc.) from damage after the label is transferred. This protection is achieved without the need for an additional protective lacquer layer (as was sometimes the case with pressure-sensitive labels of the previous technology). The configuration that allows the printable layer to protect the ink layer after transfer also increases the range of materials that can be used in the ink layer—such as the ability to easily use potentially damaging materials like metallic inks. In another aspect, pressure-sensitive labels can also include a release layer positioned so that the carrier layer is between the printable layer and the release layer. In other words, the release layer is not on the carrier side adjacent to the transfer portion of the label, but rather on the underside or back side of the carrier. This release layer allows the label web to be wound onto a roll, for example, while preventing blocking (i.e., the problem of the adhesive on the labels sticking to the underside of the carrier when the label web is wound onto the roll). Another aspect of the present invention provides a pressure-sensitive label comprising: (a) a backing portion including at least one carrier layer; and (b) a transfer portion including at least one printable layer in contact with the carrier layer, and an ink layer may be present between the printable layer and the carrier layer. Depending on the nature of the ink layer, at least one or more portions of the printable layer may make contact with the carrier layer (i.e., in any area where the ink or inks of the ink layer are not present). In general, the transfer portion may be overlaid on the backing portion to transfer the transfer portion from the backing portion to an article by applying pressure to the transfer portion while it is in contact with the article.In one embodiment, the carrier layer does not include a release layer on the side facing the ink layer. This eliminates a layer from the labels of the prior art, thus reducing the label cost. In this configuration, the pressure-sensitive labels described herein include the ink layer closest to the carrier and the adhesive layer furthest from the carrier. Because of this configuration, the transfer portion (e.g., the ink layer, the printable layer, the adhesive layer) of the pressure-sensitive labels described herein does not have to be peeled away from the carrier to expose the adhesive for bonding to an article.In contrast, these labels are designed so that the adhesive is already the outer layer of the label construction before application to an item. This pre-exposed adhesive is ready to make contact with the item, thus increasing ease of application. Furthermore, this version of the label may also include a release layer positioned between the carrier layer and the release layer (to prevent clogging when the label web is wound onto a roll, for example). Another aspect of the present invention may include a method or methods for making a pressure-sensitive label. And another aspect of the present invention may include a method or methods for applying a pressure-sensitive label to an article. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a typical pressure-sensitive label construction of the prior art. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of one modality of a pressure-sensitive label construction according to the principles of the present invention. Figure 2A is a cross-sectional view of another modality of a pressure-sensitive label construction according to the principles of the present invention. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of another modality of a pressure-sensitive label construction according to the principles of the present invention. ci bQnn / Qznz / q / υιλι Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view of yet another modality of a pressure-sensitive label construction according to the principles of the present invention. Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of another modality of a pressure-sensitive label construction according to the principles of the present invention. Figure 4A is a cross-sectional view of yet another modality of a pressure-sensitive label construction according to the principles of the present invention. Figure 5 is a schematic showing the preparation of a pressure-sensitive label construction according to the principles of the present invention. Figure 6 is a schematic showing a pressure-sensitive label finished according to the principles of the present invention on a label roll. Figure 7 is a schematic showing the application of a pressure-sensitive label construction according to the principles of the present invention to an article. Figure 8 represents an article having a pressure-sensitive label in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of another modality of a pressure-sensitive label construction according to the principles of the present invention. Figure 10 is a schematic showing another modality of preparing a pressure-sensitive label construction according to the principles of the present invention. Figure 11 is a schematic showing another modality of preparing a pressure-sensitive label construction according to the principles of the present invention. Figure 12 is a schematic showing another modality of preparing a pressure-sensitive label construction according to the principles of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION One or more specific embodiments of the present invention will be described below. In an effort to provide a concise description of these embodiments, not all features of an actual implementation may be described in the specification. As will be appreciated, in the development of any such actual implementation, as well as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementation-specific decisions must be made to achieve the developers' specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which may vary from one implementation to another. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that such a development effort may be complex and time-consuming, but it could nonetheless be a routine design, manufacturing, and elaboration undertaking for those skilled in the art who benefit from this disclosure. As described above, several aspects of the present invention address the aforementioned drawbacks of prior art pressure-sensitive labels, providing pressure-sensitive labels that, among other features, have reduced layers, reduced cost, increased recyclability, increased ease of application to an item to be labeled, and a reduced incidence or probability of damage to an ink layer (compared to prior art pressure-sensitive labels, as described in the Background of the Invention). To achieve this, one aspect of the present invention provides a pressure-sensitive label comprising: (a) a backing portion including at least one carrier layer; and (b) a transfer portion including at least one printable layer in contact with the carrier layer.In general, the transfer portion can be superimposed on the backing portion to transfer the transfer portion from the backing portion to an article by applying pressure to the transfer portion while it is in contact with the article. In one aspect of the present invention, the carrier layer does not include any layer between the carrier layer and the printable layer. This eliminates a layer from prior art labels, thereby reducing the label cost. Now, with reference to Figure 2, one embodiment of such a pressure-sensitive label 10 is shown. As can be seen in Figure 2, the pressure-sensitive label 10 of the illustrated embodiment is a multi-layered construction, with each layer having its own function. Other embodiments also have a multi-layered construction. In general, the labels include a backing portion 12 (for example, a carrier layer 14) and a transfer portion 18 (for example, at least one printable layer 20—although various embodiments may also include an ink layer 22 and an adhesive layer 24, for example). When subjected to pressure, as will be described in more detail below, the transfer portion 18 can be separated from the carrier 14 for adhesion to an item.This occurs when label 10 is placed in a confrontational relationship with article 26 and pressure is applied, such that the transfer portion 18 makes direct contact with an outer surface 28 of article 26 (article 26 can be seen in Figures 7 and 8). After contact of the transfer portion 18 with article 26, the carrier sheet 14 is removed, leaving the transfer portion 18 affixed to article 26 via the adhesive layer 24 of the transfer portion 18. There may be different embodiments of the pressure-sensitive labels 10 according to aspects of the present invention. All embodiments include the general support portion 12 and the transfer portion 18 described above. The support portion 12 of each embodiment includes a carrier layer 14, which may have a release coating 16 (e.g., a wax or silicone coating) on ​​one side (as seen in the embodiment shown in Figure 2A). In an alternative embodiment, the carrier 14 may not have a release coating but may be treated in another way, such as by corona treatment. Still in other embodiments, the carrier 14 may be untreated and have no release coating.The transfer portion 18 of each modality is positioned adjacent to, and in a facing relationship with, the carrier 14 prior to transfer. The transfer portion 18 of the modality includes at least (1) a printable layer 20 in a facing relationship with the carrier 14. This facing relationship does not require contact between the two layers (although contact is possible). The layers need only be close and adjacent to each other, although there may be a layer or coating between the carrier 14 and the printable layer 20—for example, as in Figure 2A. The transfer portion 18 may also include an ink layer 22 and an adhesive layer 24. In the modality shown in Figures 2 and 2A, the ink layer 22 may be arranged such that the printable layer 20 is between the carrier layer 14 and the ink layer 22.And, in these modes, the adhesive layer 24 can be positioned in such a way that the ink layer 22 is between the printable layer 20 and the adhesive layer 24. Additional layers can be included within the transfer portion 18. Certain layers of pressure-sensitive label 10 can be made of UV-curable materials (and in some configurations, all layers can include UV-curable materials). UV-curable materials are generally familiar to those skilled in the art. For example, certain inks, coatings, and adhesives are formulated with photoinitiators and resins. When exposed to the correct energy and irradiation within a specific UV light band, polymerization occurs, thus curing the material. The reaction can take only a few seconds. The UV sources used can include UV lamps and UV LEDs. Certain rapid processes, such as flexographic printing (which can be used for certain layers in certain pressure-sensitive label configurations, or for all layers), can utilize high-intensity light. Still with reference to Figure 2, the illustrated version includes a carrier layer 14, a printable layer 20, an ink layer 22, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 24, and a back-side release layer 27. As can be seen in Figure 2, the release layer 27 is positioned such that the carrier layer 14 is between the printable layer 20 and the release layer 27. As will be described in more detail below (in a more detailed description of the different layers of the labels 10), the back-side release layer 27 prevents blocking when the label web is wound onto a roll, for example. As described above, the different embodiments of pressure-sensitive labels according to the principles of the present invention include a carrier layer 14. The carrier layer 14 used in certain embodiments (and in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 2) is made of a material that allows the transfer portion 18 of the label 10 to separate from the carrier layer 14 without the need for a separate release layer (such as the release layers of the prior art). This allows for a reduction in materials and costs used in the present pressure-sensitive labels. Therefore, in the embodiments of the present invention, the carrier layer 14 is made of, or includes, a material having a surface tension that allows the printable layer 20 to be releasably attached to it.And, in more specific embodiments of the present invention, the surface of the carrier layer 14 that makes contact with the printable layer 20 can have a dyne level of less than approximately 32. Furthermore, as described earlier, a web of labels 10 can be wound onto a roll (see, for example, Figure 6). In the wound state, the adhesive layer 24 of a label will make contact with the carrier portion 12 of the label web above it (and particularly may make contact with the release layer 27 on the underside). In such embodiments, the bond between the transfer portion 18 and the carrier 12 needs to be stronger than any bond between the adhesive layer 24 and the release layer TJ (or the back surface of the carrier 14) of an adjacent portion of the wound web. This prevents the transfer portion 18 from prematurely separating from the carrier portion 12 during unwinding of the roll. The carrier layer 14 of various embodiments of the present invention may consist of various materials, provided that these materials allow for a releasable bond of the printable layer 20 to it (as described above). For example, the carrier layer 14 may be selected from materials such as plastic film, foil, parchment, lightweight paper, and heavyweight paper. In one specific embodiment, the carrier layer 14 may consist of polypropylene.More specifically, in certain embodiments, the carrier layer may be a biaxially oriented co-extruded polypropylene film having an oriented polypropylene core, a treatable polyolefin layer on the underside of the core, and a corona-treated polyolefin layer on the top side of the core (i.e., the treatable polyolefin layer is on the side that would face and / or make contact with the printable layer—the treatable layer including the surface that receives the printable layer when the printable layer makes contact with the treatable layer). In one specific embodiment, the carrier layer may include a Rayoface™ C 160 film, commercially available from Innovia Films, Inc. of Atlanta, Georgia. A film is commercially available under the product name TT General Purpose Non Heatsealable BOPPfilm, from AmTopp of Livingston, New Jersey. This film is also a coextruded film with an oriented polypropylene core, a treatable polypropylene layer on the underside of the laminate, and a high-energy treated polypropylene layer on top. Similar to the film described above, the underside is the layer to be printed. Yet another film, in a different embodiment of the present invention, is commercially available under the trade name Hostaphan® 447CRL Clear Non-Silicone Release Liner, from Mitsubishi Polyester Film of Greer, South Carolina. This film is chemically primed on one surface for adhesive release and a low coefficient of friction, and is chemically primed on the opposite surface for adhesion promotion. In other modes (such as the illustrated mode in Figure 2A), the carrier layer may have a coating 16 applied to the surface that will face the printable layer 20 of the label 10.Thus, the carrier layer 14 has two surfaces: (1) an upper surface 29, which has a surface tension low enough to allow the printable layer 20 to bond releasably to it (which can be achieved, as described earlier, with various treatments of the upper surface - such as silicones and / or waxes in the manner of Figure 2A); and (2) a lower surface 31, which is treated (as will be described in more detail below) to prevent the adhesives 24 from adhering to it - thereby allowing the finished label web to be wound onto a roll (and subsequently unwound during the label application process) without damaging the labels by causing them to stick to each other and to the web (i.e., blocking). In the more specific modalities of the carrier described above, the surface of the carrier layer 14 that makes contact with the printable layer 20 can have a dyne level of less than approximately 32. As described earlier, the pressure-sensitive label 10 of the various embodiments also includes a printable layer 20 that can be disposed on and make contact with the carrier layer 14. This differs from the pressure-sensitive labels of the prior art (as shown in Figure 1), which included a pressure-sensitive adhesive 5 against a release layer 4 on the carrier layer 3. Referring again to Figures 2 and 2A, the printable layer 20 can be a film layer positioned in a confrontational relationship with the carrier layer, or it can be a material, such as a varnish, that can be printed onto the carrier layer and subsequently solidified (or be solidified) to a state that allows the printing of an ink design (text, graphics, and all other indications) on it. A printable layer 20 can be applied in a softened, molten, thixotropic, liquid, etc., form.The printable layer 20 can be applied as a pattern (such as the shape, size, outline, etc., of a label to be produced) instead of being supplied as a face material that is spliced ​​(or substantially spliced) into the carrier layer area (as in prior art labels). The printable layer 20 is of a ci bQnn / Qznz / q / uli formulation that allows it to receive ink, followed by cooling, solidification, UV curing, etc. The ability to apply the printable layer 20 in a pattern also reduces the amount of material needed for the label web (thus reducing cost), eliminates the need for die-cutting (and the waste of discarded die-cut material), and can be used to allow the entire label to be constructed in one location (as opposed to the need to acquire a pressure-sensitive label base material from a third-party supplier). In certain configurations, the printable layer 20 may include a material formulated from a base resin. The base resin can be selected, in various configurations, from vinyls, acrylics, urethanes, epoxies, polyesters, and alkyds. Additionally, the printable layer 20 may be solvent-based, water-based, or UV-curable. The printable layer 20, which includes these solvent-based, water-based, and / or UV-curable chemistries (formulated from the base resins), can be formulated as a printable liquid with the viscosity and rheology applicable to different printing processes (such as screen printing, inkjet printing, flexographic printing, rotogravure printing, and lithographic printing, for example).In one specific embodiment, the printable layer may include a printable varnish that includes a triacrylate ester monomer, a diacrylate ester monomer, an aromatic urethane acrylate, a dysfunctional acrylate, an acrylate oligomer, triethanolamine, and 4-phenylbenzophenone. In a more specific embodiment, the printable layer may include a printable varnish comprising approximately 30% to approximately 50% of a triacrylate ester monomer, approximately 10% to approximately 12.5% ​​of a diacrylate ester monomer, approximately 10% to approximately 12.5% ​​of an aromatic urethane acrylate, approximately 10% to approximately 12.5% ​​of a dysfunctional acrylate, approximately 5% to approximately 7% of an acrylate oligomer, approximately 3% to approximately 5% of triethanolamine, and approximately 1% to approximately 2% of 4-phenylbenzophenone.This printable varnish can be supplied in liquid form, have a density of approximately 1.07 g / cm³ (approximately 8.92 lb / gal or approximately 1070 g / L), a flash point of approximately 93°C, and a boiling point of approximately 106°C. An example of such a printable varnish is commercially available from INX International Ink Co. of Schaumburg, Illinois, under the trade name Procure™ KCC5185 (product code 1487893). Another printable coating is JRX-1253, commercially available from Dyna-Tech Adhesives and Coatings, Inc., of Grafton, West Virginia. JRX-1253 is a UV-cured, printable, metallizable coating for plastics such as PET, PE, etc. It is printable with UV, solvent-based, and water-based inks. With a 100% solids content, it is clear after curing.Those skilled in the art may recognize that other materials with the same or similar characteristics can be used in the embodiments of the present invention. In other respects, the label 10 may include an ink layer 22 positioned such that the printable layer 20 is between the carrier layer 14 and the ink layer 22. The label 10 may also include an adhesive layer 24 positioned such that the ink layer 22 is between the printable layer 20 and the adhesive layer 24. Thanks to this configuration, the pressure-sensitive labels 10 described herein have the printable layer 20 closest to the carrier 14, and the adhesive layer 24 furthest from the carrier 14 (which is somewhat the opposite configuration compared to pressure-sensitive labels of the prior art). Because of this configuration, the transfer portion 18 (e.g., the printable layer 20, the ink layer 22, the adhesive layer 24) of the pressure-sensitive labels described herein does not need to be peeled off the carrier to expose the adhesive for adhesion to an article.In contrast, labels 10 are configured in such a way that adhesive 24 is already the outer layer of the label construction before application to an item 26, and in this way adhesive 24 is pre-exposed and ready to make contact with an item 26, thus increasing the ease of application to an item 26. The layer configuration of these types of labels (e.g., those shown in Figures 2 and 2A) also results in the ink being below the printable layer 20 (and therefore protected by the printable layer 20) once the transfer portion 18 is transferred to an article 26. This results in the ink layer 22 (the indications, graphics, design, text, information, etc.) being protected from damage once the label 10 is transferred to an article 26. This protection is achieved without having to add any additional protective lacquer layer (as is sometimes the case with pressure-sensitive labels of the prior art).The configuration that allows the printable layer 20 to protect the ink layer 22 after transfer also increases the number of materials that can be used in the ink layer 22 - so that it is able to use materials that are easily damaged, such as metallic inks. The inks used in ink layer 22 are used to create the various indications (e.g., text, graphics, etc.) on the label. These indications can be printed using any printing process, including, but not limited to, offset printing, flexographic printing, rotogravure printing, letterpress printing, digital printing, inkjet printing, and screen printing. Furthermore, the incorporation of standard printing effects, such as combination printing (the use of gravure printing in combination with flexographic printing on a single press), the use of cold foil and hot foil decoration, and pattern embossing, for example, is contemplated by the invention described herein. In one embodiment, the 22-layer ink may include UV-curable inks. In a particular embodiment, the UV-curable ink may include a mixture of at least multifunctional components and photoinitiators. Specifically, the multifunctional components may be multifunctional acrylates. In one embodiment, the UV-curable ink may include multifunctional acrylates in an amount exceeding 30% based on the total resin weight. More specifically, one embodiment of a UV-curable ink may include multifunctional acrylates in an amount of 65-95%, and a photoinitiator mixture in an amount of 1-20%. An example of such an ink is FP-500 UV red process ink, commercially available from Gotham Ink Corporation of Marlboro, Massachusetts. Another such ink is commercially available from INX International Ink Co.From Schaumberg, Illinois, which uses only multifunctional components in its ink formulations (and therefore does not include any monofunctional components) and is offered under the trade name INXFIex2000 UV HTL. Another ink that can be used is an ITX-free ink that is commercially available from INX International Ink Co., of Schaumberg, Illinois. Yet another form of ink that can be used includes polyester acrylate, glycerol propoxytriacrylate [e.g., poly(oxy(methyl-2,-ethanedyl)), alpha, alpha', alpha-1,2,3-propanetri(omega-((1-oxo-2-propenyl)oxy)-; such as that with CAS number 5240884-1], hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone (CAS number 947-19-3), and acrylic acid monoester with propane-1,2-diol (CAS number 25584-83-2). In a specific embodiment of this ink, the polyester acrylate may be present in an amount of approximately 1% to approximately 5%, the glycerol propoxytriacrylate may be present in an amount of approximately 1% to approximately 5%, and the hydroxycyclohexyl phenyl ketone may be present in an amount of approximately 0.5% to approximately 1.5%, and acrylic acid, monoester with propane-1,2-diol may be present in an amount of approximately 0.1% to approximately 1%.The ink may have a flash point greater than approximately 93.3°C, a boiling / condensation point greater than approximately 100°C, a density of approximately 1049 g / L (approximately 8.7539 lbs / gal), and a viscosity [kinematic (room temperature)] greater than approximately 2.2 cm² / s (greater than approximately 220 cSt). The VOC content of such ink may be approximately 0.5% by weight. One such ink is a commercially available UV-LED curing flexographic ink from Flint Group Narrow Web of Plymouth, Minnesota, under the trade name Ekocure F™. In another embodiment, the ink may be a solvent-based ink and may include ethanol, propylene glycol methyl ether, propyl acetate, isopropanol, and aluminum flakes. In one specific embodiment, the solvent-based ink may include approximately 25% to approximately 35% ethanol, approximately 20% to approximately 25% propylene glycol methyl ether, approximately 15% to approximately 20% propyl acetate, approximately 15% to approximately 20% isopropanol, and approximately 3% to approximately 5% aluminum flakes. This ink can have a density of approximately 0.888 g / cm³, a flash point estimated to be above approximately 23°C, and a boiling point of approximately 78.5°C to approximately 119.9°C. One of these inks is commercially available from INX International Ink Co., from Schaumberg, Illinois, with the trade name Platinum Plus F124 Metallic, and product code 1489010. Other inks that can be used include digital inks, such as those commercially available from Indigo Ink of Columbia, Maryland. However, an expert in the technique will recognize that the inks described above are not the only inks that can be used. The different embodiments of the pressure-sensitive label 10 (such as those illustrated in Figures 2 and 2A) also include a pressure-sensitive adhesive 24. In various embodiments of the present invention, the adhesive chemistry used for the pressure-sensitive adhesive 24 may include any formulation capable of being applied in a pattern that duplicates or is similar to the outline, size, and shape of the printable layer 20 applied to the carrier 14. As is generally known, pressure-sensitive adhesives are adhesives that form a bond when pressure is applied to fuse the adhesive to the substrate. No solvent, water, or heat is needed to activate the adhesive in these cases. As the name suggests, the degree of bonding is influenced by the amount of pressure used to apply the adhesive to the surface. Furthermore, pressure-sensitive adhesives are manufactured with a liquid carrier or in 100% solid form. Items such as labels are made with liquid pressure-sensitive adhesives by coating the adhesive onto a substrate and evaporating the organic solvent or water carrier, typically in a hot air dryer. The dried adhesive can then be further heated to initiate a crosslinking reaction and increase its molecular weight.100% solids pressure-sensitive adhesives can be low-viscosity polymers that are coated and then react with radiation to increase molecular weight and form the adhesive (a radiation-cured pressure-sensitive adhesive); or they can be high-viscosity materials that are heated to reduce viscosity enough to allow coating, and then cooled to their final form (a hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive). The pressure-sensitive adhesive used may be consistent with typical etching printing but modified to permit printing with flexographic techniques. A solvent-based formulation of such an adhesive may be UV-curable. A particular adhesive in a specific embodiment of the present invention may be a high-adhesion, pressure-sensitive adhesive suitable for flexographic printing and having a viscosity of 1500–2000 cPs. Such an adhesive may include from approximately 37.5% to approximately 80% acrylate and from approximately 2.5% to approximately 10% of a photoinitializer (along with additional materials constituting the remainder of the formulation). The adhesive provided under this formulation may have a flash point of approximately 94°C and a specific gravity at 20°C of approximately 1.06 g / cm³ (approximately 8.85 lbs / gal).One of these adhesives is commercially available from Craig Adhesives & Coatings of Newark, New Jersey under the trade name Craigbond 1029BTJ UV High Tack PSA. Another such adhesive, in a specific embodiment of the present invention, may have a formulation that includes at least nonylphenol ethoxylated acrylate (CAS No. 50974-47-5) and ethoxyethoxy ethyl acrylate (CAS No. 7328-17-8), among other materials. The adhesive may also include 2-hydroxy-2-methyl-1-phenylpropanone. One such adhesive is commercially available from Craig Adhesives & Coatings of Newark, New Jersey, under the product name Craigcote 1029J. Another adhesive that can be used in various embodiments of the present invention includes a self-crosslinking acrylic polymer that cures upon solvent removal. This adhesive may contain approximately 53% to approximately 56% non-volatile components with a Brookfield viscosity at 25°C (77°F) of approximately 3500 to approximately 6000. The adhesive solvent may be ethyl acetate / heptanes with a solvent ratio of 83 / 17. The adhesive may have a density of approximately 7.7 to approximately 8.1 lbs / gal (approximately 0.92 to approximately 0.98 g / cm³) and a flash point of less than approximately -6.66°C (20°F). An example of this adhesive is commercially available from Ashland Performance Materials of Dublin, Ohio, under the trademark AROSET™ PS-6416. Yet another adhesive that can be used in various embodiments of the present invention includes a hot-melt pressure-sensitive adhesive. This adhesive has a 100% solids content with a viscosity of approximately 66.500 at 148.88°C (300°F), a Mettler softening point of approximately 121.11°C (250°F), and a density of approximately 0.934 g / cm³ (7.8 lbs / gal). This adhesive may also include a piperylene copolymer and a modified terpene resin. In one specific embodiment, this adhesive may include from approximately 10% to approximately 30% piperylene copolymer and from approximately 10% to approximately 30% modified terpene resin; the adhesive may have a boiling point above approximately 260°C, a melting point of approximately 110°C, and a specific gravity of approximately 0.98, and a flash point of more than approximately 260°C (by the Cleveland open cup method). An example of such an adhesive is commercially available from Henkel Corporation of Rocky Hill, Connecticut, under the trade name Technomelt® and product number Technomelt® PS 9197. ci bQnn / Qznz / q / υιλι However, an expert in the field will recognize that these are not the only adhesives that can be used. For example, other UV-curable adhesives can be used. Ultraviolet (UV) light-curing adhesives, also known as light-curing materials (LCMs), have become popular in the manufacturing sector due to their rapid curing time and strong bond strength. Light-curing adhesives can cure in as little as one second, and many formulations can bond dissimilar substances (materials) and withstand severe temperatures. Unlike traditional adhesives, UV-curing adhesives not only bond materials together but can also be used to seal and coat products. In this type of pressure-sensitive label 10, the adhesive layer 24 is UV-cured after the printing step. Therefore, the label 10 can be rolled up without jamming (due to its tackiness). During the decoration step, heat (or heat and pressure) is applied, making the adhesive soft, fluid, and tacky just before application, at which point the label 10 bonds to the substrate. One such heat-activated, UV-curable adhesive is HS30, commercially available from Actega Radcure Inc. of Wayne, New Jersey. According to the MSDS, HS30 is used as a UV / EB-curable adhesive, primer, and coating. Another heat-activated, UV-cured adhesive is FP-500 NUV85 from Gotham Ink Corporation of Marlboro, Massachusetts. FP-500 NUV85 is a proprietary blend of materials. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that these are not the only UV-curable adhesives available, and that other UV-curable adhesives providing similar characteristics can be used. In another aspect, the pressure-sensitive label 10 shown in the embodiments of Figures 2 and 2A may also include a release layer 27 positioned such that the carrier layer 14 is between the printable layer 20 and the release layer 27. In other words, the release layer 27 is not on the side of the carrier 14 adjacent to the transfer portion 18 of the label 10, but rather on the underside of the carrier 14. This release layer 27 allows the label web 10 to be wound onto a roll, for example, while preventing blocking (i.e., the problem of the adhesive on the labels sticking to the underside of the carrier when the label web is wound onto the roll). Thus, the presence and positioning of this release layer 27 allows the label web to be wound onto a roll after the labels 10 have been printed.In particular, the bonding of the pattern applied to the printable layer 20 is larger on the upper surface of the continuous network of the carrier layer 14 than it is on the release layer 27 on the underside of the carrier layer 14. Thus, when wound onto a roll, the label 10 is positioned with the adhesive side up to allow ease of application to the items 26 to be labeled. A particular release formulation for a release layer in a specific embodiment of the present invention may include a UV-curable release material, and such material may be—in one embodiment—a cationic release coating. Such release formulation may include dimethyl siloxanes and silicones (CAS number 67762-95-2). An example of such material is commercially available from Craig Adhesives and Coatings, of Newark, New Jersey, under the trade name Craigcoat UV9300 and product code uv9300. In one embodiment of the present invention, the release material described above may include a photocatalytic material used in conjunction with it. Such photocatalytic material may include—in one embodiment—2-isopropylthioxatone, C12 and C14 alkylglycidyl ethers, bis(4-dodecylphenyl)iodonium hexafluoroantimonate, and linear dodecylbenzene alkylate.More specifically, a certain formulation may include approximately 1% to approximately 5% of 2-isopropylthioxatone, approximately 30% to approximately 60% of C12 and C14 alkylglycidyl ethers, approximately 30% to approximately 60% of bis(4-dodecylphenyl)iodonium hexafluoroantimonate, and approximately 5% to approximately 10% of linear dodecylbenzene alkylate. An example of such a photocatalytic material is commercially available from Craig Adhesives and Coatings of Newark, New Jersey, under the trade name UV9390C. As described above, and with reference to Figures 3 and 3A, another aspect of the present invention provides a pressure-sensitive label comprising: (a) a backing portion including at least one carrier layer; and (b) a transfer portion including at least one printable layer in contact with the carrier layer. In a label of this aspect, the ink layer may be present between the printable layer and the carrier layer. Depending on the nature of the ink layer, at least a portion or portions of the printable layer may make contact with the carrier layer (i.e., in any area where the ink or inks of the ink layer are not present).In general, the transfer portion can be overlapped with the backing portion to transfer the transfer material from the backing portion to an item, with pressure applied to the transfer portion while it is in contact with the item. In one embodiment, the carrier layer does not include a release layer on the side of the carrier layer that faces the printable layer. This eliminates a layer from the labels of the prior art, thus reducing the label cost. In this configuration, pressure-sensitive labels of this type include the ink layer closest to the carrier and the adhesive layer farthest from the carrier.Because of this configuration, the transfer portion (e.g., the ink layer, the printable layer, the adhesive layer) of the pressure-sensitive labels described in this section does not need to be peeled off the carrier to expose the adhesive for bonding to an item. Instead, the labels are configured so that the adhesive is already the outer layer of the label construction before application to an item, and in this way, the adhesive is pre-exposed and ready to make contact, thus increasing the ease of application. Now, with reference to Figure 3, a particular modality of said pressure-sensitive label 10 is shown. As can be seen in Figure 3, the pressure-sensitive label 10 of the illustrated modality is a multi-layered construction, with each layer having its own function. Other modalities also have a multi-layered construction. The label modality shown in Figure 3 does include the general support portion 12 and the transfer portion 18 described earlier. The support portion 12 of each modality includes a carrier layer 14, which may have a release coating 16 (e.g., a wax or silicone coating) on ​​one side (as can be seen in the modality shown in Figure 3A).In an alternative embodiment, the carrier 14 may lack a release coating (in the carrier facing the ink layer – see the embodiment in Figure 3), but may be treated in another way, such as by corona treatment. In still other embodiments, the carrier 14 may be untreated and lack a release coating. The transfer portion 18 of each embodiment is positioned adjacent to, and in a facing relationship with, the carrier 14 prior to transfer. The transfer portion 18 of the embodiments includes at least (1) a printable layer 20 in a facing relationship with the carrier 14. This facing relationship does not require contact between the two layers (although contact is possible). The layers only need to be close and adjacent to each other. The transfer portion 18 may also include an ink layer 22 and an adhesive layer 24.The ink layer 22 can be positioned so that it is between the carrier layer 14 and the printable layer 20. And, the adhesive layer 24 can be positioned so that the printable layer 22 is between the ink layer 22 and the adhesive layer 24. Additional layers can be included within the transfer portion 18. Still with reference to Figure 3, the illustrated embodiment includes a carrier layer 14, an ink layer 22, a printable layer 20, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 24, and a back-side release layer 27. As can be seen in Figure 3, the release layer 27 is positioned such that the carrier layer 14 is between the ink layer 22 and the release layer 27. As will be described in more detail below (in a more detailed description of the different layers of labels 10), the back-side release layer 27 prevents blocking when the label web is wound onto a roll, for example. As described above, the different embodiments of pressure-sensitive labels according to the principles of the present invention include a carrier layer 14. The carrier layer 14 used in certain embodiments (and in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 3) is made of a material that allows the transfer portion 18 of the label 10 to separate from the carrier layer 14 without the need for a separate release layer (such as the release layers of the prior art). This allows for a reduction in materials and costs used in the present pressure-sensitive labels. Therefore, in the embodiments of the present invention, the carrier layer 14 is made of, or includes, a material having a surface tension that allows the printable layer 20 to be releasably attached to it.And, in more specific embodiments of the present invention, the surface of the carrier layer 14 that makes contact with the printable layer 20 can have a dyne level of less than approximately 32. In other forms (such as the illustrated form in Figure 3A), the carrier layer may have a coating 16 applied to the surface that will face the ink layer 22 of the label 10.Thus, the carrier layer 14 has two surfaces: (1) an upper surface 29, which has a surface tension low enough to allow the ink layer 22 to bond releasably to it (which can be achieved, as described earlier, with various treatments of the upper surface - such as silicones and / or waxes in the manner of Figure 3A); and (2) a lower surface 31, which is treated (as will be described in more detail below) to prevent the adhesives 24 from adhering to it - thereby allowing the finished label web to be wound onto a roll (and subsequently unwound during the label application process) without damaging the labels by causing them to stick to each other and to the web (i.e., blocking). The printable layer 20 (in the configurations shown in Figures 3 and 3A) will be positioned behind the ink or inks of the ink layer 22 once the label is applied to an item. The printable layer 20 is the film layer that provides some mass and volume to the label. In addition, the printable label may include pigments in its formulation to provide a degree of opacity (i.e., a background) to any information, text, graphics, etc., on the label provided by the ink layer. This opacity may be provided in any desired color. Alternatively, the printable layer may be clear. The use of pigments to provide a degree of background coloration is well known to those skilled in the art. The layers (carrier 14, ink layer 22, printable layer 20, adhesive layer 24, backside release layer 27, etc.) of the embodiments in Figures 3 and 3A of the present invention may include various materials, including those described above with respect to the embodiments in Figures 2 and 2A. As described earlier, several label embodiments may include additional layers. One such layer may be a protective layer, which can be used to protect the ink layer from abrasion after the label is transferred to an article (as in the version shown in Figures 3 and 3A, where the ink layer would be the exposed outer layer of the label after transfer). Such an embodiment, which includes a protective layer 33, is shown in Figures 4 and 4A. The transfer portion 18 of this embodiment includes at least (1) a printable layer 20 in facing relationship with the carrier 14. Such facing relationship does not require contact between the two layers (although contact is possible). The layers only need to be close and adjacent to each other. The transfer portion 18 may also include an ink layer 22 and an adhesive layer 24.The ink layer 22 can be positioned such that it is between the protective layer 33 and the printable layer 20. And, the adhesive layer 24 can be positioned such that the printable layer 22 is between the ink layer 22 and the adhesive layer 24. And, the protective layer 33 can be positioned such that it is between the carrier 14 and the ink layer 22. (The embodiment shown in Figure 4A has a similar construction, although it includes a separate release layer 16 on one side of the carrier 14.) Still referring to Figure 4, the illustrated modality includes a carrier layer 14, a protective layer 33, an ink layer 22, a printable layer 20, a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer 24, and a back-side release layer 27. As can be seen in Figure 3, the release layer 27 is positioned such that the carrier layer 14 is between the protective layer 33 and the release layer 20. The back-side release layer 27 prevents blocking when the label web is wound onto a roll, for example (as described above with respect to the modality in Figures 2 and 3). The protective layer 33 can be of various types, including, but not limited to, UV-cured or UV-curable overprint varnishes. However, the protective layer can be of other types (e.g., solvent-etched HTL protective layers). Therefore, an example of a protective layer 33 could be a UV-curable coating in which the formula has been modified with additives that will increase wear resistance and / or chemical resistance. Such a coating may have the properties of high gloss, chemical resistance, good UV reactivity, be free of benzophenone and bisphenol A, and not yellow. A particular coating for a protective layer may have a film weight of 0.18–0.31 kg / 92.90 m², using a 180–250 IPI, 6–9 billion cubic microns (BEM) anilox roller per 6.45 km²; a viscosity of 160 centipoise (cps) using a Brookfield RV, spindle #3, 100 revolutions per minute (rpm) at 77°F (25°C); It can be cured at 0.752-1.27 meters per second (150-250 feet per minute (fpm)) by a 400 watt lamp by 2.54 cm (wpi); may appear as a translucent liquid; may have a gloss of >90 @ 60° angle (on the black portion of Leneta N2A-3); may have a measured static CoF <0.30 and a kinetic CoF between 0.15-0.21, using a 200-gram slider; and may have a solvent resistance >50 double methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) rubs (those skilled in the art will recognize that properties such as CoF gloss and solvent resistance will depend on the coating film thickness, degree of cure, and substrate type). A specific example of such a coating for use in a protective layer would be SunCure® HG (High Gloss) TL 4098 coating (commercially available under product number RCYFV0484098 from Sun Chemical, of Parsippany, NJ). Such a coating may be applied by flexo, coating tower, or coating roller. Although the preceding embodiments (from Figures 4 and 4A) describe a protective layer 33 that is separate from the ink layer, alternative embodiments may include a protective layer that is combined with the provision of graphics in the ink layer. This can be achieved by pigmenting the protective layer to be the desired color or colors of the ink (and configured in the various desired graphics, text, etc., of the label). As described above, another aspect of the present invention may include a method or methods for making a pressure-sensitive label. Yet another aspect of the present invention may include a method or methods for applying a pressure-sensitive label to an article. Now, with reference to Figure 5, the pressure-sensitive label 10 of the embodiment shown in Figure 2 may be prepared as follows: The printable layer 20 may be laid onto the carrier layer 14 by means of a first roller / cylinder 34 (for example), followed by the ink layer 22 being laid onto the printable layer 20 by a second roller / cylinder 36, and then the adhesive layer 24 being laid onto the ink layer 22 by means of a third roller / cylinder 38, thus forming a label 10 with these separate and distinct layers.During the laying process of the printable layer 20, the ink layer 22, and the adhesive layer 24, a release layer 27 can also be applied to the opposite side of the carrier layer from the transfer portion of the label by means of a fourth roller / cylinder 40. In configurations where one or more of these layers (printable, ink, adhesive, release) are UV-curable, they can be exposed to UV radiation provided by ultraviolet light, which cures the different UV-curable layers. This UV curing can be done as each separate UV-curable layer is laid, or it can occur after all the UV-curable layers have been laid.(Furthermore, although Figure 5 shows, and is described as, putting down a printable layer followed by an ink layer, those skilled in the art will recognize that for label modalities that have a different layer order - as shown in Figures 3 and 3A - the layers can be put down in a different order than shown in Figure 5, for example, the ink layer is put down followed by the printable layer.) Furthermore, any UV-curable component can be applied using flexographic printing techniques. UV components do not present the swelling problem when used in flexographic printing (unlike certain typical rotogravure solvent components). Flexographic printing is a process well known to those skilled in the art. Generally, in the flexographic process (used for UV-cured ink), a relief plate (not shown) includes raised image areas above the non-image areas. A component, such as ink, is transferred from an ink roller (not shown), which is partially submerged in an ink tank, to a second roller (not shown) whose texture holds a specific amount of ink. A knife (not shown) then removes excess ink from the second roller before inking the flexible relief plate.The substrate is then positioned between the plate and a printing cylinder (not shown) to transfer the image. Although the plate has been described as having image areas, the image in these areas may be designed to provide a flood coating of the protective lacquer layer onto the substrate. By using flexographic printing techniques for the various layers of label 10, this aspect of the present invention results in cost savings compared to previously manufactured pressure-sensitive labels 10 (or labels 10 that include a UV-curable layer) using rotogravure printing techniques. This is because rotogravure printing techniques are expensive, especially compared to printing techniques such as flexography. By eliminating gravure printing for the layers of the pressure-sensitive label 10 (especially those that include the most complex design—i.e., the ink layer 22), significant cost savings can be achieved due to the elimination of the need to provide multiple, different cylinders with gravure depressions for different production runs. However, the layers of labels are not limited to flexographic techniques and can be applied using other techniques, including rotogravure printing. In rotogravure techniques (which are also well known to those skilled in the art), the printing plate (not shown) is cylindrical and includes pits that are drilled or engraved to varying depths and / or sizes to create the image or images. The component, such as protective lacquer or adhesive, is applied directly to the cylinder by rotation in a bath (not shown) where each image cell is flooded with the lacquer or adhesive. A rasp knife (not shown) removes excess lacquer or adhesive, and capillary action from the substrate and pressure from the printing rollers (not shown) force the lacquer or adhesive out of the pits and onto the substrate. Thus, the apparatus (not shown) for an engraved printed layer includes an engraved printing unit (not shown) for a rotary press, with an engraving sleeve (not shown) provided with lacquer or adhesive from an engraving tray (not shown) and an impression roller (not shown), which rests in a confronting relationship with the engraving sleeve, to form a roller gap (not shown) between them. When the rotary press is running, a carrier, such as a sheet material, to be printed passes through the roller gap, picking up the lacquer or adhesive from the peripheral surface of the engraving sleeve.Simultaneously, the engraving sleeve rotates in a specific direction opposite to that of the printing roller, and its rotary motion consists of a front rotating sector from the printing unit to the roller space and a rear rotating sector from the roller space to the printing unit. The apparatus and techniques for both rotogravure and flexographic printing are common and well known to those skilled in the art. Furthermore, as mentioned earlier, certain layers of the label (e.g., printable layer 20, ink layer 22, and adhesive layer 24) can be laid, or printed, in a particular pattern that corresponds to the size, shape, and / or outline of the desired final image on the label. This also resolves a problem with the prior art (which resulted in excessive material usage and, consequently, increased label costs). Because the ink design is only printed on a portion of the base construction, which (in the prior art) is acquired from a third party, this requires that the front material onto which the ink is printed be a film that completely covers the carrier (which will be cut later). It also requires that the adhesive (which is part of the base construction in the prior art) be flood-coated onto the carrier (as it is done before the base construction is sold).In other words, because carrier suppliers do not know in advance the ink designs that will be applied by the label manufacturer, they flood coat the entire carrier with adhesive and cover the entire carrier with the face material to accommodate any size, shape, configuration, and ink design registration. The use of such a large quantity of face material and flood-coated adhesive results in a significant amount of unused and therefore excess adhesive, as well as an excessive amount of face material that must be die-cut and discarded. This excessive use of adhesive and face material results in increased costs for labels produced using the prior art technique, as the excess face material and adhesive leads to an increased cost for the carrier, and consequently, an increased cost for label preparation and the labels themselves. However, the design of the present pressure-sensitive label 10 allows for the printing of a printable layer 20 in a pattern, as well as a patterned ink layer 22 and an adhesive 24. This is due in part to the label's construction in a somewhat reversed order compared to prior pressure-sensitive labels. In other words, prior art labels have an adhesive disposed on a carrier release, with the face material above the adhesive, and the ink above the face material. In the label of the present application, the printable layer can be applied to the labeling side with the ink above the printable layer and the adhesive above it. Because this occurs at the labeling site, the entity supplying and creating the label will know the label design at the time of printing.Therefore, instead of providing a face material of the same area as the carrier, the present invention does not use a face material. Instead, it eliminates the typical face material of pressure-sensitive labels of the prior art, and instead, a printable layer (such as a printable varnish) can be applied to the carrier. This allows one to print the printable layer in the shape of the final label design—making it possible to create a label without the need to die-cut any additional face material. In one embodiment, the printable layer can be applied using a 30 bcm anilox roller. Similarly, this allows the adhesive to be printed over the ink design in the shape of the ink design (i.e., having the same or a similar outer contour) to avoid the waste of excess adhesive that occurs with flood coating in the previous technique. In one embodiment, the ink layer can be applied using an 8 bcm anilox roller. In another embodiment, the adhesive layer can be applied using a 4.5 bcm anilox roller. For example, another aspect of the present invention provides a method for applying a printable layer 20, an ink layer 22, and / or an adhesive layer 24 to a carrier, wherein the printable layer 20, the ink layer 22, and / or the adhesive layer 24 cover less than substantially the entire surface of a first side of the carrier. Thus, the printable layer 20, the ink layer 22, and / or the adhesive layer 24 can be applied in a pattern and / or can be applied to match any desired size, shape, configuration, or registration for a label.More specifically, this procedure may include bringing the materials of the printable layer 20, the ink layer 22 and / or the adhesive layer 24 into contact with a surface having at least one engraved region thereon, and confronting the carrier 14 (for example) with the surface, so that at least a portion of the printable layer 20 is transferred from the surface to the carrier 14. The printable layer that is transferred may be received particularly by and transferred from the engraved region of the surface.Thus, the procedure may include (a) softening a material for the printable layer 20 (such as by melting the formulation), (b) contacting the softened printable layer and / or adhesive formulation with an etching sleeve having at least one etched portion where the formulation is absorbed into the surface of the etching sleeve, (c) removing excess printable layer ci bQnn / Qznz / q / υιλι from the surface of the etching sleeve so that the printable layer formulation is absorbed only into the etched portion of the etching sleeve, and (d) contacting the etching sleeve with the carrier to deposit the printable layer and / or adhesive formulation onto the carrier, thereby forming a printable layer 20 on a portion of the carrier 14.A layer of ink can then be printed onto the printable layer, and then an adhesive layer can be printed over the ink layer to form a label that has a backing portion and a transfer portion. The transfer portion of the label can then be transferred to an item. In use, and with reference to Figures 7 and 8, the label 10, according to the principles of the present invention, is applied to an article 26 as follows. In the illustrated embodiment, the labels 10 are conveyed in a net wound onto a reel 42. The transfer portion 18 of the labels 10 is detachable from the support portion 12 (for example, the carrier 14), and the net advances from a feed reel 44 to a take-up roller 46. After being unwound from the rotating feed reel 44, the label net will generally pass close to the articles 26 to be labeled. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the various rollers listed above are merely illustrative and are not required for the principles of the present invention.Upon reaching the vicinity of article 26 (see Figure 7, point 48), contact occurs between the adhesive layer 24 of the transfer portion 18 of label 10 and a surface of article 26. At this point, pressure can be applied to adhere the adhesive layer 24 of label 10 to the surface of the article (by methods and apparatus generally known to those skilled in the art). This pressure facilitates the adhesion of the transfer portion of label 10 to article 26. After the transfer portion 18 has been applied to article 26, the bond between the adhesive layer 24 and the article is stronger than the release bond between the printable layer 20 and the carrier 14 (or the printable layer 20 and the release composition 16—or the ink layer 22 and the carrier 14). This causes the transfer portion 18 to detach from the backing portion 12 as the network of labels and articles continues to move.The now empty carrier net (i.e., support portion 12) can progress to a collection reel 46, where it can be recycled (or discarded). Those skilled in the art will recognize that the particular number, type, and configuration of the components described above are not merely illustrative. And after the net has moved past the labeling point, item 26 (as can be seen in Figure 8) now includes the transfer portion 18 of the label affixed to it. The application of the label described in this application can occur with the label being laminated onto the article, in the same or similar manner to a heat transfer label, thus eliminating the opportunity for wrinkles and blisters to occur, thereby reducing and / or eliminating one of the problems with pressure-sensitive labels of the prior art. As described above, in several embodiments of the present invention, one or more of the label layers 10 can be applied in a pattern (such as the shape, size, contour, etc., of a label to be produced) instead of being provided as a face material with layers that overlap with the carrier layer (as in the prior art). Thus, with reference to Figure 9, an alternative embodiment is shown that includes an adhesive layer 24 applied in a pattern. In this embodiment, the adhesive chemistry used for the pressure-sensitive adhesive 24 can include any formulation capable of being applied in a desired pattern. Although certain prior embodiments have been described as having the adhesive layer 24 as the outer layer of the label (i.e., distal to the carrier 14), the embodiment in Figure 9 shows the adhesive layer 24 adjacent to the carrier 14.Although this differs from prior embodiments, it also resolves certain problems present in the prior art (which were previously unresolved), such as the requirement in the prior art for labels to fold over the adhesive backing when a separate label face material was provided (as described in the Background of the Invention). The present embodiment eliminates this excess adhesive. Therefore, with reference to Figure 9, one aspect of the present invention provides a label 10 and a method for applying a layer, such as an adhesive layer 24, to a carrier 14, wherein the adhesive layer 24 covers less than substantially the entire surface of one side of the carrier 14. Typically, a carrier 14, as previously described, can be a sheet of paper, film, or other material having a first side 29 to which other label components can be applied, and a second side 31 opposite the first side 29. Thus, the adhesive layer 24 can be applied to the first side 29 of the carrier 14 in a pattern and / or can be applied to match any size, shape, configuration, or registration of an ink design, or another label layer, relative to the carrier 14.When the adhesive layer makes contact with the carrier 14 in this glossy configuration, the carrier can be designed to facilitate the release of the adhesive layer from it. Thus, in this configuration, the carrier 14 can be a silicone release liner [i.e., the top surface of the carrier 14 (the continuous substrate network) can have a silicone release coating, creating a releasable bond]. The adhesive layer 14 can be applied to it using any conventional printing process, including rotary screen printing, flexography, inkjet printing, etc. Still with reference to Figure 9, additional layer(s) can be added adjacent to the adhesive layer. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, an ink layer 22 is applied to the adhesive layer 24, such that the adhesive layer 24 is positioned between the ink layer 22 and the carrier 14. As shown in Figure 9, the ink layer 22 can be patterned to match that of the adhesive layer 24. The ink layer 22 (like the adhesive layer 24) can be applied using any conventional printing process, including rotary screen printing, flexography, inkjet printing, etc. Although not shown in Figure 9, those skilled in the art will recognize that the label may include layers other than, or in addition to, the adhesive layer 24 and the ink layer 22 (as previously described), and such other layers may also have a pattern. The carrier 14 can be made of various materials, and the following is a non-exhaustive list of materials for various carrier 14 configurations: virgin polypropylene film (such as PSPL10264), silicone-coated paper liner, silicone-coated polyester film (such as the 2SLKN 1.2 mil silicone-coated polyester film commercially available from Mitsubishi), polyester film (such as the 92-gauge polyester film, 447CRL series, commercially available from Mitsubishi, or the 200-gauge polyester film, 39RL series, commercially available from Mitsubishi), and biaxially oriented polypropylene film (such as the BRT35T BOPP film commercially available from Inteplast). For a construction where the adhesive layer 24 is positioned adjacent to the carrier 14 (as in Figure 9), a silicone-coated film can be used as the carrier to facilitate separation of the adhesive layer 24 from the carrier 14.For a construction having the adhesive layer 24 distal to the carrier 14 (as in figures 2, 2A, 3, 3A, 4, and 4A), polypropylene or polyester films can be used (such as polypropylene and polyester films - as well as other possible films - that have been described above with respect to other modality of label 10). Various adhesive materials and various ink materials can be used for adhesive layer 24 and ink layer 22, and the following is a non-limiting list of adhesive and ink materials: Siegwerk SF RS Opaque White MP A08 (commercially available from Siegwerk USA, Inc.), Siegwerk EXP Linerless OPV (commercially available from Siegwerk USA, Inc.), Siegwerk RS DC SF Extender A02 (commercially available from Siegwerk USA, Inc.), 1249385 INXFlex UV Ink Warm Red (commercially available from INX International), Novamet Gravure Silver Ink 2155 (commercially available from Novamet) and 1029 FST UV High Tack PSA 5G401R (commercially available from Craig Adhesives & Coatings). One particular configuration includes Siegwerk white ink with a 22 wire bar and adhesive (1029 FST UV High Tack PSA 5G401R) with a 2.5 wire bar. Another configuration includes Siegwerk EXP Linerless OPV and Mitsubishi 2SLKN 1.2 mil silicon-coated polyester film. Yet another configuration includes Siegwerk EXP Linerless OPV and PSPL20164 virgin polypropylene film. Different wire bars and hand testers can be used for applying the various printable materials. Wire bars include #2.5, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12, 16, ci bQnn / Qznz / q / uli 22, as those skilled in the technique know. A hand tester can be used with a 500 / 3.32 anilox roller. One particular configuration includes Siegwerk white ink applied with the 22 wire bar and adhesive (1029 FST UV High Tack PSA 5G401R) applied with the 2.5 wire bar. Siegwerk EXP Linerless OPV can be applied with the 2.5 wire bar in configurations that include Siegwerk EXP Linerless OPV. With reference now to figures 10 to 12, methods are shown for providing a label that has layers in pattern (as shown in figure 9). Figure 10 shows a first exemplary embodiment of a method for providing a label 10 having an adhesive layer in pattern 24 and an ink layer in pattern 22. In this embodiment, the label 10 or labels 10 are constructed without a conventional face material, but by deposition of an adhesive pattern 24 (e.g., a pressure-sensitive adhesive) onto the upper surface 29 of a continuous substrate network (the carrier 14), which is subsequently printed with indications in register with the adhesive pattern, by depositing an ink layer 22 adjacent to the adhesive layer 24 and in register with the adhesive pattern. With reference to Figure 10, the pressure-sensitive label 10, in the form shown in Figure 9, can be prepared as follows: The adhesive layer 24 can be applied to the carrier layer 14 by means of a first roller / cylinder 34 (for example), followed by the ink layer 22 being applied to the adhesive layer 24 by a second roller / cylinder 36, thus forming a label 10 with these separate and distinct layers. In forms where one or more of these layers (ink, adhesive) are UV-curable, they can be exposed to UV radiation provided by ultraviolet light, which cures the different UV-curable layers. This UV curing can be done as each separate UV-curable layer is applied, or it can occur after all the UV-curable layers have been applied.(Furthermore, although Figure 10 shows, and is described as, putting down a layer of adhesive followed by a layer of ink, those skilled in the art will be able to recognize that for label modalities that have a different order of layers - such as that shown in Figures 3 and 3A - the layers can be put down in a different order than that shown in Figure 10). As mentioned earlier, certain layers of label 10 in the modality of Figure 9 (e.g., ink layer 22 and adhesive layer 24) can be laid, or printed, in a particular pattern that corresponds to the size, shape, and / or outline of the desired final image on the label. This also resolves a problem with the prior art (which resulted in excessive material usage and, consequently, increased label costs). Because the ink design is printed only on a portion of the base construction, which (in the prior art) is purchased from a third party, it requires that the adhesive (which is part of the base construction in the prior art) be flood-coated onto the carrier (since this is done before the base construction is sold).In other words, because carrier suppliers do not know in advance the ink designs that will be applied by the label manufacturer, they flood coat the entire carrier with adhesive to accommodate any size, shape, configuration, and ink design registration. The use of such a large amount of flood-coated adhesive results in a significant amount of unused, and therefore excessive, adhesive. This excessive adhesive leads to increased costs for prior art labels, as the excess adhesive results in a higher cost for the purchased base construction, and consequently, higher costs for label preparation and the labels themselves. However, the design of the present pressure-sensitive label 10 (as shown in Figures 9 and 10) allows for the printing of an adhesive layer 24 in a pattern, as well as a patterned ink layer 22. Since this occurs at the labeling site, the entity supplying and creating the label will know the label design at the time of printing. Therefore, instead of providing a face material of the same area as the carrier, the present invention does not use a face material. Instead, the typical face material of prior art pressure-sensitive labels is eliminated, and a printable layer (such as a printable adhesive) can be placed on the carrier. This allows the adhesive and ink to be printed in the shape of the final label design—making it possible to create a label without the need to remove any extra material from the layers of a face material base construction by a third party. Figure 11 shows another exemplary embodiment of a method for providing a label 10 having an adhesive layer in pattern 24 and an ink layer in pattern 22. In this embodiment, the label 10 or labels 10 are constructed without a conventional face material, but by deposition of an adhesive pattern 24 (for example, a pressure-sensitive adhesive) onto the upper surface 29 of a continuous substrate network (the carrier 14), followed by laminating a cold foil film onto the adhesive, curing the adhesive, removing the cold foil film, and subsequently printing with indications in register with the adhesive pattern and cold foil images, depositing an ink layer 22 adjacent to the adhesive layer 24 and in register with the adhesive pattern and cold foil images. Referring to the modality in Figure 11, a pressure-sensitive label 10 can be prepared as follows: The adhesive layer 24 can be laid onto a carrier layer 14 by means of a first roller / cylinder 34 (for example). Subsequently, a cold foil film 50 is laminated onto the adhesive layer 24. The cold foil is removed from a cold foil unwinding roller 52 and laminated onto the adhesive layer 24 on roller 54. The adhesive is then cured (for example, UV cured) at 56, followed by the removal of excess cold foil film to a cold foil rewinding roller 58, leaving the remaining cold foil film 50 laminated onto the adhesive, as desired. Next, the ink layer 22 is laid down by a second roller / cylinder 36, thus forming a label 10 with different and separate layers as shown.(Furthermore, although Figure 11 shows, and is described as, putting down a layer of adhesive followed by cold foil processing, and a layer of ink, those skilled in the art will be able to recognize that for label modalities that have a different order of layers - such as that shown in Figures 3 and 3A - the layers can be put down in a different order than that shown in Figure 11). One particular embodiment of a method according to Figure 11 can use an iFlex press to print on top of the cold foil. In this embodiment, the adhesive runs at 3–8 BCM with white cold foil (or holographic foil) at 33–100 fpm on an untreated polypropylene film. In one specific embodiment, the adhesive runs at 3 BCM and the press speed is 100 fpm. Figure 12 shows another exemplary embodiment of a method for providing a label 10 having an adhesive layer in pattern 24 and an ink layer in pattern 22. In this embodiment, the label 10 or labels 10 are constructed without a conventional face material, but by deposition of an adhesive pattern 24 (for example, a pressure-sensitive adhesive) onto the upper surface 29 of a continuous substrate network (the carrier 14), followed by application of a matching pattern of UV-curable ink 60 to the adhesive layer 24, and subsequently printing with indications in register with the adhesive pattern 24 and UV-curable ink 60, depositing an ink layer 22 in register with the adhesive pattern and the UV-curable ink. Referring to the modality in Figure 12, a pressure-sensitive label 10 can be prepared as follows: The adhesive layer 24 can be applied to a carrier layer 14 by means of a first roller / cylinder 34 (for example). Subsequently, a UV-curable ink 60 (for example, in a pattern matching the adhesive pattern) is applied to the adhesive layer 24 by means of a second roller 62. The cold foil is removed from a cold foil unwinding roller 52 and laminated onto the adhesive layer 24 on roller 54. The ink layer 22 is then applied by a third roller / cylinder 64, thus forming a label 10 with distinct and separate layers as shown.(Furthermore, although Figure 11 shows, and is described as, putting down a layer of adhesive followed by UV-curable ink and a separate ink layer, those skilled in the art will recognize that for label modalities that have a different layer order - such as that shown in Figures 3 and 3A - the layers can be put down in a different order than that shown in Figure 11.) The embodiments of the present invention listed herein are intended to be illustrative only, and those skilled in the art may make various variations and modifications to them without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the particular types of materials used in the adhesive, ink, and protective lacquer layers may be selected to optimize label performance, interlayer adhesion, adhesion to the article, and / or mechanical and chemical resistance suitable for the article's intended use. Furthermore, the foregoing description may include descriptions of specific materials for use in each of the individual layers of a label (i.e., a specific ink may be described, and the specification therefore describes the use of that specific ink with any carrier, printable layer, and adhesive).However, those skilled in the art will also understand that such descriptions include modalities that include the specific material described in each layer of the label (i.e., a specific ink, specific carrier, specific printable layer, and specific adhesive that are described in different parts of the specification, shall be understood to include a specific modality that includes each of those specific materials). Notwithstanding the foregoing, certain variations and modifications, even if they produce suboptimal results, may still yield satisfactory results. All such variations and modifications are intended to be within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pressure-sensitive label comprising: (a) a backing portion, said backing portion including at least one backing layer; and (b) a transfer portion on said backing portion for transferring the transfer portion from the backing portion to an article by applying pressure to the transfer portion while the transfer portion is in contact with the article, said transfer portion including at least one patterned adhesive layer in confrontation relation to a surface of the carrier layer, wherein the patterned adhesive layer confronts less than substantially the entire surface of the carrier layer.

2. The pressure-sensitive label according to claim 1, further characterized in that it also comprises an ink layer positioned such that said adhesive layer is between said ink layer and said carrier layer.

3. The pressure-sensitive label according to claim 1, further characterized in that it also comprises a silicone coating positioned on a surface of the carrier layer such that said silicone coating is between said carrier layer and said adhesive layer.

4. The pressure-sensitive label according to claim 1, further characterized in that the carrier layer has a surface tension that allows the ink layer to be releasably attached to it.

5. The pressure-sensitive label according to claim 4, further characterized in that the surface of the carrier layer that makes contact with the ink layer has a dyne level of less than approximately 32.

6. The pressure-sensitive label according to claim 1, further characterized in that the carrier layer includes a material selected from polypropylene and polyester.

7. The pressure-sensitive label according to claim 1, further characterized in that the carrier layer is selected from a virgin polypropylene film, silicone-coated paper lining, silicone-coated polyester film, polyester film, and biaxially oriented polypropylene film.

8. The pressure-sensitive label according to claim 2, further characterized in that the ink layer is a patterned ink layer.

9. The pressure-sensitive label according to claim 8, ci bQnn / Qznz / q / uili further characterized in that the patterned ink layer is positioned in register with the patterned adhesive layer.

10. The pressure-sensitive label according to claim 2, further characterized in that it also comprises a cold foil layer. 5 11. The pressure-sensitive label according to claim 10, further characterized in that the cold foil layer is positioned between the adhesive layer and the ink layer.

12. The pressure-sensitive label according to claim 11, further characterized in that the ink layer is a patterned ink layer.

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