FACESTOCK Labels
Coated face material for the label industry
Sihl coats films and specialty products and serves the self-adhesive industry worldwide, with the goal of being the preferred partner for V.I.P. and specialty coatings. This is evidenced by its innovative products, the expertise of its teams, and the reliability of its production.
The product line meets all requirements for:
Printing – for variable information printing (V.I.P.) using inkjet, laser, or thermal transfer
Appearance – glossy, matte, satin, transparent, opaque
Adaptability – stretchable FACESTOCK material for conformable packaging. New: PE film grades are conformable and squeezable—ideal for curved and squeezable containers
Durability – long-lasting and resistant to environmental factors and chemicals
Security – counterfeit-proof
Sustainability – low carbon footprint. New: PPWR-friendly monomaterial solutions with PE film
Certification – in accordance with BS5609 Section 3 and UL/CSA
PE Film FACESTOCK: Flexible label films for PPWR-compliant packaging
Sihl is expanding its FACESTOCK product line to include PE base films with an aqueous AQ inkjet coating. PE film is significantly more stretchable and less rigid than traditional BOPP or PET films, making it particularly suitable for labels on curved, crushable, or small-format containers. As a single-material solution, PE film also meets the requirements of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) for recyclable packaging.
Three characteristics that distinguish PE film from standard films
Conformable
Labels conform to curved surfaces without wrinkling.
Squeezable
The label conforms to any deformation that occurs when the container is squeezed, without wrinkling.
Low stiffness
Ideal for small labels on small diameters; offers an advantage over BOPP or PET in this regard.
Four New AQ Inkjet Coatings for PE Films
- IHG1 – Gloss Coating: excellent print quality for maximum product appeal
- IG1 – Satin Coating: excellent print quality with an elegant satin finish
- IM1 – Matt Universal: an all-around solution for indoor applications
- ZM1 – Matt BS5609: water and chemical resistant, ideal for outdoor use
P.O.D. Inkjet - PPWR-compatible
Print on Demand (P.O.D.) on PE containers is now possible for the first time in this range with the new AQ Inkjet Coatings. This reduces inventory levels and minimum order quantities, and – thanks to its monomaterial base – is both sustainable and future-proof with regard to the PPWR.
Applications:
- Beverages & Home and Personal Care (e.g., squeeze bottles)
- Chemicals & Industrial (canisters, containers)
- Pharmaceuticals (pill bottles, small containers)
FACESTOCK for Food Contact
When products come into contact with food, their quality is particularly important. To ensure this, health authorities have established mandatory requirements that must be met in order to market such products.
For Sihl, ensuring product quality is particularly important, which is why GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) is integrated into its processes. This ensures both product quality and compliance with the requirements of health authorities.
The combination of GMP and migration testing enables Sihl to issue a Declaration of Compliance (DoC). Qualified FACESTOCK varieties are marked accordingly in the product description.
Environmentally Conscious FACESTOCK
Environmental protection is becoming increasingly important, and Sihl is therefore committed to ensuring greater sustainability in its products: Through the sustainable use of resources, the total weight of some FACESTOCK varieties has been reduced by 20–40 percent. The ability to use two printing technologies – inkjet and laser – leads to lower transportation and storage costs and, consequently, to an improved carbon footprint.
For PET-based products, the base film can be replaced with one containing up to 90% PCR content. PCR, or post-consumer recycling, is the reprocessing of plastic waste generated by consumers in households and offices.
With the new PE base films, Sihl is expanding this commitment to sustainability to include a monomaterial solution: PE film labels meet the requirements of the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) for recyclable packaging and—unlike composite materials—are easier to process in the existing PE recycling stream.
Through these measures, Sihl is significantly improving the carbon footprint of the FACESTOCK product line.
Download
Interview with Product Category Manager Patrick Gazut on FACESTOCK, sustainability, and product innovations.
You are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.
More InformationFACESTOCK Coatings
Sihl’s FACESTOCK coatings were developed to meet the requirements of variable information printing (V.I.P.) technologies:
- Dry toner systems for laser printers
- Wax, resin, and resin ribbons for thermal transfer
Water-based and solvent-based systems for inkjet
-
FACESTOCK for Lasers (Dry Toner)
Sihl laser topcoats can often do more than just “laser” printing. Some of them are printable with aqueous inkjet inks, while others are suitable for thermal transfer printing and outdoor use. Many of the products are designed for sheet-fed and roll-fed laser printers.
More information here: FACESTOCK Labels for Laser
Options:
- Thermal stabilization
- Security features
- Coated back
- Opaque back
Laser coatings for FACESTOCK offer:
- Good toner adhesion
- Bright and true colors
- Good sheet feed
- International certifications (UL, CSA, BS 5609) are available
-
FACESTOCK for Thermal Transfer
Sihl coatings for thermal transfer printing guarantee sharp, smudge-proof, and chemical-resistant prints. Some of these grades are UL/CSA-certified by customers as self-adhesive products.
Options:
- Pre-shrunk / thermally stabilized films
- Security features
- Coated backside
- Opaque backside
Thermal transfer coatings offer:
- Good adhesion to resin or resin/wax inks
- Good chemical resistance
- Good outdoor durability
- International certifications (UL, CSA) are available
-
FACESTOCK for Aqueous Inkjet
Sihl has many years of experience in developing inkjet coatings for specific and demanding applications. This product line offers the most versatile FACESTOCK media for self-adhesive applications. Depending on the base film used, some grades can be used for both water-based inkjet and laser printing.
New to the lineup: four AQ inkjet coatings (IHG1, IG1, IM1, ZM1) specifically designed for PE base films – conformable and squeezable for flexible, PPWR-compatible label solutions. See the PE Film FACESTOCK section for more details.
Options:
- Thermal stabilization
- Security features
- Coated backside
- Opaque backside
Inkjet coatings for FACESTOCK offer:
- High resolution
- High print speeds
- Smudge-resistant prints
- Sharp prints
- Vibrant colors
FACESTOCK General Information
FACESTOCKS – that is, coated face materials – are not only used in the label industry. FACESTOCK materials are also used in the VISCOM, tape, and industrial applications sectors.
Sihl has already established itself in the FACESTOCK labels market segment and also offers media for the VISCOM sector. The company’s in-house research and development department is working on solutions for the other segments.
Market Segments in the Label Industry
Sihl offers durable FACESTOCK films for demanding applications: for the production of product or VIP labels in the following application segments: logistics, A4 cut size, retail, the oil and chemical industry, durables, home and personal care, as well as pharmaceuticals, food, and beverages. These films offer processing properties comparable to those of standard films. No process changes are required.
Some of the films are even suitable for two printing technologies. This saves on storage costs and has a sustainable impact on the carbon footprint through lower consumption and reduced transportation.
Associations
VskE
The VskE addresses important issues that affect all companies in the label market equally. Its primary focus is on promoting the industry and supporting its member companies.
Read more
FINAT
FINAT is the European association for the self-adhesive label industry. It also covers related technologies for narrow-web product decoration and labeling.
Read moreFrequently Asked Questions About FACESTOCK PE Film and PPWR
-
What is FACESTOCK PE film?
FACESTOCK PE film is a new base film in the Sihl product line: a PE film with an aqueous AQ inkjet coating that is significantly more stretchable and less rigid than BOPP or PET, allowing it to conform to curved and flexible containers.
-
What does PPWR-friendly mean?
The EU Packaging Regulation (PPWR) requires, among other things, recyclable single-material packaging. Since PE film labels are made of a single type of plastic, they are easier to process in the PE recycling stream than composite materials.
-
For which types of packaging is PE film more suitable than BOPP or PET?
For flexible, squeezable containers such as tubes, squeeze bottles, or small cans – this is where the greater rigidity of BOPP and PET reaches its limits.
-
Which coating is best suited for which application?
IHG1 (Gloss) for maximum product appeal, IG1 (Satin) for an elegant look, IM1 (Matte) as an indoor all-rounder, and ZM1 (Matte BS5609) for water- and chemical-resistant outdoor applications.
-
Is print-on-demand possible with PE film?
Yes. AQ Inkjet Coatings are specifically designed for aqueous inkjet printing and enable print-on-demand (P.O.D.) even on PE-based films.
Contact
Do you have any questions or requests regarding FACESTOCK?
If so, we’d love to hear from you.
