Freezer-Grade Labels: What You Need to Know

How to ensure your labels perform under cold, frozen, and fluctuating temperature conditions.

When your products are stored, transported, or displayed in cold or frozen environments, a standard label won’t be enough. Failing labels can peel, fade, or lose adhesion — putting product traceability, compliance, and presentation at risk.

That’s where freezer-grade labels come in.

In this guide, we’ll explain:

• What makes a label freezer-grade

• The key materials and adhesives you should look for

• Best practices for applying and printing freezer labels

• How Tekna Impact can help you get it right

What Is a Freezer-Grade Label?

A freezer-grade label is designed to remain firmly attached and fully legible at temperatures typically below 32°F (0°C), and often as low as -40°F (-40°C), depending on the use case.

These labels are built with:

• Cold-resistant adhesives that maintain tack even on frosty or damp surfaces

• Durable face stocks (synthetic or coated papers) that don’t crack, peel, or smear

• Thermal transfer or direct thermal compatibility depending on printing needs

• Moisture-resistant coatings or laminates for added protection

Industry	Use Case	Label Requirements
Food & Beverage	Frozen meals, ice cream, frozen produce	FDA-compliant materials, low-temp adhesives, food-safe face stocks
Logistics	Cold chain storage, refrigerated containers	Permanent adhesion, barcode readability, thermal compatibility
Pharmaceuticals	Vaccines, lab samples, cryo storage	-20°C to -80°C resistance, chemical durability, synthetic stocks
Cosmetics	Chilled serums, masks	Print durability, elegant finishes, flexibility for curved packaging
Meat & Protein Packaging	Vacuum sealed meats, frozen poultry	Strong adhesion on wet or cold film, flexographic print resistance

Label Adhesives: Not All Are Created Equal

Choosing the right adhesive is critical. For freezer-grade performance, you need:

• Acrylic-based adhesives: Best for extreme cold, long-term storage

• Rubber-based adhesives: Good initial tack, but may struggle at very low temps

• FDA-compliant adhesives: Essential for food contact and packaging

Note: Labels applied after freezing require different tack properties than those applied before freezing. Ask us which is right for your process.

Printing on Freezer Labels

You can print on freezer-grade labels using:

Thermal Transfer Printing

• Best for long-term durability

• Use with wax/resin or resin ribbons

• Works well on synthetic or coated papers

Direct Thermal Printing

• Suitable for short-term use

• Sensitive to heat/light over time

• Must use direct thermal compatible freezer stocks

Tekna Impact provides CLEAN START® ribbons and label stocks optimized for freezer-grade performance.

5 Tips for Successful Freezer Labeling

• Choose materials tested for your exact temperature range

• Clean and dry surfaces before applying labels

• Apply labels before freezing, when possible

• Use print technologies that resist moisture and abrasion

• Work with a supplier who understands cold chain logistics

Why Choose Tekna Impact for Freezer-Grade Labels

With over 30 years of experience and ISO 9001:2015 certification, Tekna Impact helps businesses in the U.S. and Mexico ensure their products are labeled accurately and securely — even at freezing temperatures.

We offer:

• FDA-compliant materials

• Freezer-grade adhesives

• Flexographic or thermal printing

• Pre-printed or blank options

• Cold chain labeling systems (labels + printers + software)

Based in McAllen, Texas, serving logistics centers, food producers, maquilas and cold storage facilities across the border.

Need freezer-grade labels that won’t fail?

Get expert support from a team that understands your environment, your packaging, and your compliance requirements.

Call us at +1 (956) 213-8285 or write us