Semi-Gloss Coated Paper Label Material
The workhorse coated-paper facestock for barcode, logistics and retail labels — 78 gsm, glassine-lined, in stock as jumbo rolls.
What is semi-gloss label paper?
Semi-gloss label paper — also called coated art paper or WPM — is a wood-free base paper with a clay coating on the print side that gives a satin (semi-gloss) finish. The coating holds ink on the surface instead of letting it sink into the fibre, which produces sharp barcode bars, dense solids and consistent colour across long runs. It is the most widely used self-adhesive label paper in the world.
A typical construction is 78 gsm semi-gloss facestock, general-purpose permanent acrylic adhesive and a 60–65 gsm glassine liner. That combination die-cuts cleanly, dispenses at high line speeds and prints on flexo, offset, letterpress, digital and thermal transfer presses without a special topcoat.
Technical specifications
| Facestock | Coated semi-gloss paper, 70 / 78 / 80 gsm |
|---|---|
| Caliper (face) | 68 – 78 µm |
| Brightness | ≥ 88% ISO |
| Adhesive options | Permanent acrylic (GP), removable, hotmelt high-tack, freezer |
| Adhesive coat weight | 18 – 22 g/m² |
| Liner | White or yellow glassine 60 / 65 gsm; PET 23 µm on request |
| Total caliper | approx. 150 µm (78 gsm face + GP acrylic + 65 gsm glassine) |
| Service temperature | -20 °C to +80 °C (permanent acrylic) |
| Minimum application temp. | +5 °C |
| Roll format | Jumbo up to 1,070 mm; slit rolls from 20 mm, 3" or 6" core |
Values are typical for standard constructions and are not a guaranteed specification. Ask for the datasheet for tolerances and test methods.
Typical applications
- Thermal transfer barcode and asset labels
- Carton, pallet and warehouse labels
- Retail price, weigh-scale and promotional labels
- Dry-goods food labels and multipack stickers
- General product labels printed flexo or digital
Frequently asked questions
- Is semi-gloss paper suitable for thermal transfer printing?
- Yes. Semi-gloss is the standard thermal transfer paper stock. Pair it with a wax or wax/resin ribbon; use resin ribbons only where extra smudge and scratch resistance is required.
- What adhesive should I choose for corrugated cartons?
- Use a high-tack hotmelt rather than general-purpose acrylic. Corrugated board is porous and often dusty, and hotmelt builds bond faster on rough, low-energy surfaces.
- What is the shelf life of the material?
- One year from production when stored at 20–25 °C and 50–55% relative humidity in the original packaging, away from direct sunlight.
- Can I get semi-gloss with a removable adhesive?
- Yes. Removable acrylic peels cleanly from most rigid, non-porous surfaces for up to 12 months. On corrugated or recycled board a removable adhesive will usually tear the fibre, so test first.
Related materials and guides
Request a quote or a free sample
Send us your facestock, adhesive, liner and roll specification. Low MOQ, OEM/ODM, export to 60+ countries.