Will a security label leave a mark when you remove it? It's one of the questions our sales team hears most often. The answer depends on the label — by design. Some leave clear evidence on the surface; others come away cleanly. The key is deciding where the evidence should remain: on the packaging or in the removed label itself.
Two types of security labels
Every tamper-evident security label is designed to reveal an attempt to open or remove it. When peeled away, its layers separate and a warning such as OPENED or VOID appears. The label cannot then be reapplied without leaving evidence. That principle is common to both types.
The difference is where the evidence remains. Some labels deliberately leave a warning layer on the surface; others reveal the warning within the removed label and leave the surface clean. These are known as high-residue and low-residue labels, or total-transfer and zero-transfer labels.
At Navacqs, Label Lock High Residue and TT-84 belong to the first group. Label Lock Low Residue, Label Lock Low Residue with Counterpart and ZT-88 belong to the second.
What stays behind?
With Label Lock High Residue, only the top layer lifts away. The lower layer stays attached to the surface, displaying OPENED. TT-84 works in much the same way, leaving an OPENED/VOID warning behind.
Label Lock High Residue Medium (30 x 98 mm)
Security Labels TT-84 19 x 100 mm
Label Lock Low Residue and ZT-88 work differently. The warning appears within the label, which comes away in one piece without leaving adhesive residue on the surface. Label Lock Low Residue with Counterpart offers the same clean removal, plus a detachable numbered section for record-keeping.
Label Lock Low Residu Medium (30 x 98 mm)
Security Labels ZT-88 30 x 78 mm
Why leaving a trace can be a good thing
Residue might sound like a drawback, but on shipping packaging it is often exactly what you want. A label that comes away cleanly can be discarded after opening, taking the evidence with it. A high-residue label leaves its warning on the box, envelope or film. The recipient can see that the shipment has been opened, even if the label itself is gone. That layer is not intended to be removed later.
Label Lock High Residue and TT-84 are therefore well suited to single-use packaging: cardboard boxes, envelopes containing confidential documents, medical product packaging and stretch-wrapped pallets.
In Europe, tamper-evident packaging is also a regulatory requirement for certain medicines. The EU Falsified Medicines Directive requires a device that makes tampering with the packaging of prescription medicines apparent. ISO 21976 sets out requirements and test methods for such tamper-verification features.
When the surface needs to stay clean
Equipment, doors and cabinets are a different matter. They may be inspected and resealed regularly, and should remain presentable. A permanent OPENED mark on a server, door or rented device is undesirable.
Low-residue labels are designed for smooth, hard surfaces such as metal, glass, rigid plastic and painted wood. When removed, the warning appears in the label, while the underlying item stays clean and ready to be resealed.
Four real-world examples
Server cabinet or meter cabinet
These cabinets are checked and resealed regularly. A zero-transfer label such as ZT-88 or Label Lock Low Residue provides visible evidence of interference without leaving marks on the cabinet.
Stretch-wrapped pallet
Label Lock High Residue adheres to stretch film. If someone tries to remove it, the OPENED warning stays on the film, making interference easy to spot when the pallet arrives.
Archive box containing records
The box is sealed and opened only at its destination. A total-transfer label such as TT-84 leaves a warning on the cardboard, so opening remains evident even if the original label is missing.
Issuing laptops to staff or students
A school or business issues laptops to employees or students. The numbered label goes on the laptop; its matching detachable counterpart is attached to the issue record. When the laptop is returned, staff can check for signs of opening and identify who had it. As the label leaves no adhesive residue, the device stays clean for the next user.
Label Lock Low Residue with Counterpart Medium (30 x 98 mm)
Getting the best results from a security label
Tamper-evident labels work best on clean, dry, grease-free surfaces. Allow 15–20 minutes after application for the adhesive to develop its full bond. Removing a label sooner may prevent the warning from appearing completely.
There are two temperatures to consider: the temperature when applying the label and the temperature during subsequent use. Once applied, Label Lock performs from -30 °C to +70 °C; ZT-88 and TT-84 from -10 °C to +40 °C. Label Lock is therefore the better choice for cold stores or outdoor use. Adhesives bond less effectively to cold surfaces, so apply a label to an item before moving it into a cold store. Always test on your own material first.
Choosing the right label
Match the label to the application:
Cardboard boxes, envelopes and disposable packaging: a total-transfer label such as Label Lock High Residue or TT-84.
Stretch-wrapped pallets: Label Lock High Residue.
Equipment, doors, cabinets and servers with smooth, hard surfaces: a zero-transfer label such as Label Lock Low Residue or ZT-88.
Equipment issue and tracking: Label Lock Low Residue with Counterpart.
Cold stores and outdoor use, from -30 °C to +70 °C: a suitable Label Lock version.
