Covid-19 Causes Tamper-Evident Labels Tick-up

Just a few short months ago, sustainable packaging and holographic effects were two label trends that were gaining popularity.  But since Covid-19 lockdowns began in March, we have seen noticeable shifts in the industry. This new “normal” of living through a pandemic has given rise to an increase in tamper-evident labels.

Since they are an important component in cannabis packaging, there was already some growth in this category. But now that restaurant/grocery deliveries and ecommerce have all dramatically surged, these seals are essential for consumer peace of mind.

According to research by adhesive and substrate provider Avery Dennison, since COVID-19 began, safety is top of mind for consumers.  Because of this concern, they report that most delivery orders use some sort of tamper-evident seal.

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Scary Start

This very functional security label has actually been around for decades.  It was born out of the infamous 1983 incident when someone laced Tylenol bottles with cyanide resulting in seven deaths.  That event led to the development an entire category of tamper-resistant packaging including the breakable plastic rings on beverages, individual seals on over-the-counter medications and tamper-evident labels.

Secure Solutions

Regardless if the material is film and paper stock, it is clear that tamper evident labels improve the security of any item by forming a seal that will indicate if someone has attempted to open it without permission.  They also act as an impactful visual deterrent.   Some options include:

Jar and Bag Seals: These basic pressure sensitive labels wrap around the top of your product to show that they have not been opened.  An added plus is that they provide extra space for branding.  Commonly used shapes include narrow rectangles, circles, square s, and barbells.

Perforated safety tabs: Functions as a seal by adding material, usually film, that overlaps with the lid or opening of a product. It’s attached using a perforation that rips from the main label when opened.   Cosmetic companies often use this for lip sticks, gloss, and balms.

Void Labels: Help identify a compromised item by leaving a message on both the label and the product that it is adhered to. When the label is removed from the substrate, it leaves an imprinted “void” pattern, which means it has been tampered with.

Neck Bands: Great for bottled products and are commonly used in the pharmaceutical, food & beverage, and health & beauty industries.  In addition to security, these heat shrinkable seals offer several benefits such as covering the fill line, increasing the design space, and helping to keep the cap and neck ring clean and dust free.

It has been almost 40 years since tamper-evident labels were first created.  It is clear that they are still playing a vital role today in helping consumers feel less anxious and more confident about their purchases.  Thinking of adding a tamper-evident label to your product?  Email samples@overnightlabels.com and we will send you a sample kit.