Material check: What really lasts in industry? News | 25.02.2026

Put your labelling to the test: Which material can withstand industrial conditions? 

In theory, a label is just a data carrier. In practice, however, in industries such as steel and concrete, it is the crucial link in your entire logistics chain. If a label falls off in the outdoor warehouse, charred in the heat, or becomes illegible due to moisture, the process grinds to a halt. Therefore, the search for the right material is not a minor matter, but a question of process reliability. 

Companies often have to choose between three classic options. But which one really meets the requirements of your industry? 

The paper compromise: cheap can be expensive 

Paper labels are the standard in offices and clean mail order businesses, but they can be expensive. In harsh industrial environments, however, they quickly reach their physical limits. Moisture causes them to soften, dirt makes the barcode illegible, and UV radiation bleaches the information. 

People often try to solve this problem by using expensive additional solutions, such as putting paper tags in plastic sleeves to protect them from the weather. The result? A lot of extra manual work and high costs, which cancel out the low purchase price of paper. For automated logistics, paper is simply not fit for purpose in heavy industry. 

The metal solution: robust but rigid 

Metal labels, such as embossed sheet metal signs, are extremely durable. They can withstand extreme temperatures and are virtually indestructible. However, this robustness comes at the cost of flexibility. 

Metal signs are expensive to purchase and difficult to handle, and they cannot be printed on flexibly during operation. They also struggle to meet modern IT requirements: integrating RFID technology is significantly more complex and costly with metal carriers than with flexible materials. 

The intelligent middle ground: high-performance plastics 

At S+P Samson, we have been relying on specialised plastic labels for over 45 years because they bridge the gap between the two worlds. Our materials, such as the proven GRAPHIPLAST^® series, combine the best of both worlds: 

• Resistance like metal: They are tear-resistant, completely weatherproof and can even withstand aggressive chemicals or oils.
• Flexibility like paper: They can be easily labelled in standard printing systems and flexibly attached to products or containers. 

Conclusion: Process reliability is a key factor in decision-making 

In today's world of logistics automation, reliable data carriers are essential — ones that work without protective covers or compromises. Our special plastics are designed to be printed on directly during the production process and remain perfectly legible even after several months in an outdoor storage. 

With over four decades of experience in industrial labelling, we know that while the right material may cost slightly more than paper, it saves you many times that amount by avoiding downtime and manual rework.