Reliable adhesion in transport and cooling
Until washing, the label stays on the container, even with condensation in the chiller cabinet.
Wash-off labels
Wash-off labels for returnable bottles and reusable containers
Wash-off labels hold during filling, transport and cooling and come away from the container in the washer. We print them in your design, with variable data on request.
Benefits for your application
The key selection benefits at a glance.
Comes off reliably in container washing
In the hot caustic bath of the washing line, the label releases from the container without manual work.
Label and adhesive separate cleanly
The adhesive comes off with the label instead of staying on the container as residue.
With your design and variable data
Up to 8 colours in flexo printing, plus batch, best before date or codes for traceability.
Washing conditions
What wash-off labels are designed for
Wash-off labels are made for containers that are refilled many times. In circulation the label carries brand, contents and batch. In the washing line the hot caustic solution releases label and adhesive from the glass or plastic, so the container goes cleanly into its next cycle.
Many bottle washers run with around 1.5 % caustic soda at about 80 °C. The label stays in the bath for several minutes until it releases from the container. A wash-off label is designed for conditions like these.
So tell us the concentration, temperature and dwell time of your line. With these we select material and adhesive to suit your washing process. Samples on the material of your choice show before the production run how the label behaves on your container.
Applications
Typical applications
Returnable bottles for breweries and beverage producers
Beer, water and juice bottles go through filling and washing many times and need a fresh label in every cycle. More on beverage requirements is on the page Beverage labels.
Returnable and deposit jars for dairies and food
Yoghurt, milk and preserve jars carry variety and best before date and come back to filling after cleaning.
Reusable crates and logistics boxes
In internal and shared loops the label shows contents and destination and comes off in crate washing before the next use.
Containers in catering and canteen kitchens
Food containers and transport boxes are washed every day and relabelled for new contents.
Reusable containers in laboratories and industry
Sample vessels and transport containers are cleaned after use and then labelled again.
Comparison
Wash-off, removable or waterproof?
A removable label is peeled off by hand. A waterproof label is meant not to come off in water. A wash-off label releases deliberately in container washing. That a label comes off in the washer does not on its own make the packaging recyclable; that depends on the whole construction.
More products
Related labels
Quality you can verify
Our certifications & partnerships
- EcoVadisSilver rating · Top 15% (September 2026)
- ClimatePartnerClimate contribution available per order
- ISO 9001Quality management
- ISO 14001:2015Environmental management (QAS International) · Certificate no. GMEN1114
- VskE memberlabels association
- FSC® C006747Responsible forestry
- EN 16247-1Energy audit
Contact
Enquire about wash-off labels for your loop
Tell us the container, format, quantity and the conditions of your washing line. We suggest material and adhesive and send you samples for testing.
Contact form
We will get back to you within one business day.