Films that do not absorb water
PP, PE or PET film and synthetic paper stay dimensionally stable, even when wet for a long time.
Printed labels
Waterproof labels for condensation, splash water and outdoor use
Film labels that do not absorb water, with protective varnish over the print and an adhesive for damp or cold surfaces.
Benefits for your application
The key selection benefits at a glance.
Protection for the print
Protective varnish or laminate protects ink and text against abrasion, wiping and cleaning agents.
Adhesive for the labelling condition
There are dedicated adhesives for damp, cold or frozen surfaces.
Samples under your conditions
A sample on the original container shows how the label copes with your water, cleaning and storage.
Product
Waterproof labels from Hummel Print
Waterproof labels are made of plastic film instead of paper. The film does not absorb water, does not swell and does not tear when wet. Protective varnish or laminate keeps the print legible, and a suitable adhesive holds the label even on a cold or damp surface. Hummel Print matches these three parts to your application.
- Material: white or transparent PP, PE or PET film, synthetic paper on request
- Protection: varnish or laminate over the print
- Adhesive: suited to the substrate and the condition at labelling, also for deep-freeze
- Printing: up to eight colours, spot colours and opaque white
- Data: batch, numbers and codes as variable printing
- Supply: on rolls for dispenser and labelling machine, die-cut to your contour
Applications
Which applications?
- Beverages: condensation, ice bucket and chiller, more on beverage labels
- Cosmetics: shower gel, shampoo and bath products, see cosmetics labels
- Cleaning and household products: spray bottles and jerrycans handled with wet hands
- Chemicals and hazardous goods: GHS labels on drums and jerrycans; for sea transport the IMDG Code requires marking that remains legible after three months in sea water, demonstrated for example to BS 5609
- Horticulture: pot and plant labels that are watered and stand outdoors
- Chilled and frozen goods: fish, meat and ice cream, often labelled damp or frosted
- Laboratory and medical: sample tubes and vessels in a water bath or fridge
- Industry and outdoor use: machines, containers and rating plates exposed to rain and dirt
Terms
Waterproof, water-resistant, watertight
These terms have no uniform test condition. A label can withstand condensation and splash water without being made for permanent immersion. Fresh water, ice water, cleaning solution and salt water act differently. The better medium, duration and temperature are known, the more precisely the build can be chosen. If a label is meant to come off in a washing process, then wash-off labels are the right choice.
Selection guide
Which version suits the water exposure?
| Exposure | Version | What matters |
|---|---|---|
| Condensation | film with adhesive for damp surfaces | time of chilling, labelled dry or wet |
| Splash water and wiping | film with protective varnish | abrasion, cleaning agents, frequency |
| Ice water and immersion | film with laminate | duration, temperature, edges |
| Outdoors | PET or PP film with laminate | rain, UV light, temperature and dirt |
| Deep-freeze | film with deep-freeze adhesive | labelling in the cold or on frost |
| Sea water | build tested to BS 5609 | tested combination of material, print and adhesive |
Testing
Reading test standards correctly
FINAT FTM 17 describes a water immersion test, BS 5609 the suitability of printed labels for the marine environment. Both apply only to the tested combination of material, print and adhesive and only to the tested exposure. A result for splash water does not prove permanent immersion. For oil and grease, the oil and grease resistant labels page is the right complement, and for food in the chiller the food labels page.
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
Request waterproof labels for your conditions
Describe the water or medium, duration, temperature, substrate and the condition at labelling. We propose material, protection and adhesive and provide samples on the original container.
Contact form
We will get back to you within one business day.