Self-destructive labels are a special type of labels that cannot be removed without damaging the substrate to which they have been attached. They belong to the group of security or tamper-evident labels that are used to indicate if a product has been opened or manipulated. The visible damage shows the user that there has been (attempted) access to the product or packaging.
Self-destructive labels are used to prevent product counterfeiting.
When a self-destructive label is applied on a product, it cannot be removed without being destroyed in the process. As a result, it becomes impossible to remove the label and reapply it on a counterfeit product.
Self-destructive labels are not the only type of label used to prevent product counterfeiting. Other labels are also used for this purpose, including:
Self-destructive labels are manufactured using permanent adhesives. These adhesives prevent the label from being easily removed. In case someone tries to remove it, the label crumbles apart, leaving visible fragments that are extremely difficult to remove from the package. As a result, the risk of counterfeiting significantly decreases.
Because of the purpose they serve, the manufacturing of self-destructive labels slightly differs from how other labels are produced. The usage of permanent adhesives is a clear example of how the manufacturing process differs.
The application of self-destructive labels may also require the use of a special labeling machine such as a tamper evident label dispenser.