Resealable pouches are designed to make everyday products easier to store and use. But anyone who has handled a pouch of protein powder, flour or pet food knows that a closure is only helpful when it seals properly and feels secure.

A triple-lock zipper adds an extra dimension to the resealable pouch experience. With three interlocking locks, a noticeable closing sensation and a higher holding force, this type of closure is designed to help consumers recognize when they have closed the package while supporting product protection between uses.

How Does a Triple-Lock Zipper Work?

A triple-lock zipper uses three interlocking profiles rather than relying on a single locking interface. Pressing the zipper closed engages the profiles, creating a tight, repeatable closure. In Fortis Solutions Group’s XTRA SENSORY triple-lock design, the zipper also produces an audible click and tactile feedback.

That sensory response serves a practical purpose: consumers can both hear and feel the closure engaging. It offers a more noticeable signal than a smooth zipper with little closing feedback. The zipper itself is only one part of the package, however; the pouch film, heat seals and the way the package is used all contribute to overall performance.

What Are the Benefits of a Triple-Lock Zipper?

Audible and Tactile Closure Feedback

A zipper that clicks as it closes helps users recognize when they have pressed the profiles together. Fortis’s XTRA SENSORY zipper is designed to create that audible and tactile response, giving consumers more confidence in the closing experience.

Stronger Holding Force

A closure with greater holding force can help resist unwanted separation or gapping, particularly in larger or heavier flexible pouches. Fortis reports an average product-side holding force of 4.5 kg per 50 mm for its triple-lock zipper. Actual finished-package performance depends on pouch construction and intended use.

Freshness Protection Between Uses

Resealable packaging helps limit exposure after a package is first opened. Three interlocking locks are intended to provide a tight barrier along the closure, which can be valuable for dry products that need protection during storage. Freshness and shelf-life performance still depend on the barrier properties of the film, the pouch seals, filling conditions and proper closure.

A Sealing Design That Works with Lower Heat

For converters, zipper performance is not only about what the consumer feels. The closure also needs to integrate into the pouch-making process. Fortis describes easy-crush locks and an enhanced sealant layer engineered for lower-heat sealing, helping reduce distortion in PE-based film structures. The appropriate sealing settings vary by film and equipment.

Can Triple-Lock Zippers Be Used in Recyclable Pouches?

Yes, certain triple-lock zippers are designed to work within PE-recyclable pouch constructions. Fortis’s triple-lock zipper is described as recyclable as a component of a compatible polyethylene pouch, supporting packaging development that considers performance and material compatibility together.

That does not mean every finished pouch is automatically recyclable. The full film structure, inks, adhesives, other package components and the recycling systems available to consumers all influence end-of-life options. The zipper should be considered as part of the complete package design, not as a stand-alone recyclability claim.

Learn more about how Fortis evaluates materials, recyclability and real-world performance through its Sustainable Packaging resources.

Read More About Sustainable Packaging →

Which Products Can Benefit from a Triple-Lock Zipper?

The Fortis XTRA SENSORY triple-lock zipper is designed for several dry-product applications, including protein and supplement powders, flour and baking mixes, dry blends, pet food and nutraceuticals.

These products are often stored and opened repeatedly. A pouch that can be resealed confidently may make routine use more convenient. Suitability still depends on factors such as fill weight, product particles, exposure conditions, film structure and the pouch format.

For brands evaluating resealable pouches in these categories, closure design is one decision to make alongside barrier selection, pouch shape, printing and filling compatibility.

Triple-Lock Zipper Specifications: What Should Packaging Teams Review?

Fortis’s June 2026 XTRA SENSORY product sheet lists the following specifications for this particular closure:

• Design: Triple-lock zipper with rib sealant layer

• Width: 17.0 mm ± 0.5 mm

• Sealing range: 200–280°F, depending on equipment and film

• Holding force: 4.5 kg per 50 mm on average, measured on the product side

• Positioning: Four-rib end toward the consumer side

• Food contact: Listed as suitable in the Fortis product sheet; confirm intended-use requirements for the finished package

These specifications describe the Fortis closure rather than triple-lock zippers generally. Before selecting a structure, packaging teams should confirm sealing compatibility and evaluate the finished pouch under actual processing and use conditions.

Choosing the Right Zipper for Your Flexible Pouch

A closure can affect both the way a package performs and how consumers experience it. When comparing options, consider the product and fill weight, how often the package will be opened, the desired closing feel, the film construction, and any recyclability objectives.

A triple-lock design may be a good fit when a strong, noticeable reseal is an important feature. It works best when chosen as part of the overall pouch design—not as an isolated component.

Explore Fortis Solutions Group’s Flexible Packaging solutions to learn more about pouch formats, materials and resealable features, or contact the Fortis team to discuss your application.

Read More About Flexible Packaging →

Discuss Your Packaging Project →

Choosing a PET bottle is only one part of designing packaging with recyclability in mind. The label is part of the package, too.

For pressure sensitive labels, the facestock, adhesive, inks, coatings and other components can influence how the package behaves when it reaches the recycling stream. That means the question isn’t simply whether a label is “recyclable.” Brands need to consider how the complete label construction works with the PET container throughout its useful life and at end of life.

So how do you get the branding, functionality and performance benefits of a pressure sensitive label without overlooking PET recycling?

Why the Label Matters in PET Recycling

PET packaging is sorted, processed into flake and washed as part of the recycling process. What happens to the label during those steps matters.

The Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) identifies adhesive behavior as one important consideration. Adhesives that wash cleanly from PET and remain with the label are preferred, while adhesive that stays on the PET or redeposits during washing can become a source of contamination or discoloration in recycled PET.

This is why a recyclable PET container should not be evaluated independently from its decoration. The label, adhesive and printed components are all part of the package design.

It’s Not Just the Label Material

A label film may get most of the attention, but recycling compatibility depends on more than the facestock.

Facestock

The label material needs to be evaluated based on how it behaves during the applicable PET recycling process. Film type, density and the rest of the label construction can influence separation.

Adhesive

The adhesive has two jobs that can pull in different directions: it needs to keep the label securely attached throughout the product’s useful life, while a recycling-aligned construction may also need to release appropriately during PET recycling processing.

Inks and Coatings

Ink systems, varnishes, coatings, laminations and heavy decoration can affect the complete construction. They should be evaluated alongside the label film and adhesive rather than treated as purely aesthetic choices.

The Container

The same label construction may not be the right answer for every package. Container resin, product environment, application requirements and recycling objectives all need to be considered together.

The takeaway is simple: recyclability is a package-design question, not just a material-selection question.

How Wash-Off Pressure Sensitive Labels Work

Wash-off pressure sensitive labels are designed to address one of the challenges that labels can create in PET recycling.

Fortis Solutions Group’s RENEW™ RFP-02 pressure sensitive label solution uses a water-based wash-off adhesive designed to separate from the PET substrate during the water-bath stage at the recycler. Fortis offers the construction with clear, white and metallized film face materials.

The RENEW™ data sheet also lists an option for a liner made with 90% post-consumer recycled PET. That recycled-content liner is a separate sustainability attribute from the recycling compatibility of the finished PET package; both can matter, but they describe different parts of the packaging system.

Fortis’ current technical documentation identifies RENEW™ RFP-02 as recognized by the Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR). As with any package, the final construction still matters. Inks, varnishes, laminations and other additions can affect recycling performance and should be evaluated as part of the complete design.

Designing Pressure Sensitive Labels With PET Recycling in Mind

A better sustainability conversation starts with the actual package and how it needs to perform.

When evaluating a pressure sensitive label for a PET container, consider:

• What type of PET container is being labeled?
• Which facestock and film construction fit the package and recycling objectives?
• How will the adhesive behave during the recycling wash process?
• Could inks, coatings, varnishes or laminations affect the construction?
• What does the label need to withstand during use, such as moisture, refrigeration, abrasion or chemical exposure?
• Will the label work with the existing application equipment and production requirements?
• Has the complete package been evaluated against current APR guidance?

Fortis can help brands review these variables together, including wash-off or recycling-aligned adhesives, film constructions, ink and coating considerations, PET compatibility and relevant APR guidance.

What Does APR Compatibility Mean?

Terms such as “APR certified,” “APR recognized,” “recyclable” and “recycling compatible” should not be used interchangeably.

APR publishes design guidance and testing protocols intended to evaluate how packaging designs and components perform in plastics recycling systems. The appropriate claim depends on the specific construction and the recognition or testing it has actually received.

For example, Fortis’ current RENEW™ RFP-02 solution is recognized by APR. The same data sheet also notes that laminations, varnishes, inks and additives can affect package recyclability and recommends testing to APR guidelines.

For brands, that distinction is useful. Instead of asking only, “Is this a recyclable label?” ask how the complete label and container construction aligns with the relevant recycling guidance.

Performance Still Matters

A pressure sensitive label designed with recycling in mind still has to perform as a label.

Depending on the application, it may need to maintain adhesion through refrigeration or moisture exposure, resist abrasion, preserve print quality, withstand contact with oils or chemicals, or run efficiently on existing application equipment.

Shelf appeal matters, too. Brands should not have to treat sustainability and design as unrelated conversations. Materials, adhesives, inks, coatings and finishes can be evaluated together to find a construction that supports both the package’s in-use requirements and its end-of-life goals.

Build the Label Around the Whole Package

There is no single pressure sensitive label construction that solves every PET packaging challenge.

Fortis works with brands to evaluate the container, label material, adhesive, printing, decoration and application requirements as a system. For brands exploring PET recyclability, RENEW™ wash-off pressure sensitive labels provide one option designed specifically around PET container recycling.

Explore Fortis’ Labels / Pressure Sensitive Labels capabilities, RENEW™ Sustainable Packaging solutions and broader Sustainability resources to learn more about building a label around the needs of the complete package.

Related Resource:
More Than a Pretty Label: How Pressure Sensitive Labels Combine Shelf Appeal and Functionality

FAQs About Pressure Sensitive Labels and PET Recycling

Are pressure sensitive labels recyclable?

It depends on the complete package. Facestock, adhesive, inks, coatings, container resin and the applicable recycling process can all affect recycling compatibility. A pressure sensitive label should be evaluated as part of the full packaging construction.

Can pressure sensitive labels be used on recyclable PET bottles?

Yes. Pressure sensitive labels can be designed for PET applications with recycling considerations in mind. Material selection, adhesive behavior, ink and coating choices, and the final package construction all matter.

What is a wash-off adhesive?

A wash-off adhesive is designed to release appropriately from the container during specified recycling wash conditions. For PET recycling, the objective is to prevent adhesive from remaining on or redepositing onto PET flake during processing.

Does APR certify pressure sensitive labels?

APR provides design guidance, testing protocols and recognition programs for packaging designs and components. Rather than assuming a label is broadly “APR certified,” brands should confirm the exact APR status of the specific construction and evaluate the complete package against current guidance.

Talk to Fortis About Pressure Sensitive Labels for PET

Looking for a pressure sensitive label that supports your packaging performance and sustainability goals? Fortis can help evaluate materials, adhesives, printing, decoration and application requirements alongside the end-of-life considerations of your PET package.

Talk to a Label Expert →

For some products, packaging has to do more than hold the product and carry the brand. It also plays a role in protecting what is inside.

Vitamins and supplements are one example. Depending on the formulation, light exposure may be a consideration in product stability and shelf-life requirements. Brands may address that through a colored or opaque container—but the bottle does not have to be evaluated separately from the rest of the package.

For applicable package designs, Fortis can help evaluate shrink-sleeve approaches intended to limit light penetration. That creates an interesting question for brands: could a clear container and a light-limiting shrink sleeve work together as the protective and decorative packaging system?

The answer depends on the product.

Why Light Protection Matters

Light can affect the stability of certain ingredients and formulations. The amount of protection required varies based on the product, the wavelengths involved, expected exposure, distribution conditions and required shelf life.

That makes “light barrier” a performance requirement, not simply a packaging feature.

Before changing a bottle or sleeve, a brand needs to understand what the product actually requires. A vitamin or supplement that is particularly sensitive to light may need a different package construction than a product with limited sensitivity.

The package should be built around those requirements—not the other way around.

Why Brands Use Colored Or Opaque Containers

Colored and opaque containers can serve a functional purpose by helping control how much light reaches the product.

That means bottle color is not always an aesthetic decision. It may be part of the product-protection strategy.

Brands have traditionally addressed light sensitivity through colored or opaque containers. However, product protection can also be evaluated at the package-system level rather than through the bottle alone.

But packaging requirements rarely stay static. Brands may want to reconsider container choices because of sourcing, SKU complexity, design flexibility, recyclability goals or evolving Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) considerations.

If the container changes, however, the product still needs the required protection. That protection has to be addressed elsewhere in the finished package.

Can The Shrink Sleeve Become Part Of The Barrier Strategy?

A full-body shrink sleeve covers substantially more of a container than a conventional front-and-back label. That coverage creates opportunities beyond decoration.

Fortis can help evaluate shrink-sleeve options designed to limit light penetration for applicable package designs. For some brands, that may create an opportunity to evaluate a clear container paired with a sleeve that contributes to the required light protection.

Depending on the coating technology and package design, shrink sleeves can be engineered to reduce UV transmission, visible light transmission, or both.

The important word is “evaluate.”

A shrink sleeve should not be assumed to replace a colored or opaque bottle simply because it covers the container. The required protection depends on the formulation, container, sleeve construction, coverage and shelf-life requirements.

The effectiveness of a shrink sleeve light-barrier solution depends on the product’s sensitivity, barrier requirements, package geometry, and the level of light protection needed.

Clear Bottle + Shrink Sleeve: Why Brands Are Evaluating The Combination

Fortis is already working with customers evaluating whether they can move away from certain colored bottles and instead use clear containers paired with shrink sleeves.

There are several reasons the combination can be worth exploring.

A full-body sleeve provides 360-degree printable space, allowing the bottle and decoration to work together visually. A clear base container may also give brands another variable to evaluate as they consider sourcing, package design and SKU strategies.

A brand can potentially use one clear bottle, multiple SKUs, different graphics, and different barrier levels without maintaining separate colored bottle inventories.

For light-sensitive products, the sleeve can potentially take on an additional job: helping limit light penetration.

For some applications, a clear PET container paired with a specialty shrink sleeve may provide both product protection and the design flexibility of a transparent package platform.

The sustainability side requires more nuance. A clear container with a shrink sleeve is not automatically a more recyclable or lower-impact package. Bottle resin and color, sleeve material, ink system, coverage, separation behavior and the recycling infrastructure where the package is discarded can all affect the result.

Product Protection Comes First

A packaging redesign only works if the new package continues to protect the product as required.

Before moving from a colored or opaque bottle to a clear-container + shrink-sleeve construction, brands should establish the required light protection and validate the finished package against the product’s stability and shelf-life requirements.

That evaluation may include:

• Product or formulation sensitivity
• Required light-transmission performance
• Shelf-life targets
• Storage and distribution conditions
• Container material
• Sleeve construction and coverage
• Application and production requirements

Product testing should validate that the overall package system provides the required level of protection.

The sustainability or branding benefits of a packaging change do not outweigh product protection. Those goals have to work together.

Designing The Bottle And Shrink Sleeve As One Packaging System

The strongest package-design decisions happen when the bottle and sleeve are evaluated together.

Container material and shape affect sleeve selection and shrink performance. Sleeve coverage and construction affect decoration and potentially light exposure. Inks and finishes influence the visual result. Application equipment determines how the sleeve performs on the production line. Material choices can also influence recycling and EPR considerations.

Fortis approaches shrink sleeves around the finished package rather than treating the sleeve as a standalone label.

For a light-sensitive product, that means asking several questions at once: What does the formulation require? Which container is being used? How much coverage is needed? What sleeve construction will perform correctly? How will the package perform during production and distribution?

Learn more about Fortis shrink sleeve labels and how they can be evaluated as part of a complete packaging system.

How To Reduce EPR Packaging Fees Without Compromising Product Protection

Brands are under growing pressure to reduce packaging material, improve recyclability and account for packaging under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs.

That can make “use less packaging” sound like the obvious sustainability strategy. In reality, the equation is more complicated.

Packaging has a job. For food and other sensitive products, it may need to control moisture or oxygen, manage gas exchange, protect against light, maintain freshness or withstand a demanding distribution environment. Remove the wrong material or component and the result can be a shorter shelf life or more product waste.

A better goal is to optimize the package: understand what every component is doing, preserve the performance the product requires and identify where material, weight, complexity or EPR exposure can be reduced.

Start With The Job The Package Has To Do

Before asking how much material can be removed, ask what the package needs to accomplish.

Depending on the product, those requirements can include maintaining freshness and shelf life, providing moisture or oxygen barriers, protecting against light, surviving filling and distribution, running correctly on packaging equipment and communicating required information to the customer.

Those functions establish the baseline.

From there, brands can evaluate whether the same performance can be achieved with a lighter structure, different material, fewer components or a more recycling-compatible design.

Lightweighting is only successful if the redesigned package still does its job.

Less Packaging Doesn’t Always Mean Less Waste

Food makes the tradeoff particularly easy to see.

Packaging material has an environmental impact, but the food inside the package required resources to grow or manufacture, process, transport and store. If a packaging change causes that food to spoil sooner, reducing a few grams of packaging material may create another form of waste.

That does not mean every layer or component should stay. It means brands need to understand why it is there before removing it.

Several familiar food packages demonstrate just how much engineering can be hidden inside something consumers barely notice.

The Salad Bag Is A Packaging Science Problem

A bag of salad looks simple. The product inside it is not.

Fresh produce continues to respire after harvest, exchanging gases with the environment around it. Packaging for fresh produce can therefore be designed around factors such as gas transmission, moisture and the needs of the particular product.

The package has to create an environment that supports the required freshness and shelf life without preventing the produce from doing what it naturally does.

That makes a produce bag a useful lesson in packaging optimization. A film or layer should not be changed solely because it adds weight. First ask what performance it provides and whether a proposed alternative can deliver the same result.

Why Coffee Bags Have Degassing Valves

Coffee provides another example.

Freshly roasted coffee releases carbon dioxide after roasting. If that gas cannot escape, pressure can build inside a sealed package. At the same time, exposure to outside oxygen can work against freshness.

That is why many coffee packages use one-way degassing valves: they allow internal gas to escape while helping limit outside oxygen from entering the package.

The valve adds another component, but it is there for a reason.

For a brand looking to optimize a coffee package, the useful question is not simply, “Can we eliminate the valve?” It is, “What function is the valve performing, and how would the redesigned package provide that function?”

Fortis offers flexible packaging solutions that can incorporate degassing-valve requirements as part of the complete package design.

Pet Food Bags Show Why Package Structures Can Get Complicated

Pet food packaging can also combine several requirements in one structure.

The package may need to protect freshness, manage moisture and oxygen exposure, survive shipping and handling, and maintain product quality after the consumer brings it home. The original package also carries lot and date information that can be important if a product is recalled.

What looks like “extra packaging” may therefore represent several different functional requirements.

Where EPR Changes The Packaging Conversation

EPR adds a financial dimension to packaging design.

Under EPR programs, producers may be responsible for fees associated with the packaging they introduce into a market. The exact structure varies by jurisdiction, but material choices, package weight and design characteristics can become relevant to cost.

That makes packaging optimization more measurable.

Instead of asking only, “How can we use less packaging?” brands can ask:

What does this package need to do, and where can we reduce unnecessary material, weight or complexity without compromising performance?

Use Fortis’ EPR Calculator To Understand The Current Package

Fortis has developed an internal EPR fee calculator to help customers evaluate their packaging and understand potential fee exposure where calculator data is available.

The calculator is available through the Fortis customer portal and gives brands a practical starting point for packaging conversations.

A team can review the current package, enter the relevant packaging information and estimate applicable EPR fees. From there, Fortis can work with the customer to explore alternative packaging scenarios and identify where changes may make sense.

The calculator does not change the first rule of packaging design: protect the product.

Instead, it adds another data point to the decision. A lower-weight or lower-fee structure is useful only if it still delivers the barrier, shelf-life, production and distribution performance the product requires.

How Fortis Can Look For EPR Optimization Opportunities

Once a brand understands its current package and potential EPR exposure, the next step is to look for meaningful changes rather than simply remove material.

Depending on the application, opportunities may include:

• Eliminating packaging or components that are not necessary
• Lightweighting or right-sizing the package while maintaining performance
• Evaluating recycle-ready material structures
• Increasing post-consumer recycled content where appropriate
• Reviewing label materials and adhesives
• Reconsidering shrink-sleeve material or coverage
• Reducing coatings or laminations that are not required for package performance

Not every strategy applies to every package. The purpose of the exercise is to identify where the package can change without sacrificing what it needs to do.

Five Questions To Ask Before Lightweighting A Package

Before removing a layer, changing a material or redesigning a package, ask:

1. What Function Does Each Layer Or Component Perform?

A layer may provide barrier, strength, sealability, printability or another function that is not obvious from looking at the finished package.

2. What Happens To Product Protection Or Shelf Life If It Changes?

The answer should be based on the actual product and performance requirements.

3. Can The Same Performance Be Achieved With Less Material Or A Different Construction?

This is where material science and packaging expertise can create real optimization opportunities.

4. How Does The Change Affect Recyclability And EPR Fees?

Material weight is only one variable. The complete package design matters.

5. Will The New Package Work In The Real World?

The redesigned structure still needs to run on equipment, survive distribution, protect the product and perform for the consumer.

Optimize The Package, Not Just The Material

A salad bag manages conditions around a living, respiring product. A coffee valve addresses gas released after roasting. A pet food bag may combine barrier, storage and handling requirements in a single structure.

Those examples make an important point: packaging is not just material surrounding a product. It is a system designed to perform specific jobs.

EPR gives brands another reason to examine that system closely.

The opportunity is not to remove as much packaging as possible. It is to identify material or complexity that is not necessary, evaluate better alternatives and preserve the components that protect the product.

Work With Fortis On Packaging And EPR Optimization

Fortis can help brands evaluate both sides of the packaging equation.

Using its EPR calculator where available, Fortis can help customers understand potential packaging fees and identify opportunities to optimize materials, weight and design. At the same time, Fortis’ packaging expertise keeps the product’s actual performance requirements at the center of the conversation.

The result is a more useful sustainability question:

Not “How little packaging can we use?”

But “What is the most efficient package that still does everything this product needs?”

Talk to Fortis About Packaging Optimization

How to Reduce EPR Packaging Fees Without Compromising Product Protection

Brands are under growing pressure to reduce packaging material, improve recyclability and account for packaging under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) programs.

That can make “use less packaging” sound like the obvious sustainability strategy. In reality, the equation is more complicated.

Packaging has a job. For food and other sensitive products, it may need to control moisture or oxygen, manage gas exchange, protect against light, maintain freshness or withstand a demanding distribution environment. Remove the wrong material or component and the result can be a shorter shelf life or more product waste.

A better goal is to optimize the package: understand what every component is doing, preserve the performance the product requires and identify where material, weight, complexity or EPR exposure can be reduced.

Start With the Job the Package Has to Do

Before asking how much material can be removed, ask what the package needs to accomplish.

Depending on the product, those requirements can include maintaining freshness and shelf life, providing moisture or oxygen barriers, protecting against light, surviving filling and distribution, running correctly on packaging equipment and communicating required information to the customer.

Those functions establish the baseline.

From there, brands can evaluate whether the same performance can be achieved with a lighter structure, different material, fewer components or a more recycling-compatible design.

Lightweighting is only successful if the redesigned package still does its job.

Less Packaging Doesn’t Always Mean Less Waste

Food makes the tradeoff particularly easy to see.

Packaging material has an environmental impact, but the food inside the package required resources to grow or manufacture, process, transport and store. If a packaging change causes that food to spoil sooner, reducing a few grams of packaging material may create another form of waste.

That does not mean every layer or component should stay. It means brands need to understand why it is there before removing it.

Several familiar food packages demonstrate just how much engineering can be hidden inside something consumers barely notice.

The Salad Bag Is a Packaging Science Problem

A bag of salad looks simple. The product inside it is not.

Fresh produce continues to respire after harvest, exchanging gases with the environment around it. Packaging for fresh produce can therefore be designed around factors such as gas transmission, moisture and the needs of the particular product.

The package has to create an environment that supports the required freshness and shelf life without preventing the produce from doing what it naturally does.

That makes a produce bag a useful lesson in packaging optimization. A film or layer should not be changed solely because it adds weight. First ask what performance it provides and whether a proposed alternative can deliver the same result.

Why Coffee Bags Have Degassing Valves

Coffee provides another example.

Freshly roasted coffee releases carbon dioxide after roasting. If that gas cannot escape, pressure can build inside a sealed package. At the same time, exposure to outside oxygen can work against freshness.

That is why many coffee packages use one-way degassing valves: they allow internal gas to escape while helping limit outside oxygen from entering the package.

The valve adds another component, but it is there for a reason.

For a brand looking to optimize a coffee package, the useful question is not simply, “Can we eliminate the valve?” It is, “What function is the valve performing, and how would the redesigned package provide that function?”

Fortis offers flexible packaging solutions that can incorporate degassing-valve requirements as part of the complete package design.

Pet Food Bags Show Why Package Structures Can Get Complicated

Pet food packaging can also combine several requirements in one structure.

The package may need to protect freshness, manage moisture and oxygen exposure, survive shipping and handling, and maintain product quality after the consumer brings it home. The original package also carries lot and date information that can be important if a product is recalled.

What looks like “extra packaging” may therefore represent several different functional requirements.

Where EPR Changes the Packaging Conversation

EPR adds a financial dimension to packaging design.

Under EPR programs, producers may be responsible for fees associated with the packaging they introduce into a market. The exact structure varies by jurisdiction, but material choices, package weight and design characteristics can become relevant to cost.

That makes packaging optimization more measurable.

Instead of asking only, “How can we use less packaging?” brands can ask:

What does this package need to do, and where can we reduce unnecessary material, weight or complexity without compromising performance?

Use Fortis’ EPR Calculator to Understand the Current Package

Fortis has developed an internal EPR fee calculator to help customers evaluate their packaging and understand potential fee exposure where calculator data is available.

The calculator is available through the Fortis customer portal and gives brands a practical starting point for packaging conversations.

A team can review the current package, enter the relevant packaging information and estimate applicable EPR fees. From there, Fortis can work with the customer to explore alternative packaging scenarios and identify where changes may make sense.

The calculator does not change the first rule of packaging design: protect the product.

Instead, it adds another data point to the decision. A lower-weight or lower-fee structure is useful only if it still delivers the barrier, shelf-life, production and distribution performance the product requires.

How Fortis Can Look for EPR Optimization Opportunities

Once a brand understands its current package and potential EPR exposure, the next step is to look for meaningful changes rather than simply remove material.

Depending on the application, opportunities may include:

• Eliminating packaging or components that are not necessary
• Lightweighting or right-sizing the package while maintaining performance
• Evaluating recycle-ready material structures
• Increasing post-consumer recycled content where appropriate
• Reviewing label materials and adhesives
• Reconsidering shrink-sleeve material or coverage
• Reducing coatings or laminations that are not required for package performance

Not every strategy applies to every package. The purpose of the exercise is to identify where the package can change without sacrificing what it needs to do.

Five Questions to Ask Before Lightweighting a Package

Before removing a layer, changing a material or redesigning a package, ask:

1. What function does each layer or component perform?

A layer may provide barrier, strength, sealability, printability or another function that is not obvious from looking at the finished package.

2. What happens to product protection or shelf life if it changes?

The answer should be based on the actual product and performance requirements.

3. Can the same performance be achieved with less material or a different construction?

This is where material science and packaging expertise can create real optimization opportunities.

4. How does the change affect recyclability and EPR fees?

Material weight is only one variable. The complete package design matters.

5. Will the new package work in the real world?

The redesigned structure still needs to run on equipment, survive distribution, protect the product and perform for the consumer.

Optimize the Package, Not Just the Material

A salad bag manages conditions around a living, respiring product. A coffee valve addresses gas released after roasting. A pet food bag may combine barrier, storage and handling requirements in a single structure.

Those examples make an important point: packaging is not just material surrounding a product. It is a system designed to perform specific jobs.

EPR gives brands another reason to examine that system closely.

The opportunity is not to remove as much packaging as possible. It is to identify material or complexity that is not necessary, evaluate better alternatives and preserve the components that protect the product.

Work With Fortis on Packaging and EPR Optimization

Fortis can help brands evaluate both sides of the packaging equation.

Using its EPR calculator where available, Fortis can help customers understand potential packaging fees and identify opportunities to optimize materials, weight and design. At the same time, Fortis’ packaging expertise keeps the product’s actual performance requirements at the center of the conversation.

The result is a more useful sustainability question:

Not “How little packaging can we use?”

But “What is the most efficient package that still does everything this product needs?”

Talk to Fortis About Packaging Optimization

Think about the last time you picked up a bottle of wine you had never tried. Before you knew how it tasted, you had already formed an impression from the bottle, the typography, the colors, the material, and the finish of the label.

That same kind of visual decision-making happens across grocery aisles, beauty shelves, supplement displays, and household products. Packaging is often one of the first ways a consumer experiences a brand, and the label plays a major role in that first impression.

But an effective pressure sensitive label has to do more than look good. It also has to work with the container, hold up in the product’s environment, communicate the right information, and sometimes provide functionality beyond branding.

Fortis Solutions Group produces pressure sensitive labels using Traditional Flexo, Digital, and Hybrid printing technologies, with a wide range of materials, finishes, and functional features designed to support both shelf appeal and real-world performance.

Why Pressure Sensitive Labels Give Brands So Much Design Flexibility

One reason pressure sensitive labels are used across so many product categories is their versatility. The material, adhesive, print method, and finish can all be selected around the package and the way the product will be used.

Fortis supports paper, film, foil, and conformable material options for pressure sensitive prime labels. Each can create a different look and feel while also supporting different performance needs.

A paper label may be appropriate when a brand wants a familiar or textured appearance. Film can be useful when durability, moisture resistance, or conformability is important. Foil can add a premium metallic effect. Conformable materials can help when the package shape or surface requires more flexibility.

The important point is that material choice should not be made on appearance alone. The container surface, product environment, handling, and desired consumer experience all need to be considered together.

Creating a Label Consumers Want to Pick Up

Shelf appeal is not just about using bright colors. It is about creating a package that feels consistent with the product and gives shoppers a reason to notice it.

Pressure sensitive labels give brands a wide range of ways to add visual and tactile interest. Fortis offers specialty finishes and embellishments that include metallic foils, embossing, raised tactile varnishes, rough-touch coatings, and soft-touch coatings. Rotary screen printing can also be used to create unique tactile effects.

For transparent or dark materials, Fortis offers Dyno white to help printed elements stand out. Printing capabilities support up to 10 colors, giving brands flexibility when matching complex artwork or building a more distinctive shelf presence.

These techniques can be especially effective in categories where visual presentation strongly influences purchase decisions, such as wine and spirits, beauty, personal care, specialty food, and premium consumer products.

The goal should not be to add decoration for decoration’s sake. The best embellishments support the brand position and help the package communicate what makes the product different.

When the Label Has a Job Beyond Branding

For many products, a label also needs to carry information, identification, or interactive features.

Fortis supports smart-label capabilities that include sequential numbering, QR codes, Data Matrix, and 2D barcodes. Thermal Transfer and Direct Thermal materials can also support barcodes, lot codes, and other variable information.

These features can give the label a more functional role within the package. A QR code may connect a shopper to additional content. Sequential numbering can support identification. Variable data can help brands manage products that require changing information from one label to the next.

The right approach depends on what the package needs to accomplish. A consumer-facing QR code, a lot code, and a serialized label all serve different purposes, even though each relies on the label to carry information beyond the primary brand design.

When You Need More Space Than the Package Gives You

Sometimes the challenge is not what to put on the label. It is how to fit everything that needs to be there.

Small packages, regulated products, multilingual information, detailed instructions, promotions, or additional product education can all create pressure on limited label space.

Extended Content Labels, or ECLs, can provide additional room without requiring a larger package. Fortis offers peel-and-reseal constructions, including 2-ply, 3-ply, and overwrap options, as well as booklet labels with traditional and segmented bases.

Fortis also supports Instant Redeem Coupons designed for clean removal without tackiness.

These formats allow brands to keep the primary package design clean while creating more space for additional content where needed.

Choosing the Right Printing Technology for the Project

Not every pressure sensitive label project has the same production requirements.

Fortis supports Traditional Flexo, Digital, and Hybrid printing, which gives customers more flexibility when matching the production method to the job.

The right printing approach can depend on factors such as:

• Run size

• Number of SKUs

• Color requirements

• Variable data needs

• Specialty embellishments

• Production volume

• Artwork complexity

A project with many SKUs and frequent artwork changes may have different needs than a long production run with a highly consistent design. A label that requires specialty decorative effects may also call for a different approach than one focused primarily on variable information.

The benefit of having multiple production technologies available is the ability to evaluate what best fits the project rather than forcing every label into the same process.

The Label Still Has to Perform

A label can look perfect on a proof and still fail if it is not designed for the actual package environment.

Pressure sensitive label performance depends on more than print quality. The adhesive, face material, container surface, temperature, moisture, handling, and product use can all affect how a label performs once it leaves the production line.

This matters across consumer categories, but it can be especially important in household and industrial applications, where labels may encounter more demanding environments. Fortis supports robust materials and adhesives for these kinds of high-performance packaging needs.

Conformability can also matter when the label is being applied to a curved or irregular container. A material that works well on one package may not be the right choice for another.

That is why pressure sensitive label development should consider both how the label looks and how it needs to behave throughout filling, distribution, retail display, and use.

What Should Brands Consider When Designing a Pressure Sensitive Label?

Before selecting a label construction, it helps to look at the package as a complete system rather than treating the label as a separate decorative element.

Here are several questions worth asking:

1. What material and container will the label be applied to?

The surface, shape, and rigidity of the package can influence material and adhesive selection.

2. What environment will the package encounter?

Consider moisture, temperature, handling, storage, shipping, and how the consumer will use the product.

3. How important is shelf differentiation?

If the package needs to compete visually in a crowded category, specialty finishes, tactile effects, foil, embossing, or other decorative options may be worth evaluating.

4. Does the label need variable data or smart-label functionality?

QR codes, sequential numbering, Data Matrix, 2D barcodes, lot codes, and other variable information should be planned early in the design process.

5. Does the package need more content space than a standard label provides?

If so, an Extended Content Label may help add instructions, product information, promotional content, or multilingual copy without overwhelming the front panel.

6. What are the run size and SKU requirements?

Production volume, artwork changes, and the number of SKUs can all influence the best printing method.

7. Which finishes support the brand rather than distract from it?

The strongest label design choices are the ones that reinforce the product’s position and consumer experience.

Pressure Sensitive Labels Across Different Markets

Because pressure sensitive labels can be adapted across materials, finishes, and functional needs, they are used across a wide range of industries.

Food & Beverage

Pressure sensitive labels for food and beverage can provide durable, eye-catching prime decoration for bottles, jars, and containers while supporting a wide range of branding styles.

Health & Beauty

Health and beauty products often need labels that combine strong shelf presence with detailed product information. Specialty finishes can help differentiate the package while extended-content and variable-information options can support more complex communication needs.

Personal Care

Tactile varnishes, soft-touch coatings, metallic effects, and other embellishments can help create a more sensory package experience in personal care categories.

Household & Industrial

In demanding environments, materials and adhesives need to be selected with durability and performance in mind. Fortis supports pressure sensitive label options designed for high-performance packaging applications.

Why Work With Fortis for Pressure Sensitive Labels?

Pressure sensitive labeling works best when the visual, technical, and production requirements are considered together.

Fortis brings those capabilities into one labeling program, with:

• Traditional Flexo, Digital, and Hybrid printing

• Paper, film, foil, and conformable materials

• Specialty finishes and embellishments

• Smart-label capabilities

• Extended Content Labels

• Short-run and large-scale production support

• Technical specialists who understand complex labeling requirements

Whether the priority is shelf impact, durability, variable information, additional content space, or a combination of all four, Fortis can help evaluate the right label construction and production approach for the application.

Explore Fortis Pressure Sensitive Label Solutions

Pressure Sensitive Label FAQs

What is a pressure sensitive label?

A pressure sensitive label uses an adhesive that bonds to a surface when pressure is applied. Unlike some other labeling methods, it does not require heat, water, or solvent activation at the point of application.

What materials are used for pressure sensitive labels?

Fortis supports paper, film, foil, and conformable pressure sensitive label materials. The right choice depends on the package, desired appearance, environment, and performance requirements.

What specialty finishes can be added to pressure sensitive labels?

Available Fortis capabilities include metallic foils, embossing, raised tactile varnishes, rough-touch coatings, soft-touch coatings, and rotary screen printing for tactile effects.

Can pressure sensitive labels include QR codes or variable data?

Yes. Fortis supports sequential numbering, QR codes, Data Matrix, 2D barcodes, and Thermal Transfer and Direct Thermal materials for applications such as barcodes and lot codes.

What are Extended Content Labels?

Extended Content Labels provide additional printable space through multi-layer constructions such as peel-and-reseal labels or booklets. They can be useful when a package needs to communicate more information than a standard label can comfortably hold.

What printing methods are used for pressure sensitive labels?

Fortis offers Traditional Flexo, Digital, and Hybrid printing technologies. The best method depends on factors such as run size, number of SKUs, artwork, color needs, variable data, and embellishment requirements.

A pressure sensitive label should do more than sit on a package. It should support the brand, perform in the intended environment, and help the package communicate what matters most.

Talk with Fortis Solutions Group about your container, product, artwork, production volume, and functional requirements to begin evaluating the right pressure sensitive label solution.

Talk to a Fortis Label Specialist