Home > Adhesive Coating > Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Coating Machine Facts, Benefits And Details

pressure sensitive adhesive suppliersIf you’re uncertain about a how to expand into pressure sensitive adhesive coatings—or whether you need to invest in a pressure sensitive adhesive coating machine—no worries! Conversion Technologies International has insights.

How can I coat my products?

The coating process you select depends on your business’s needs and the type of adhesive you require. In the case of coating processes, you’ll have many to choose between, with some of the main adhesive coating methods including:

  • Roll coating. This process relies on meter rolls, which transfer product to surfaces metering out adhesives at high speeds. They create a uniform effect with precision without sacrificing time.
  • Spray coating. In this case, we apply the coating with a machine, creating a thin, fine layer.
  • Slot-die coating. Another common method, slot-die coating involves pushing the adhesive through a slot, which makes it ideal for highly precise procedures. We rely on it when coating products with hot melt adhesive or pressure activated adhesive materials.

Pressure activated adhesives, sometimes referred to as pressure sensitive materials, is a type of coating that adheres through pressure. While the tackiness of the product varies, it always requires that pressure to “activate”.

When you start working with pressure sensitive adhesives more often, it’s natural to consider whether to buy a PSA coating machine. But the answer might not be as simple as it looks.

Should I buy a pressure sensitive adhesive coating machine?

It depends! A pressure sensitive adhesive coating machine can be a great addition to a small business’s arsenal. However, it isn’t the best choice for every project, or every business. Not all business owners maintain their own equipment, and the adhesive manufacturing industry offers multiple possible solutions. We recommend assessing your needs before contacting third party manufacturers.

Consider:

  • How often you’ll need the pressure sensitive adhesive coating machine. Do you need the machine on a regular basis? If you’re planning a project you anticipate being short term or a one off, there may be no need. In that case, you may consider working with a third party.
  • The age and status of your business. When a business is on the younger side and growing, we recommend proceeding carefully. Before investing in a coating machine, think about whether you might not need the machine in the future. Additionally, it’s possible that, after investing in a machine, you’ll realize you need something heavier duty.
  • The materials you require. As you move ahead with using PSA material, you’ll find that there are multiple types. These materials may respond better to some processes than others. Until you’re certain of what you need—or whether you need multiple types of PSA adhesive materials—it might be prudent to wait.
  • Simply put, investing in a pressure sensitive adhesive coating machine (or machines) costs money. You should consider whether or not investing in a machine is actually worth it. While conventional wisdom suggests that buying your own machine helps save money, that isn’t necessarily the case. In many situations, outsourcing to a third party manufacturer can save you money.

How does a third party manufacturer help you save money?

There are several benefits to working with a third party manufacturer, be it a toll manufacturer or a contract manufacturer. A third party manufacturer handles production efficiently and with far less trial and error. This means you won’t have to worry as much about mistakes—and waste. Waste equals wasted money, not to mention the time and effort that goes into “righting the ship”. That’s one way you’ll save money from the start when outsourcing.

You’ll always benefit from the fact that you don’t have to invest in permanent facilities or equipment. Rather than buying your own pressure sensitive adhesive coating machine, for example, you can work with someone who already has it available. You won’t have to pay rent or secure a permanent facility. Nor will you require permanent employees. Those responsibilities shift to the third party manufacturer, while you focus on the bigger picture.

This frees up time, labor, and even brainpower. When you bring on a new team in-house just to manufacture acrylic PSA and similar adhesives, you’re training them, managing them, and allocating much of your work time to both. Why do so, when you could rely on a manufacturer that knows exactly what they’re doing from the start?

There’s a reason why so many major companies outsource, especially when they’re scaling up. You’ll need that extra time, refined processing power, and ultimately, money.

Frequently Asked Questions

Before we sign off, let’s cover a few commonly asked questions.

What are the different types of PSAs?

The primary PSAs on the market include acrylic PSA, silicone PSA, and rubber PSA. Keep in mind that we can produce rubber PSA from natural resins or synthetic resins, or a blend of both. The selection may depend on the surfaces you’re working with or cost, among other things.

What do we use these coatings for?

Some of the products created using PSAs include:

  • Tapes
  • Label stock
  • Packaging products
  • Stickers
  • Labels
  • And more!

What should I consider when selecting a manufacturer?

Consider factors like experience, reviews, your budget, and of course, how you work with the manufacturer. You’re building a business partnership that could last for the long term. We recommend reaching out as soon as possible when interested in a third party manufacturer.

Why not begin today? Call CTI at 419-924-5566 or contact us here. Let’s discuss your goals.