Technical data for TZ tapes

Why do Brother P-touchlaminated labels last longer? Unlike ordinary labels, our unique laminated tape technology

ensures that a layer of super-clear polyethylene laminate

protects your text.

Brother P-touch laminated TZ tapes consist of six layers

of materials, resulting in a thin, extremely strong label.

Characters are formed with a thermal transfer ink and

sandwiched between two protective layers of PET

(polyester film). The result is a virtually indestructible label

that can withstand even the harshest conditions.

In fact, we are sure about the durability of our labels because

we’ve tested them to the extreme, against the effects of

abrasion, temperature, chemicals and sunlight. Results prove

that Brother P-touch laminated labels out perform competitor

labels, staying legible and affixed, so you can be confident of

a professional quality label that has been designed to last.

And we can prove it. The following pages will show you

exactly how our labels are tested to the extreme.

Patentedlaminationprovides anextra protectiveovercoat.

protective coating (PET) 38µmletteringadhesive (acrylic)base film (PET)colour layer for the base filmadhesive (acrylic)backing paper

Canwithstandheavyabrasion

Abrasion Resistant Labels Brother’s patented tape lamination technology ensures that

Brother P-touch laminated labels can withstand even heavy

abrasion.

The Abrasion Test ProcedureA 1kg sanding device was passed over Brother P-touch

laminated labels, and non-laminated competitor labels.

After 50 return passes the characters underneath the Brother

P-touch laminated label were completely unaffected and the

lamination was only slightly scratched.

Abrasion Tests Results

Brother P-touch laminated TZ label

Competitor non-laminated label

= No effect on print quality

= Print quality affected

Brother P-touch Laminated Label

Non-Laminated Competitor Label

Temperature Resistant LabelsWhether you want to use our labels in freezing conditions or

alternatively in extremely warm environments, our labels have

been designed to last, we know this because we've tested

them to the extreme. In fact, results show that Brother P-touch

laminated labels can withstand temperatures from

-80°C to 150°C.

The Temperature Test ProcedureBrother P-touch laminated labels, slightly roughened with

abrasive paper, were attached to stainless steel then heated

and cooled. After 240 hours at -80°C no noticeable change in

tape adhesive or colour had occurred. After 240 hours at

150°C, despite slight discolouration, the text on the label

remained completely intact, and the heat actually increased

the tapes' adhesive strength, due to a slight softening and

spreading of the adhesive.* We recommend

TZ-M931/951/961 (Black on matt silver) as most resistant to

high temperatures in terms of discolouration.

Test ResultsLabel performance after exposure to heat and cold

*When tape is subjectto extremely hightemperatures for longperiods the laminatefilm may be separatedor discoloured, or itmay shrink.

Test: TemperatureTemperature: 100°cDuration: 240 hoursLabels: Brother P-touch Laminated Label

Resistant totemperaturesof -80°C to150°C

Temperature Hours Tape Condition= no noticeable change

= text is legible but there is some tape discolouration

Fade Resistant LabelsWherever you use P-touch laminated labels, they have been

designed to stay as clear and legible as the day they were

applied.

The Fade Test ProcedureSeveral Brother P-touch laminated labels, in various colours,

were attached to coated metal plates and placed inside a

fade-inducing chamber at 83°C. They were left for a period of

100 hours to simulate a year in sunny surroundings and then

inspected for any obvious changes.

The text colour remained unchanged and so all characters

were still completely legible. To the naked eye, the tapes'

background colour showed no change, except for the yellow

tape which showed some slight fading.

Labels Before and After TestingTest: Fade Meter Temperature: 83°cDuration: 100 hours Labels: Brother P-touch Laminated Labels

Before Testing After Testing

Resistant toultravioletexposure

ABCDEABCDEABCDE

ABCDEABCDEABCDE

Waterresistant

Resistant toa wide rangeof industrialchemicals

Water and Chemical Resistance Water and chemical resistance tests were conducted in two

stages:

Stage 1 - The water and chemical submersion test

Stage 2 - The water and chemical abrasion test

Stage 1Water and Chemical Submersion Test Procedure

To test Brother P-touch laminated labels against the effects of

water and chemicals, the tapes were firstly attached to glass

slides and immersed in a variety of liquids for 2 hours.

No change in appearence or structure of the labels occurred,

and the labels remained affixed to the slides.

Although some labels soaked in certain chemicals showed

minor changes, rubbing the labels with the same chemicals

had no effect at all. So even if chemicals are spilled on your

Brother P-touch laminated labels, a quick wipe should be

enough to prevent any damage.

Test Results for Brother P-touch Laminated

• = no print discolouration

•

Toluene

•

Hexane

•

Ethanol

•

Ethyl Acetate

•

Acetone

•

Mineral Spirit

•

Water

•

0.1NHydrochloric

•

0.1 SodiumHydroxide

Test: Water and Chemical SubmersionChemical: EthanolDuration: 2 hoursLabels: Brother P-touch Laminated Label

Water and Chemical Resistance Stage 2Water and Chemical Abrasion Test Procedure

Brother P-touch laminated tape was affixed to several glass

plates. A 500g weight with a chemical and solvent infused cloth

was passed over each label 20 times. As the results below

show, the print quality of Brother P-touch laminated labels was

unaffected, unlike our competitor’s non-laminated labels.

Test Results

Labels After TestingTest: Chemical Abrasion Chemical: Acetone

Waterresistant

Resistant toa wide rangeof industrialchemicals

Brother P-touch Laminated Label

Non-Laminated Competitor Label

• = Print quality unaffected

Eth

yl a

ceta

te

Min

eral

sp

irit

•P-touchLaminated Label

Non-LaminatedCompetitor Label x

• • •

x

•

x

• • • •

x = Print quality affected

0.1

So

diu

mH

ydro

xid

e

Tolu

ene

Hex

ane

Eth

ano

l

Ace

tone

Wat

er

0.1N

Hyd

roch

lori

c

• • • • • •

Strongadhesionto a widerange ofsurfaces

Strong Adhesion The Adhesion Test ProcedureTo test the adhesive strength of Brother P-touch laminated

tapes, 12mm standard tape and extra strength adhesive tape

were affixed to a variety of objects, all with different surfaces,

and left for 30 minutes. Adhesive strength was tested by

removing the tape at an angle of 180 degrees. This testing

method complies with Japanese Standard JIS Z0237 testing

for adhesive tape.

Test ResultsThe table explains that an adhesive strength of approximately 6

Newtons* was maintained with most materials. Our strong

adhesive tape maintained an average of 50% more adhesive

strength compared to our standard tape and is suitable for more

demanding surfaces such as polypropylene.

7.6

10

StainlessSteel

StandardTZ Tape

Extra StrongAdhesive TZ Tape

7.2

10.1

Glass

8.6

11.5

PVC

6.9

11.5

Acrylic

3.3

7.4

Polypropylene

6.4

11.5

PolyesterCoated Wood

* Results in Newtons for 12mm width tape

TZ M21 TZ M31 TZ M51

TZ 931

TZ M931

TZ 951

TZ M951 TZ M961

HG 211 HG 221 HG 231 HG 241 HG 251 HG 261

ALK 251

TZ FA3 TZ FA4B

TZ IY41

TZ SE4

TZ S141

TZ S241

TZ S641

TZ S151

TZ S251

TZ S651

TZ S161

TZ S261

TZ S661

TZ S131

TZ S231

TZ S631

TZ S121

TZ S221

TZ S621

TZ S111

TZ S211

TZ S611

TZ FX111

TZ FX211

TZ FX611

TZ FX121

TZ FX221

TZ FX621

TZ FX131

TZ FX231

TZ FX631

TZ FX141

TZ FX241

TZ FX641

TZ FX151

TZ FX251

TZ FX651

TZ FX161

TZ FX261

TZ FX661

TZ N231

TZ N232

TZ N233

TZ N531

TZ N631

TZ N731

TZ NF31

TZ N241

TZ N242

TZ N243

TZ N541

TZ N641

TZ N741

TZ NF41

TZ N251TZ N211 TZ N221

TZ 111

TZ 211

TZ 315

TZ 611

TZ 121

TZ 122

TZ 123

TZ 221

TZ 222

TZ 223

TZ 324

TZ 325

TZ 421

TZ 521

TZ 621

TZ 721

TZ A25

TZ 141

TZ 145

TZ 241

TZ 242

TZ 243

TZ 344

TZ 345

TZ 441

TZ 541

TZ 641

TZ 741

TZ 161

TZ 165

TZ 261

TZ 262

TZ 263

TZ 364

TZ 365

TZ 461

TZ 561

TZ 661

TZ 131

TZ 132

TZ 133

TZ 135

TZ 231

TZ 232

TZ 233

TZ 334

TZ 335

TZ431

TZ 435

TZ 531

TZ 535

TZ 631

TZ 635

TZ 731

TZ 735

TZ A31

TZ B31

TZ C31

TZ D31

TZ 151

TZ 152

TZ 153

TZ 155

TZ 251

TZ 252

TZ 253

TZ 354

TZ 355

TZ 451

TZ 455

TZ 551

TZ 555

TZ 651

TZ 655

TZ 751

TZ 755

TZ A51

TZ B51

TZ C51

TZ D51

TapeColour

CharacterColour 36mm24mm18mm12mm9mm6mm

Laminated - 8 metres

Matt - 8 metres Laminated

Non-Laminated - 8 metres

Flexi id tape – 8 metres Laminated

Strong Adhesive – 8 metres Laminated

Fabric - 3 metres (Iron On)

Iron-on - – 5 metres (Transfer)

Security – 8 metres Laminated

Metallic – 8 metres Laminated

Black

BlackRedBlueBlackBlackBlackBlack

BlackBlackBlack

BlackBlackBlack

BlackRedBlueWhiteBlackRedBlueGoldWhiteBlackWhiteBlackWhiteBlackWhiteBlackWhiteBlackWhiteBlackBlackBlack

ClearClearClearClearWhiteWhiteWhiteBlackBlackRedRedBlueBlue

YellowOrangeGreenGreenGreyGrey

Fluo. Orange Fluo. Yellow Fluo. Green

(5m)(5m)(5m)

Clear

Blue White

Black White

Black White

BlackBlack

Paper - 7 metres* Black

SilverSilver (matt)

White

High Grade - 8 metres Laminated** Black White

WhiteWhiteWhiteBlue

YellowGreenPurple

ClearWhiteYellow

ClearWhiteYellow

Tape Options3.5mm

Actual tape colours may differ slightly from the printed colours. The availability of TZ tapes may also vary in different countries.Brother TZ tapes are supplied in standard 8m lengths. Exceptions are paper labels (7m), fluorescent and iron-on tape (5m) and fabric tape (3m).* Only for use with PT -9500PC and PT-2420PC** Only for use with the PT-9500PC*** Only for use with machines with 3.5mm tape capabilities

Choosing TheRight Tape

Choose the righttape for the job

Choose the right tape for the job

Brother P-touch laminated tapes are available in a wide range

of tape colours, widths and styles. Your application and your

choice of P-touch model should guide your ultimate tape

selection. The table below will also help you to determine the

correct tape for your applications.

Recommended

LargeCurvedSurface

(more than8mm

diameter)

SmallCurvedSurface

(less than8mm

diameter)

TZ

Lam

inat

ed T

apes

Str

ong

Ad

hesi

ve T

apes

Flex

ible

ID T

apes

Sec

urit

y Ta

pes

FlatSurface

Smooth

Textured

Smooth

Textured

Smooth

Textured

Acceptable Not Recommended

Choosing TheRight Tape

Frequently Asked Questions

How thick are TZ tapes?TZ tapes are around 160 micro metres in thickness butthis varies slightly by tape type.

Which colour tape is recommended for hightemperatures?We recommend TZ-M931/951/961 (Black on matt silver)as most resistant to high temperatures in terms ofdiscolouration.

When I remove the label will messy adhesive remain?How can I remove it?Tapes can be removed from most materials with relative easeleaving little or no adhesive on the material. Extreme heat,humidity and certain chemicals may result in some residualadhesive being left but this can be removed in most caseswith Ethanol.

What is the shelf life of an unused TZ tape?The shelf life of an unused TZ tape is 15 months fromproduction.

Do TZ tapes contain chloride?No chloride materials are used in the cassette case, tape or ink.

Do TZ tapes create any outgasing?The following gases may be produced when labels are in a hot environment such as in front of an air conditioner-toluene, n-butanol, 2-ethylhexyl alcohol, butyl carbinol acetate. These levels are however very low.

Strongadhesion toa widerange ofsurfaces

Frequently Asked Questions

Can TZ tapes be submerged in alcohol?Submersion of TZ tapes in alcohol is not recommended forextended periods due to the possible deterioration of the tapeadhesive.

Is it safe to burn a P-touch label?Although there may be some halogen in TZ tapes, it is of avery low level making it safe to burn TZ tapes.

Do TZ tapes contain silicon?Since the tape liner itself is silicon coated on both sides,there is a chance that small amounts of silicon may remainon the adhesive layer underneath the label even after theliner is peeled off.

Do TZ tapes create static electricity?When peeling off the tape liner there may be some verylow levels of static electricity.

Do TZ tapes contain vinyl chlorine?TZ laminated tapes contain very low levels of residual chlorine.

Which colour tape fades the least?We recommend TZ-M931/951/961 (Black on matt silver)as our most fade resistant tape. Fluorescent tapes arenot recommended.

Resistant toa wide rangeof industrialchemicals

Frequently Asked Questions

Do TZ tapes contain latex?TZ tape uses acryl based adhesive materials and do notinclude latex.

Does TZ tape contain lead?There is no lead in the cassette case, tape or ink.

Can TZ tapes be used on circuit boards?We do not recommend that TZ tapes are used on circuit boardsdue to the sensitivity of circuit boards to dust, static electricity and acid (although these are at very low levels in TZ tapes)

Can TZ tapes be used on copper?As adhesive materials used in our tape are acrylic and weaklyacid we do not recommend that TZ tapes are used on copper.

How long should security tape be attached beforepeeling off?We recommend that TZ security tape is affixed for at least 24 hours in order to work effectively.

UL CertificationA number of our TZ tapes have been tested by UnderwritersLaboratories, a renowned independent testing laboratory. Ourtapes have passed their rigorous safety standards and gained UL certification and we continue to test more tapes. For latestcertification details and a list of certified tapes please contact your local Brother office.

Canwithstandheavyabrasion