Application solution

Stone Paper Labels & Hang Tags — Tree-Free Facestock

Tree-free facestock for hang tags, permanent labels and removable labels. Fully waterproof and tear-resistant, in three density series from soft and paper-like to rigid. Print processes are specified per part number: web label stock for offset, flexo and UV; I / 2I sheets for HP Indigo; FG digital press sheets also for dry toner.

Labels & Hang Tags — illustrative image — Illustrative image

Context

Why this application is changing

Labels and hang tags are the first tangible touchpoint between a brand and its consumers. Flexstone replaces wood pulp with calcium carbonate mineral powder, with zero tree consumption and zero process water usage. Balanced flexibility and mechanical strength and a specially engineered coating deliver sharp, saturated print on a warm white, opaque surface.

For roll applications the material runs smoothly at high speeds without curling or warping. Print processes are specified per part number: the web label stock (NMEQS-MACO 295) for offset, flexo and UV; HP Indigo for the I / 2I sheet grades; dry toner for the FG digital press sheets (NMEQS-MACO 298).

Product formats

Choose the format that fits your process

Hang tag (no adhesive)

Excellent stiffness and texture with a smooth, refined surface and a naturally warm white appearance. Fully waterproof and tear-resistant, so tags stay intact through transport and handling. FS is soft and paper-like, FG is rigid, FM balances the two.

Construction (schematic)

Print-receptive coating
Flexstone base — CaCO₃ 60–80% + resin
Print-receptive coating

Garment & footwear hang tagsRetail price tagsProduct inserts & leafletsGift & packaging hang cardsEvent & exhibition badges

Recommended weight: 200–350 g/m²
Recommended printing: Offset and UV (2K grades); HP Indigo (2I grades); dry toner (FG-2I)

Permanent adhesive label

Flexstone facestock with permanent acrylic adhesive delivers high initial tack and strong holding power for long-term secure adhesion. Labels remain intact and legible throughout the product lifecycle.

Construction (schematic)

Print-receptive coating
Flexstone base — CaCO₃ 60–80% + resin
Permanent acrylic adhesive
Release liner

Cosmetic & personal care labelsFood & beverage labelsLogistics & shipping labelsIndustrial & chemical labelsWine & bottle labels

Recommended weight: 100–200 g/m²
Recommended printing: Offset, flexo and UV (web label stock, NMEQS-MACO 295); HP Indigo and dry toner (FG-I PSA sheets, NMEQS-MACO 298)

Removable adhesive label

Flexstone surface material with removable adhesive allows repeated peeling and repositioning. It leaves no adhesive residue and causes no damage to the substrate on removal.

Construction (schematic)

Print-receptive coating
Flexstone base — CaCO₃ 60–80% + resin
Removable adhesive
Release liner

Promotional & event stickersTemporary signage & notice labelsShelf labels (replaceable)Rental product labelsExhibition & sample labels

Recommended weight: 100–200 g/m²
Recommended printing: Offset, flexo and UV (WRA web label stock, NMEQS-MACO 295)

Data

Comparison and specification tables

Flexstone vs. traditional label materials

Comparison	Flexstone Eco-Material	Coated paper labels	PP synthetic labels
Raw material	Calcium carbonate 60–80% + resin	Wood pulp fibre	Polypropylene (petroleum-based)
Trees used	0 trees	Trees required	0 trees
Water usage	Near zero	High consumption	Near zero
Waterproof	Fully waterproof	Disintegrates when wet	Fully waterproof
Tear resistance	High	Low (easily torn)	Varies by process
Opacity	≥90% on the label stock part numbers (NMEQS-MACO 295)	Outstanding	Varies by process
Base colour	Warm white (colour customisable)	Varies widely	Cool white (plastic-like)
Printability	Excellent	Excellent	Requires specific inks
Heat resistance	Ratings published for two part-number groups only (see note)	Moderate	Moderate
Eco credentials	Tree-free, water-free, no bleach, recyclable	FSC (limited)	Recyclable

Source: Flexstone Eco-Material Label & Hang Tag Solutions. The ratings are the brochure's qualitative comparison, except Flexstone's opacity and heat resistance, where the brochure's "outstanding" and "excellent" are replaced by the published figures and their scope. Heat ratings in figures are published only for the FS / FG 2K grades from 0.15 to 0.30 mm (NMEQS-MACO 293) and the FG digital press grades (NMEQS-MACO 298); Flexstone contains thermoplastic resin, so its upper temperature limit is below that of paper.

Hang tag part numbers (no adhesive)

Thickness	FS (1.0)	FM (1.2)	FG (1.4)	Offset / UV grade (2K)	HP Indigo grade (2I)
0.20 mm / 8 mil	200 gsm	240 gsm	280 gsm	FS-2K20 · FM-2K20 · FG-2K20	FS-2I20 · FM-2I20 · FG-2I20
0.25 mm / 10 mil	250 gsm	300 gsm	350 gsm	FS-2K25 · FM-2K25 · FG-2K25	FS-2I25 · FM-2I25 · FG-2I25
0.30 mm / 12 mil	300 gsm	360 gsm	420 gsm	FS-2K30 · FM-2K30 · FG-2K30	FS-2I30 · FM-2I30 · FG-2I30
0.35 mm / 13.8 mil	350 gsm	420 gsm	490 gsm	FS-2K35 · FM-2K35 · FG-2K35	FS-2I35 · FM-2I35 · FG-2I35

2K grades print by offset and UV. 2I grades print on HP Indigo; FG-2I grades also run on toner presses. Weights are the nominal values printed in the brochure; the specification sheets give them with tolerances (for example FG-2K20 280±10 g/m², FG-2I20 280±28 g/m²) — see each part-number page. FM-2K, the 0.35 mm 2K grades and FS / FM 2I are brochure-only and have a nominal weight only.

Adhesive label constructions listed in the brochure

Face thickness	FS	FM	FG	Offset / UV grade (K)	HP Indigo grade (I)
0.10 mm / 4 mil	200 gsm	220 gsm	240 gsm	F*-K10-PSA / -RSA	F*-I10-PSA / -RSA
0.15 mm / 6 mil	250 gsm	280 gsm	310 gsm	F*-K15-PSA / -RSA	F*-I15-PSA / -RSA
0.20 mm / 8 mil	300 gsm	340 gsm	380 gsm	F*-K20-PSA / -RSA	F*-I20-PSA / -RSA

Part-number patterns and weights as printed in the solutions brochure; F* = FS, FM or FG, -PSA the permanent adhesive label, -RSA the removable one. Published part numbers with a specification sheet are FS-K15 / FS-K20 with PSA or WRA (NMEQS-MACO 295) and FG-I15 / FG-I20 with PSA (NMEQS-MACO 298). The other combinations — 0.10 mm faces, -RSA, FM faces — have no published part-number page or test data.

Where Flexstone is not the right choice

Heat ratings are published only for the FS / FG 2K grades from 0.15 to 0.30 mm (NMEQS-MACO 293) and the FG digital press grades (NMEQS-MACO 298); not for retort or other very high-temperature labelling.
Outdoor durability is limited compared with PVC: not for long-term outdoor labels.
Applications with strict fire-safety requirements still need flame-retardant materials.
Opaque warm white: not a replacement for clear label film.

Recommended series

Flexstone products for this application

Flexstone® Label Stock — illustrative image — Illustrative image

K · PSA / WRAFlexstone® Label StockSelf-adhesive Flexstone label stock for web (roll-to-roll) printing in 210, 310, 410 and 510 mm widths.Narrow webPSA / WRA210–510 mm4 modelsView series →

Flexstone® Offset & UV Media — illustrative image — Illustrative image

2KFlexstone® Offset & UV MediaTwo-side printable Flexstone for offset and UV printing, from 0.15 mm to 0.35 mm; the FS and FG grades from 0.15 to 0.30 mm are also specified for flexo and screen print.Offset / UVTwo-side0.15–0.35 mm14 modelsView series →

Flexstone® Digital Press Media — illustrative image — Illustrative image

2IFlexstone® Digital Press MediaSheet-fed Flexstone for HP Indigo digital presses.HP IndigoSheetsFG: 120℃ short-term14 modelsView series →

Source: Flexstone Eco-Material Label & Hang Tag Solutions · Reviewed 2026-10-12

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