VOID Tamper-Evident Labels

A VOID label is designed to fail visibly. Once it has been applied and lifted, the construction cannot be returned to the way it looked: a VOID or OPENED message appears, and the label cannot be pressed back down without the change showing. That is the purpose of putting one on a carton flap, a bottle closure or a warranty screw.

We supply VOID tamper-evident labels in four removal behaviours — positive, negative, full transfer and non-transfer — on standard 25 μm and 38 μm stocks, printed to your artwork or supplied blank, in rolls or sheets. The behaviour depends on the surface: adhesive, dwell time and the material being sealed all change the result, so it is confirmed on the actual pack.

Page scope: This page covers VOID and OPENED constructions. Paper that fragments on removal is a different product; an optical effect without a tamper message is covered separately.

Frangible Paper Labels · Holographic Film Labels · Anti-Counterfeit Labels

Where VOID Labels Are Used

• Electronics and appliances — warranty seals over screws and casing joints, so an attempt to open the device stays visible.
• Cosmetics, supplements and healthcare packs — carton and cap seals that show a pack has been opened and closed again.
• Spirits, wine and beverages — closure and neck seals checked at handover.
• Logistics and warehousing — carton and tote seals that show whether goods were opened in transit or in storage.
• Returnable containers and reusable crates — non-transfer stocks that peel without leaving adhesive, so the container can go back into service.

Comparing paper that breaks with film that reveals a message? The two behave differently on the same surface — see Frangible Paper Labels. For the full range of security forms, see Anti-Counterfeit Labels.

Key Features

The mark cannot be reset

Lifting a VOID label changes it permanently: the message appears, and the label no longer sits flat. A seal that has been moved cannot be returned to the pack and made to look untouched, so an opened item stays identifiable at the next handover. Test this on the real surface — a clean lift on one material is not a promise for another.

Four removal behaviours, chosen by surface

Positive constructions leave lettering that is clearly visible after removal, which suits hard, non-fragile surfaces. Negative constructions leave a quieter mark, for example white lettering, and suit paper and fragile surfaces where a strong contrast is not wanted. Full-transfer constructions carry the adhesive and the lettering across to the surface. Non-transfer constructions peel without leaving adhesive, which suits containers that go back into use; there the evidence stays on the label itself. State the behaviour you need before a grade is chosen.

Standard stocks, not a one-off run

Thirteen VOID stocks are held as standard: 25 μm polyester in red, white, black, blue, transparent, matte silver and plain laser, with small and large VOID patterns, VOID-A and a plain grid; and 38 μm matte white and matte blue VOID OPEN stocks. The full list, with thickness and colour, is in the Specification section. Custom face, colour, pattern and size are assessed against the proposed construction.

Printed data on the same label

Serial numbers, barcodes and QR codes can be printed as variable data, with your artwork for the fixed part of the design. A partner-supplied NFC inlay can be combined when a project calls for a chip; the chip, encoding, reader and the service behind it are confirmed separately.

Technical Specifications

Stock, thickness, colour and removal behaviour are listed in the Specification section. Confirm these before approving a grade.

• Construction: VOID or OPENED pattern in positive, negative, full-transfer or non-transfer form.
• Surface: glass, rigid plastic, coated carton board, paper and returnable containers, matched by adhesive and confirmed by trial.
• Acceptance: removal trial on the actual surface after the agreed dwell time, including an attempted reapplication.

Custom requirements are assessed against the proposed construction and a reference sample.

How to Select and Order

• Describe the item, the surface and what the checker should see after removal.
• Choose the removal behaviour and the stock, then confirm the printed artwork and any variable data.
• Approve a removal trial on the real pack before production.

Send the surface, size, quantity and artwork to request samples and confirm the construction.

jason.zhan@bofmat.com

Related: Frangible Paper Labels · Holographic Film Labels · Anti-Counterfeit Labels · Fragile Handling Stickers · Anti-Counterfeit Labels: How Authentication Features Work · Frangible Labels for Tamper Evidence

FAQ

How is a VOID label different from a frangible paper label?

A frangible paper label fragments when it is lifted; a VOID construction reveals a message instead. Which one suits depends on the surface and on what the checker needs to see — compare both on the actual pack.

Does the message appear on the packaging or on the label?

It depends on the construction. Positive, negative, full-transfer and non-transfer stocks leave the mark in different places, so approve the result on the real surface rather than from a sample sheet.

Can it be used on returnable containers?

Non-transfer stocks peel without leaving adhesive, which suits containers that go back into circulation. The label itself is single-use; the evidence of opening stays on the label.

Can you print serial numbers or add a chip?

Serials, barcodes and QR codes can be printed as variable data. A partner-supplied NFC inlay can be combined when a project requires it; the chip, encoding, reader and any service behind it are confirmed separately.