Authored by Daniel Farias, Technical Engineer at Drytac.
Most people have heard of pressure-sensitive adhesives (PSAs), but fewer understand the science behind them—or how much they’ve advanced in recent years.
A Brief History
The story of PSAs began with rubber. Early adhesives were made from natural rubber, later enhanced with synthetic rubber resins and tackifiers to fine-tune performance.
Over time, however, rubber’s limitations became clear. Natural rubber yellows and breaks down under UV light. This led to the rise of acrylic adhesives, which offer greater internal strength and resistance to environmental stress.
Where We Are Today
Modern PSAs fall into three main categories: acrylic, rubber, and silicone.
- Rubber-based adhesives are cost-effective and ideal for short-term, indoor graphics such as POP displays. They work best where exposure to harsh environments isn’t a concern.
- Acrylic adhesives are the industry’s “workhorses.” They resist heat, stay clear without yellowing, and provide long-term adhesion. Their flexible formulations make them suitable for a wide range of surfaces, both indoors and outdoors, for applications like wall, floor, and window graphics.
- Silicone adhesives excel in specialized situations—very smooth surfaces or high-temperature projects. Their self-wetting properties and low peel strength make installation and removal easier.
Looking Ahead
So, what’s next for PSAs? At Drytac, we’re constantly investing in research and development to advance pressure-sensitive adhesive technology. Our focus is on delivering high-performance solutions while implementing the latest innovations to meet evolving market needs and manufacturing practices.
Drytac Solutions
Drytac offers PSA products for every kind of project:
- Removable Adhesives – Ideal for short-term retail graphics and seasonal campaigns, with clean removal.
- Permanent Adhesives – Reliable, long-term adhesion indoors and outdoors, including options for rough or textured surfaces.
- ReTac (Permanently Peelable) – Designed for flexibility, offering clean removal even years later.
- SpotOn (Dot Pattern) – Bubble-free, tool-free installation, perfect for windows and promotions.
- Cold Weather Adhesives – Engineered for installs in temperatures as low as –20˚C, making them ideal for outdoor winter graphics and unheated environments.
The Big Picture
Pressure-sensitive adhesives unlock a world of opportunities in wide-format print and beyond. With continuous development and new solutions entering the market, print professionals can expand into applications and markets that once felt out of reach.
