Tension

Starting tension targets for PS labels, tag and board, and unsupported film. Includes lbf / N force conversion.

Tension

Mode
Tension unit

Newtons

—N

kgf
—
daN
—

—

Substrate Tension Rules of Thumb

Starting tension by construction. Fine-tune on press.

Substrate category
Web width unit
PS construction

Recommended unit tension

1.00pli

N/cm
1.75
Recommended range
0.80–1.25 pli
Total tension (lbf)
13.0
Total tension (N)
57.8

40# White SCK Liner: 1.00 pli target → 1.000 pli × 13.000 in = 13.0 lbf = 57.8 N

Liner carries the load

The release liner bears the primary tensile load. Keep matrix rewind tension isolated to prevent print register drift.

Press zone starting points

  • Unwind · Base tension1.00× 13.0 lbf
  • Infeed / Print · 5–10% over base1.05–1.10× 13.7–14.3 lbf
  • Rewind · Start at base, 10–15% taper1.00× 13.0 lbf

Quick reference

Total tension in pounds-force, newtons and kilograms-force.

  • lbf10

    N
    44.5
    kgf
    4.5

  • lbf25

    N
    111.2
    kgf
    11.3

  • lbf50

    N
    222.4
    kgf
    22.7

  • lbf75

    N
    333.6
    kgf
    34.0

  • lbf100

    N
    444.8
    kgf
    45.4

  • lbf150

    N
    667.2
    kgf
    68.0

Substrate rules of thumb

Typical starting tension per width.

  • SubstrateStandard paper PS

    pli
    0.80–1.20
    N/cm
    1.40–2.10

  • SubstrateSynthetic face / film liner

    pli
    0.50–0.80
    N/cm
    0.88–1.40

  • SubstrateBOPP (1.0–1.6 mil)

    pli
    0.30–0.50
    N/cm
    0.53–0.88

  • SubstratePET (0.8–1.5 mil)

    pli
    0.50–0.90
    N/cm
    0.88–1.58

  • SubstratePE / polyethylene

    pli
    0.15–0.30
    N/cm
    0.26–0.53

Tag & board

Starting tension by caliper for SBS, C1S, C2S and kraft tag stocks.

  • Grade / Caliper7 pt – 8 pt C1S / C2S (0.007" – 0.008")

    PLI
    1.10–1.40
    N/cm
    1.93–2.45

    Light apparel tags, retail inserts

  • Grade / Caliper10 pt SBS / C2S (0.010")

    PLI
    1.50–1.85
    N/cm
    2.63–3.24

    Standard retail tag, promo cards

  • Grade / Caliper12 pt SBS / C2S (0.012")

    PLI
    1.80–2.20
    N/cm
    3.15–3.85

    Heavy retail tags, light folding cartons

  • Grade / Caliper14 pt SBS / C2S (0.014")

    PLI
    2.10–2.60
    N/cm
    3.68–4.55

    Hang tags, rigid cartons

  • Grade / Caliper16 pt – 18 pt Board / Kraft (0.016" – 0.018")

    PLI
    2.40–3.20
    N/cm
    4.20–5.60

    Heavy board, premium cartons. Firm nips

Total tension is the reading on the unwind or infeed. Per width (pli or N/cm) is tension divided by web width.