USDA Forest Service San Dimas Technology and Development Center

Paper
Typically less expensive than film, paper provides limited resistance to moisture, temperature, and chemicals. AIDC Paper applications are generally short-term, indoor applications.
Polyolefin
Low cost synthetic most commonly used for general purpose and economy label solutions. Better solvent and chemical resistance than paper. They may provide some degree of outdoor durability but are most frequently used for indoor applications. Usually a blend of polyethylenes and polypropylenes, including some recycled films.
Polyethylene(PE)
Moderate stiffness. Breathable. Stretches in all directions but will tear quite easily. Designed for 6 months outdoor use. Useful for labelling products that expand and contract.
Polypropylene (PP)
Excellent substitute for vinyl labels. Hard and rigid to the touch. Stretches in only one direction. More rigid than Polyethylene. 2-3 years outdoor use. Designed for 6 months outdoor. Resistant to blood, oil and alcohol. Better than PE for Print & Apply applications.
Vinyl or PolyVinyl Chloride (PVC)
These general-purpose films supply excellent moisture resistance and outdoor durability. Can be flexible, solvent resistant, tamper-evident, flame retardant, abrasion and smudge resistant, and may be offered in various colors. Soft to the touch, flexible and formable but shrinks and stretches.
Tedlar (or PVF, Polyvinylfluoride)
Tedlar is DuPont's tradename for its polyvinylfluoride film, a closely related film to PVC. PVF has excellent flame retardant properties, as well as extraordinary resistance to UV. Highly chemical resistant but expensive. Widely used in electrical and wire marking applications.
Polystyrene
A thermoplastic with a hard, rigid surface. The material is relatively unaffected by moisture. Typical label uses of polystyrene include timber Tags - stapled to the end of finished timber. It is also available in a brittle, tamper-evident version.
Polyester (PET)
Tough, high-performance films provide excellent outdoor durability, chemical resistance, and heat resistance in a wide range of applications. Polyester also boasts excellent dimensional stability and high tensile strength. Normal last outdoors for more than 2 years and resist temperatures up to 300 degrees. Popular applications include UL/CSA recognised nameplates, rating plates and fixed asset identification. Now available in a range of colors.
Tyvek
Du Pont trade name for spun bonded polyolefin material. It's a strong, lightweight product that is flexible, chemical and weather resistant. Although it is available with adhesive, it is commonly used without adhesive as a tag.
Polyetherimide
Offers extremely high temperature resistance(but not quite as good as polyimide, albeit significantly less expensive), chemical resistance, superior tensile strength and tear resistance. When used with the right topcoat/ribbon combination, it is unaffected by the processes used in printed circuit board production. Recent problems with reliable/routine availability.
Kapton
Du Pont trade name for Polyimide label materials. Very tough material. White or gold.. It provides the highest level of performance to meet the most challenging applications. Offers extremely high temperature and chemical resistance and superior tensile strength and tear resistance. When used with the right topcoat/ribbon combination, Kapton labels are unaffected by the processes used in printed circuit board production.
Nomex (Polyaramide)
A first cousin of polyimide label materials, Nomex is DuPont's tradename for its polyaramide. A synthetic spun bonded paper, Nomex is highly flame retardant. Often used in clothing worn by firefighters and race car drivers. Used for electrical and heat insulation, as well as high temperature tags