ShockWatch Label and ShockWatch Label QR – When to Use the Adhesive Impact Indicator
This article is part of our SpotSee® Knowledge Base.
ShockWatch Label and ShockWatch Label QR – When to Use the Adhesive Impact Indicator
ShockWatch® Label is one of the simplest and most widely used impact indicators in global supply chains. A thin adhesive label rather than a housed device, it gives a clear, irreversible visual alert when a shipment has taken a potentially damaging impact. Its low cost, ease of use and high visibility make it a powerful deterrent against mishandling.
SpotSee now also make ShockWatch Label QR, the same label with a QR code added so the recipient can scan it on arrival. This article explains what ShockWatch Label does, how it works, and when it is the right choice.
A note on the names
The original indicator was called simply ShockWatch. When the housed, field-armable version arrived it was named ShockWatch 2, and the original adhesive indicator is now usually called ShockWatch Label to keep the two apart. You may still see it listed as plain ShockWatch. They are different products: ShockWatch Label is always live, ShockWatch 2 is armed when you apply it.
What is ShockWatch Label?
A single-use, tamperproof impact indicator in five sensitivities: 25G, 37G, 50G, 75G and 100G. When an impact exceeds the selected threshold the indicator turns bright red, giving clear evidence of mishandling. Its window measures 0.06 in², and it is orientation-dependent, so how it is applied matters.
ShockWatch Label is manufactured in an always-live state. It is active from the moment it leaves the factory, so it begins monitoring as soon as it is applied to a package. It cannot be armed or disarmed, which means these indicators need careful handling in storage and transit to avoid activation before they reach your packing line.
How we supply it
Because ShockWatch Label is permanently active and needs careful protective packaging, we have it shipped direct from SpotSee rather than holding stock. That means fewer journeys and less handling before it reaches you. Ask us for thresholds, pack sizes and lead times.
What ShockWatch Label QR adds
ShockWatch Label QR is the same always-live adhesive indicator with a QR code on its face. The recipient scans it with any smartphone camera — no app and no account — to check the indicator's condition on arrival. It covers the same threshold range, so the choice between the two is simply whether you want the scan.
Key behaviours
- Always live — no arming step, just apply it
- Irreversible activation — once red, it cannot be reset
- Highly visible — acts as a deterrent to mishandling
- Five sensitivities — 25G to 100G
- Low-cost and single-use — suits high-volume shipments
When to use ShockWatch Label
- High-volume shipments — consumer electronics, small appliances, retail goods, general manufacturing
- Products sensitive to drops at 25G and above — medical devices, laboratory equipment, optical components, precision instruments
- Shipments where visibility reduces mishandling — the framing label increases awareness across the supply chain
- Cost-sensitive monitoring — one of the most economical impact indicators available
ShockWatch Label vs ShockWatch 2
| Feature | ShockWatch Label / Label QR | ShockWatch 2 / 2 QR |
|---|---|---|
| Activation method | Always live | Field-armable |
| Sensitivity range | 25G–100G | 5G–75G |
| Window size | 0.06 in² | 0.125 in² |
| Protection against false activation | Lower | Higher |
| QR scan on receipt | Yes, on ShockWatch Label QR | Yes, on ShockWatch 2 QR |
| Best for | High-volume, cost-sensitive shipments | Higher-value or more fragile goods |
Fitting best practice
- Mount on a clean, dry surface
- Place in the lower third of the package, near a rigid edge
- Use the companion framing label for visibility
- Avoid mounting near flexible or weak areas
- Mind the orientation — unlike the discontinued ShockDot, ShockWatch Label is orientation-dependent
- Handle these indicators gently during storage and transit — they are active before installation
Is ShockWatch Label right for your shipment?
Choose ShockWatch Label if you need a simple, economical indicator at 25G or above, and an always-live indicator is acceptable. Choose ShockWatch 2 QR if you need finer sensitivities, or if false activations during storage and packing would be a problem — it stays inactive until you arm it and apply it when you are ready to ship.
For ShockWatch Label or ShockWatch Label QR, ask us and we will have it shipped direct from SpotSee. Browse ShockWatch 2 QR impact indicators, the standard ShockWatch 2 while stocks last, or the wider range of impact and shock indicators.
Good Life Innovations Ltd is an Approved SpotSee Partner, supplying genuine ShockWatch® and TiltWatch® indicators across the UK.
Related SpotSee Guides
- ShockWatch Label QR vs ShockWatch 2 QR – Which Carton-Level Impact Indicator Should You Use?
- ShockWatch 2 – When to Use the Field-Armable Impact Indicator
- ShockDot – What to Use Instead
Part of our SpotSee® Knowledge Base
Explore our SpotSee® Knowledge Base for product guides, comparison articles and supporting technical resources for impact, tilt and temperature monitoring.