Films with enhanced scuff resistance, clarity, and conformability

1. A multilayer film comprising:

a core layer comprising a blend comprising:

(i) a first polymeric material selected from the group consisting of a polyethylene (PE) homopolymer, an alpha polyolefin, a PE-containing copolymer, and combinations thereof;

(ii) at least one polypropylene (PP) containing material selected from the group consisting of a PP homopolymer, a PP-containing copolymer, and combinations thereof,

a first and a second skin layer, wherein the core layer is disposed between the first and second skin layer, and

wherein a composition of the core layer is the same as a composition of at least one of the first skin layer and the second skin layer,

wherein the film exhibits a ratio of stiffness in a machine direction to a cross direction of between 0.87:1 and 1.9:1, and

wherein the film is machine direction oriented only.

2. The film of claim 1 wherein the film is oriented by hot stretching at a stretch ratio within a range of from 2:1 to 9:1.

3. The film of claim 1 wherein a PE content of the core layer is from 25% to 95% by weight.

4. The film of claim 3 wherein the PE content is from 30% to 80% by weight.

5. The film of claim 3 wherein the PE content is from 35% to 75% by weight.

6. The film of claim 1 wherein the core layer further comprises at least one of EVA and EVA-based components.

7. The film of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first skin layer and the second skin layer includes at least one component selected from the group consisting of polypropylene (PP), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), linear low density polypropylene (PP), high density polyethylene (HDPE), high density polypropylene (HDPP), styrene diblock copolymer, ionomer resins, linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), very low density polyethylene (VLDPE), ethylene acrylic acid (EAA) copolymers, and combinations thereof.

8. The film of claim 1 wherein the film is laser die cuttable.

9. The film of claim 1 wherein the film is flame treated.

10. The film of claim 1 wherein the amount of the first polymeric material is greater than the amount of the PP containing material.

11. The film of claim 1 wherein the film ratio of stiffness in a machine direction to a cross direction is between 0.87:1 and 1.38:1.

12. The film of claim 1 wherein the film ratio of stiffness in a machine direction to a cross direction is between 0.87:1 and 1.27:1.

13. The film of claim 1 wherein the first and second layers have the same composition.

14. The film of claim 1 wherein the first and second layers have different compositions.

15. The film of claim 1 wherein the core layer, the first layer, and the second layer have the same composition.

16. The film of claim 1 wherein the first and second layers have different ratios of the same/identical polymeric blend components.

17. A label assembly comprising:

the multilayer film of claim 1 , and

a layer of an adhesive.

18. The label assembly of claim 17 wherein the adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive.

19. The label assembly of claim 17 wherein the label assembly is laser die cuttable.

20. The label assembly of claim 17 wherein the label assembly is flame treated.

21. A method of producing a labeled article, the method comprising:

providing an article having a surface to receive a label assembly;

providing the label assembly comprising the film of claim 1 and an adhesive layer;

adhering the adhesive layer of the label assembly to the surface of the article to thereby produce a labeled article.