Contents
- Introduction to Thermal Labels
- How Thermal Labels Work
- What to Consider When Buying Thermal Labels
- Summary
Introduction
Thermal labels are a form of labels that use thermal paper in the printing process, using heat to produce images or text. There are essentially two main ways this can happen: direct thermal and thermal transfer.
In direct thermal printing, the label material is heat-sensitive and changes colour when exposed to the printhead’s heat, while thermal transfer printing involves a ribbon that melts onto the label surface to create a durable image.
Being able to tell the difference between direct thermal and thermal transfer labels will keep you from having these problems. Direct thermal labels change colour when exposed to heat without needing ink, which is perfect for short-term uses like shipping labels. On the other hand, thermal transfer labels use a ribbon to print durable images, ideal for longer-term applications such as product labelling, and asset marking.
How Do Thermal Labels Work?
Thermal label technology relies on the creative use of heat to speed up the printing process. This makes it very different from standard methods that use ink or toner. This brings us to two distinct methods of accomplishing the task: direct thermal printing and thermal transfer printing. Each possesses unique characteristics and can be used in different situations.
Direct Thermal PrintingThermal Printing is a method that uses heat to print images on a material. See Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer Process
Direct thermal printing operates by applying heat directly to a specially coated label material that reacts by changing colour. Imagine a magic piece of paper; it stays blank until the printer sends heat through it, which activates the chemical coating on its surface. This means there’s no need for ink cartridges, making this method a quick and economical choice, especially for temporary labels like shipping tags.
Thermal Transfer PrintingThermal transfer printing is a digital printing process that uses a thermal printhead to transfer ink from a ribbon onto a label material. The process involves using a thermal transfer... Process
In contrast, the thermal transfer process involves a heated ribbon that melts in
onto the label surface. Picture this as being akin to transferring paint from a palette to canvas — but instead, you’re using heat to do the work. Because of this method, the resulting images are much more durable than those produced by direct thermal printing, showcasing greater resilience against various environmental factors such as moisture and chemicals. This makes thermal transfer ideal for applications requiring longevity.
Comparison of Features
| Feature | Direct Thermal | Thermal Transfer |
| Durability | Moderate | High |
| Environment Sensitivity | Sensitive to heat/light | Durable: some grades are resistant to heat, chemicals, abrasion |
| Cost | Lower | Higher (due to ribbon usage) |
| Print Lifespan | Short-term (6-12 months) | Long-term (up to several years) |
| Maintenance | Minimal | Also minimal |
Use Cases
Because of these qualities, direct thermal printing tends to be best suited for temporary applications such as shipping labels and retail barcode labels. In these situations, the shorter lifespan isn’t a drawback.
However, if your labels are intended for outdoor use or need to be durable —like asset tagging or ingredient labels that encounter moisture—thermal transfer is the preferred choice due to its robustness and resistance to wear
What to Consider When Buying Thermal Labels
When choosing thermal labels, consider what you need them to do whether you need labels that can handle extreme temperatures or ones that peel off cleanly.
Find the Perfect Thermal Labels online – Shop Thermal Labels at Accurate Labels!
Or contact us for Custom-size thermal labels and materials.
1). Label Types (facestock)
Facestock is the label’s surface (i.e., the main material of a label where the information gets printed). In a Pressure Sensitive Label (PS label), this material works together with a sticky adhesive and a protective backing. Each part is carefully chosen to make sure the label does exactly what it needs to, like sticking well and lasting long.
Paper Thermal Labels
Paper labels are often the go-to option for many businesses due to their cheaper pricing.
These labels can be found everywhere—from shipping packages to retail price tags—thanks to their affordability and satisfactory print quality.
Synthetic Thermal Labels
On the other hand, if you need something more rugged, or if the label will be exposed to moisture, then synthetic thermal labels are the way to go.
Synthetic thermal labels are typically made from polypropylene which provides superior durability compared to paper thermal labels.
2). Adhesive Types (specifically for thermal labels)
The performance of a thermal label doesn’t just lie in its material but also in the adhesive used. When selecting labels, best to think about the end-use.
The adhesive type can make or break your label’s performance based on where you’re applying it.
- Removable: Provides a secure hold but can be easily removed without leaving any sticky residue behind and is commonly used in retail applications where labels might need to be taken off without damaging the product, such as retail barcode and price tags.
- Permanent: Designed to create a strong, lasting bond with the surface it’s applied to and ideal for applications where the label needs to stay in place permanently, such as shipping labels, product identification, and barcode labels. Permanent/Chiller Adhesive can be ok if applied to products at ambient temperature & then frozen. But you may want to consider a more aggressive adhesive such as a freezer-grade.
- Freezer-grade adhesives: Specially formulated to maintain its adhesive properties in freezing and refrigerated environments and widely used by food manufacturers and in industries where products are stored in cold conditions, like frozen foods or pharmaceuticals.
- Standard freezer adhesives such as RH9 Adhesive work well on cartons.
- More aggressive freezer adhesives like Avery C2075 + RH3 Adhesives work better on plastic surfaces and can be applied to already frozen products.
3). Printer compatibility
It’s important to make sure that the thermal labels you choose for your printer are compatible with its specs. Label Width, Label Core Size, and Label Roll Diameter are the three most important things that determine if a label will work with a certain printer.
Label WidthLabel Width refers to the measurement of the label that is across the line of the feed: Measured in millimetres, this is the width of the labels. The labels you choose must fit within your printer’s maximum label width or you won’t be able to print on them.
LabelAn adhesive Label is consists of four layers: topcoat, facestock, adhesive, and liner that is cut into desired shapes Core SizeCore Size is the diameter inside of the core, usually made from cardboard. Our standard core sizes are 26mm, 41mm, and 76mm: A cardboard or plastic tube, known as the core, sits in the centre of the label roll. It’s important to make sure that the core size fits your printer’s needs so that the roll fits correctly on the spindle.
- Most desktop printers can handle core sizes between 25 mm (1 inch) and 40 mm (1.5 inches).
- Some industrial printers can only use 76 mm (3 inches) cores. Others can use the smaller core sizes
LabelAn adhesive Label is consists of four layers: topcoat, facestock, adhesive, and liner that is cut into desired shapes Roll Diameter: This is the overall diameter of the entire label roll, including the labels and the core. The roll must be small enough to fit within the printer’s housing, allowing it to feed labels smoothly. Most desktop printers can take label diameters of up to 127mm. Most industrial printers can take label rolls of up to 203mm.
You can find this information in your printer model specification sheet (generally on the manufacturers website, or find printer spec sheets).
Summary
Thermal labels are often more cost-effective than thermal transfer labels, mainly because they don’t require ink for printing. However, they are sensitive to UV light and may fade over time. That said, selecting the right one can ensure they last a long time, even in challenging environments where they might be exposed to moisture or freezing temperatures.
When choosing thermal labels, it’s crucial to consider the end-use: what conditions will the labels face, and how long do they need to last? These factors will help you determine the appropriate Facestock and Adhesive for your needs.
For expert advice on thermal labels, get in touch with us at Accurate Labels. If you already know what you need, shop for thermal labels now!
