Printing method

• Direct thermal (thermal labels) – Thermal paper has a sensitive coating that darkens under the heated print head. No ribbon is needed. The print, however, gradually fades under the influence of heat, light and abrasion. In normal warehouse conditions it remains legible for roughly 6–12 months. Thermal labels are therefore used mainly for shipping and address labels, retail scales and short-term marking.
• Thermal transfer – The ink is transferred to the label by heat from a ribbon. The print is durable, and both paper and plastic films can be printed. It is chosen for long-term warehouse marking, rating plates and labels exposed to moisture or chemicals. Ribbons are made of wax, wax-resin and resin; see TTR ribbons for details.
• Laser and inkjet printers – Office printing uses labels on sheets. Labels for laser printers must withstand the temperature of the fuser unit. A label designed for inkjet printing may soften and come loose in a laser printer and damage it, and the toner does not bond well to it either.

Thermal paper comes in two versions. The cheaper version without a protective layer (referred to as eco) suits short-term use. The version with a protective layer (top) is more resistant to abrasion and moisture.

Materials

• Paper – The most widely used material, matt or semi-gloss. It suits cartons and dry environments but copes poorly with moisture and abrasion.
• Polypropylene (PP) – Resistant to water and weak acids, tear-resistant and adheres well to plastics. It is used on bottles, canisters and tubes.
• Polyethylene (PE) – Flexible, so it suits soft packaging that deforms in use.
• Polyester (PET) – Withstands temperatures above 100 °C, UV light and chemicals. It is used on electronics, rating plates and outdoor marking.
• Security materials – A VOID label leaves the word VOID on the surface when removed. A label made of brittle destructible film breaks into small pieces when someone tries to peel it off. Both types reveal tampering, for example on warranty seals, metres or electronics.

Adhesive and backing paper

• Permanent adhesive – It grabs quickly and the bond keeps building for several hours. The surface must be clean and dry, and the temperature must not be lower than the minimum application temperature stated by the manufacturer.
• Removable adhesive – The label can be peeled off without adhesive residue for a certain period, after which the bond becomes permanent. It is used on goods with a short shelf life.
• Freezer-grade adhesive – It stays flexible even in the cold. Standard freezer-grade adhesives can be applied down to −20 °C and withstand −40 °C; special versions withstand considerably lower temperatures.
• Backing paper (liner) – Paper or film with a silicone coating from which the label is peeled. Automatic applicators need a liner with consistent properties, otherwise the labels jam.

Rolls, format and printer

• Core – Desktop label printers most often use a 25 mm core, industrial printers 76 mm. A 40 mm core is also available.
• Roll diameter – Small desktop printers take a roll of around 127 mm in diameter, industrial printers around 200 mm.
• Logistic label – According to the GS1 Logistic Label Guideline, the most widely used format is A6 (105 × 148 mm). It is sufficient when the label carries only the SSCC or little additional data. For more data, A5 (148 × 210 mm) is recommended. The SSCC is encoded in a GS1-128 barcode.

We supply thermal labels and self-adhesive labels on rolls. Labels in other sizes, of other materials or with printing are made to order to your specifications.

Choosing the right label

• Period of use – A thermal label is enough for short-term shipping labels. Thermal transfer printing is chosen for long-term marking.
• Environment – Cold, freezing conditions, moisture, outdoor use or chemicals determine both the material and the adhesive.
• Surface – Cardboard, film, glass, metal, curved or uneven surfaces.
• Printer – Printing technology, maximum label width, core diameter, maximum roll diameter and winding direction.
• Removal – If the label is to be peeled off later, a removable adhesive is chosen.

Points to watch

• Thermal labels and heat – In sunlight, near a heat source or after a longer period in storage, the print fades. Thermal labels are not suitable for long-term marking.
• Bisphenol A – Since 2 January 2020, thermal paper containing 0.02 % or more bisphenol A by weight may not be placed on the EU market (Annex XVII to the REACH Regulation, entry 66).
• Applying labels in the cold – A label applied below the minimum application temperature may come off, even if the adhesive itself withstands low temperatures.
• Mixing up labels – Labels for inkjet printing do not belong in a laser printer.

Related products

TTR ribbons are used for thermal transfer printing. Handling instructions can also be carried by printed adhesive tape. Labels are applied to corrugated boxes, envelopes and bags.

What to send with your enquiry

• Label size (width × height), number of labels across and number per roll
• Printer: type and model, direct thermal or thermal transfer, core diameter, maximum roll diameter and winding direction
• The surface the label is applied to and the environment (cold, freezing, moisture, outdoors)
• Adhesive: permanent, removable or freezer-grade
• For pre-printed labels, the artwork and number of colours
• Monthly consumption

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a thermal label and a thermal transfer label?

A thermal label darkens directly under the print head and needs no ribbon, but the print fades over time. A thermal transfer label is printed through a ribbon and the print is durable.

How long does the print on a thermal label last?

In normal warehouse conditions, roughly 6–12 months. Heat, light and abrasion shorten this period; the version with a protective layer lasts longer.

Which label should be used on frozen goods?

A label with freezer-grade adhesive. It is important to respect the minimum application temperature stated by the manufacturer and to apply the label to a dry surface free of frost.

What format is a logistic label?

According to GS1, most often A6 (105 × 148 mm), and A5 for more data. The size must, however, also match the printer and the customer’s requirements.

Can you make labels in our size?

Yes. Send us the size, printer type, surface and environment, plus any print artwork. We will prepare a price based on your specifications.