Thermal labels are made up of a special type of paper that is best in terms of cost-effectiveness and commonly used for temporary applications such as shipping labels and receipts.
Thermal Labels can be defined as specialized labels that have heat-coating on them and can print images or text on them by interacting with heat emitted by the thermal printers. They are commonly used for printing barcode labels, shipping tags, and receipts and do not require any ink or toner. They are considered the cornerstone of modern labeling solutions in terms of reliability, versatility, efficiency, and economy.
Types of Thermal Labels
Thermal Labels are of the following types.
Direct Thermal Labels
Direct Thermal Labels can be defined as those that have a heat-sensitive coating and can print images and text when exposed to heat. This means that Direct Thermal Labels require only heat rather than ink or toner. They are commonly used for printing shipping labels, food packaging, and temporary tickets and are considered simple, cost-effective, and ideal for short-term uses.
Thermal Transfer Labels
Thermal Transfer Labels can be defined as that type of thermal label that has the capability of transferring ink onto the label surface when exposed to heat. Actually, these thermal labels have a heat-sensitive ribbon that can transfer ink onto the label surface. They are commonly used for fulfilling long-term labeling needs and thus, are used for asset tracking, product labeling, and outdoor applications. Moreover, this type of thermal label is best for high-quality output, because they have the ability to resist harsh environmental conditions.
Composition of Thermal Labels
Thermal labels are made up of the following materials and each one has a specific role in printing things on Thermal Labels.
Paper:
Thermal labels are made up of a special type of paper that is best in terms of cost-effectiveness and commonly used for temporary applications such as shipping labels and receipts. However, the paper is less durable and can be damaged while reacting with moisture and excessive heat.
Polypropylene:
Labels that have Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene (BOPO) in their composition, can resist water, oil, and tearing. This ability makes them suitable for products like cosmetics, food containers, and beverage bottles. The presence of BOPP in the composition enhances the thermal labels’ durability so that they remain intact during changing environmental conditions.
Polyester:
The presence of Polyester in the composition of Thermal Labels makes them capable of resisting changing weather conditions, chemicals, and abrasions. Due to the presence of polyester in the composition of Thermal Labels, they are used for labeling machinery, outdoor equipment, and hazardous materials.
Uses of Thermal Labels
Thermal Labels have many applications in various industries to fulfill different printing needs. For example, in the Shipping and Logistics Industry, they are basically used for parcel tracking and address labeling to keep the supply chain operations streamlined.
In retail, Thermal Labels are used for printing barcodes, pricing labels, and shelf tags, in order for smooth transactions and inventory management. Moreover, in the healthcare industry, thermal labels are used for patient wristbands, and prescription bottles, and for labeling lab samples.
Conclusion
In the end, you can say that Thermal Labels are special type of label that uses heat to print and that can be used for different printing and labeling purposes depending on the long-term and short-term requirements.