How to  Choose The Best Thermal Print Labels – Complete Guide

Choosing the right thermal print labels also depends on determining the application need, i.e.; for what type, and for which application, thermal labels are required.

Thermal print labels are extensively used in different industries, such as logistics, retail, healthcare, and other industries, to fulfill the requirements of efficient, high-quality label printing. It is also necessary to choose the right thermal print labels based on their applications, such as shipping, product labeling, inventory management, and more.

 

You can also say that choosing the right thermal print labels involves the understanding of your requirements, the printer’s specifications, environmental conditions, and adhesive performance. Moreover, choosing the right thermal print label ensures durability, readability, efficient labeling, and the best adhesive performance. Following is the complete guideline about how to choose the best thermal print labels depending on their applications.

Thermal Labels 58mm x 39mm DT 800 Sticker per Roll

Understand Thermal Printing Types

Thermal printing is of two types and a complete understanding of both types is the first crucial step in choosing the right thermal labels.

 

The first type is called “Direct Thermal Printing”, in which printing is done by applying heat to specific parts on the heat-sensitive coated material. Because in this printing method, heat-sensitive material is used, the printing with this method has a short lifespan. Because the resultant printing can fade away in the presence of extreme heat or light, this printing method can be used for short-term applications like shipping labels or receipts. This method of printing can not be used for long-term applications because they are not durable in high temperatures or the presence of UV light coming from the sun.

 

The second type is called “Thermal Transfer Printing” in which print is done by the ribbon. The ink is transferred to the label with the help of a ribbon. Because ribbon is used for printing purposes, this type is more durable and can resist fading, moisture, and abrasions. Due to its long-term uses and typically has vast applications in asset tracking, industrial labeling, and product branding.

Determine Your Application Needs

Choosing the right thermal print labels also depends on determining the application need, i.e.; for what type, and for which application, thermal labels are required. Besides this, it is also important to know under which weather conditions and for how long purpose thermal labels are required to be used.

 

For example, the labels that would have been used under moisture, chemicals, or extreme temperature weather conditions, must be made of highly resistant material. Moreover, the adhesive property of thermal labels also depends from surface to surface. For example, smooth surfaces like glass or plastic require different types of adhesive properties than rough surfaces like cardboard, So, before choosing a thermal print label, it is foremost important to determine your requirements.

Choosing The Right Material for Thermal Labels

Always choose thermal labels that are made of materials that fulfill your requirements with suitable properties. For example, for general and short-term uses such as for mailing and packaging, “Paper Labels” are the best choice economically. While “Polypropylene labels” are the best choice for fulfilling more durable applications, they are the most demanding need during outdoor exposure. Thermal labels that are made up of “Polyester”, called “Polyester labels” provide unmatchable durability. Due to this durability, these labels are in high usage in industrial and chemical settings and can resist extreme temperatures, chemicals, and UV exposure.

right thermal print labels

Determine Your Adhesive Property Requirement

It is also important to know for what purpose and for how long, you need the adhesive property of a thermal label. Labels that have “Permanent Adhesive” properties are the best for labeling products because they need to stay in place permanently. Labels having “Removable Adhesive” properties are best for price tagging because they can be removed easily without leaving any residue.

 

Moreover, labels with “Freezing Adhesive” properties are specially designed to be used in icy environments and thus, are best for food packaging and pharmaceutical labeling. Labels with “High-temperature Adhesive” properties are best to use in high-temperature environments. 

Verify Label Compatibility with Your Printer

To ensure smooth operations and high-quality printing results, compatibility must be ensured between labels and your thermal printer. For this, you can check your printer’s specifications regarding label width, length, and roll size, to avoid issues. Moreover, compatibility between printer and label can also affect print quality, so your chosen label material must be compatible with your printer’s capability.

Quality and Durability

Quality and durability are also an important factor that must be considered before choosing the right thermal label. For example, labels with the “Smudge Resistant” property can extensively be used for printing barcodes or text. In short, you can say that smudge-resistant labels can be used to ensure clear printing that must not fade away even when handed frequently.

 

Similarly, labels with “fade resistant” properties are best for outdoor applications because such labels cannot fade away while exposed to sunlight, because they can retain their readability over time. Labels with “tear-resistant property widely used during shipping and rough handling, because they can resist losing information and damage.

 

Conclusion

By considering and analyzing the thermal print label’s quality, durability, and reliability depending on the different uses and industry requirements, you can choose the best thermal print label for your business.