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On this page, you'll find our selection of
Direct Thermal Labels|Thermal Labels |
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Direct Thermal Labels
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We sell Direct Thermal Labels at wholesale prices.
If you're looking for the least cost printed label (in volume), a direct thermal label is your choice.
It doesn't have as long of a life-span as a thermal TRANSFER label, but is almost as good a quality initially and lasts for about 6 months.
Direct thermal labels have their disadvantages too. (as does everything)
Direct thermal labels allow you to print your image (text, graphics or bar codes) directly onto the paper stock label.
You do need a thermal printer to print direct thermal labels, but you don't need thermal ribbon.
With direct thermal labels (as the name implies), the printhead of your thermal printer is printing directly onto the label.
This is down with heat.
Direct thermal labels are coated with microscopic capsules of ink.
Visualize spray painting "ink" onto a sheet of paper.
But the ink is coated so you don't see the black until it broken up.
I'm sure you've seen "thermal paper" the same material that direct thermal labels are made from; it's the special paper that you used to put in old-fashioned thermal fax machines.
If you've even seen those old faxes (especially after they're about a year old, you'll notice that the image has faded and the sheet of paper has become gray.
That's because those microscopic capsules have burst due to heat or cold or have been scratched.
The biggest drawback of direct thermal labels is this phenomenon.
They don't last as long.
If you only need a crisp image for 6 months, (maybe a year), direct thermal may work for you.
Bakeries, and in-house tracking of parts can benefit with a fast cheap direct thermal label.
For a permanent label, like a shipping label, you best go with thermal TRANSFER labels.
They're described in greater detail on another page of this website.
Direct thermal labels can be printed with smaller printers.
Direct thermal printers don't require ribbon, so they can be portable.
They also take up less counter-top space, but they are sensitive to heat and cold and light, so if those issues are present in your application and you need a label to last a while, direct thermal labels are not a good choice for you.
If you're not sure what type of labels you buy, here's a trick to find out.
Lay one of your labels out flat on a hard surface (like a desk), rub your fingernail or a pen cap across the label.
If you see an image where you've scraped, you've got a direct thermal label, if you don't see any marks, it's not a direct thermal label.
Which means there is no coating on the label.
One of the other draw-backs of direct thermal labels is the fact that you can only print on paper.
These microscopic beads of ink are only coated on paper.
For a special duty label, like polyester, polypropylene, or kimdura, you're out of luck.
Also, because the printhead comes so close to the paper label, it tends to wear out the printhead of your thermal printer much more quickly.
Another thing to consider is the fact that Direct thermal labels aren't as resistant to chemicals, grease or solvents either.
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