If you work in a retail environment, it is likely you have come across thermal transfer labels plenty of times already. These useful labels are mainly used for barcodes and to label things like products and food. Keep reading to find out more about thermal transfer labels.
What is a thermal transfer label?
Thermal transfer labels are created with an industrial thermal printer that uses a wax or wax/resin ribbon. They can be used in many different fields, including retail, catering, logistics and distribution, cosmetics and medical devices. They are able to withstand a temperature range of -15°C to +90°C and are ideal for barcode labelling because they produce high-quality images with perfect definition.
How are thermal transfer labels made?
Thermal transfer printing is a digital printing method which prints by melting a coating of ribbon onto the label. This is different to thermal printing, which does not use a ribbon.
Thermal Transfer printing produces long-lasting, durable images on a variety of different materials including Thermal Transfer Labels. Due to the method they are printed, Thermal Transfer Labels last much longer than just thermal printing labels as they are less light and heat sensitive. Thermal transfer labels retain colour and do not blacken in close proximity with heat.
Where can I buy thermal transfer labels?
Here at Label Source, we have plenty of thermal transfer labels in stock. Ranging from self-adhesive to tamper evident, there's something for everyone. Just click a type of thermal transfer label below to see the full range:
Browse all thermal transfer labels >
We have an extensive range of thermal transfer labels in stock here at Label Source - no matter what size, shape or colour you need your labels to be, we are certain to have a suitable solution for you. Our thermal labels come in a variety of different self-adhesive materials, including paper, vinyl and polyester; if you'd like to add a little extra security, we can even supply you with destructible or tamper-evident thermal labels that cannot be cleanly removed.
Not sure which material will best suit your requirements? Call Label Source on 0800 3761 693 for expert advice!
No matter which material you select, though, you can be assured that your thermal labels will have:
- Superb durability
- Exceptional tack and bond properties
- High print clarity
- A broad operating temperature range
All of our thermal labels are sold blank, allowing you to print them with whatever information you require. And don't worry if you don't have a thermal printer, because we also have a fantastic selection of those in stock!
Click here to browse our range of Brother thermal label printers >
Manufactured by leading printer specialists Brother, our thermal printers are capable of printing high-quality labels very quickly indeed. Our standard Brother thermal label printer prints 62 standard labels per minute, although we also offer a high speed printer that's capable of delivering 93 standard labels per minute. We also stock a large format label printer for larger jobs.
Click here to browse our full range of high-quality thermal transfer labels, or contact us today if you have any queries about any of the Label Source products mentioned above.
Thermal transfer printing can offer many benefits over direct thermal, laser or inkjet printing. It can provide durable, high definition labels, which can withstand exposure to ultraviolet (UV), and temperature extremes, and are chemical and abrasion resistant.
In addition, if printing is required other than black, there are coloured thermal transfer ribbons available, and with some materials there are colour options. Also, the thermal transfer technology allows the use of different substrate materials including paper, polypropylene, vinyl, destructible vinyl, polyester and tamper evident polyesters.
If you have an on-site demand for printing labels, for marking assets or inventory, healthcare or laboratory marking, quality control stickers, product nameplates and compliance labels, or shipping labelling, we have an extensive range of paper and synthetic labelstock on three core sizes, 76.2mm (3 inch), 25.4mm (1 inch) and 40mm. By combining our materials with the correct ribbon type, you can create long lasting labels for indoor or outdoor applications (weatherproof and waterproof for synthetics), including one and two dimensional barcodes, serial numbering, and labels conforming to CE, UL and CSA standards.
These labels are configured to be used on a variety of industrial, desktop and handheld printers from Zebra, Citizen, Toshiba TEC, Intermec and Datamatrix.
Thermal transfer labels are manufactured for use with industrial thermal transfer printers, and come in a selection of sizes, colours and shapes to suit a variety of purposes. They are also available in a variety of materials, in order to allow you to select the appropriate level of durability and security required for your labelling needs. At Label Source, we stock the following selection of Thermal Transfer Labels:
Self-Adhesive Paper
Our self-adhesive paper have a thickness of 71 micron, and are available in a range of sizes and colours. They have an operating temperature range of -15 to +90 degrees (celsius), making them suitable for use in a variety of environments. Each label is top coated for print clarity, making them ideal for barcode labelling.
Self Adhesive Vinyl
Like the regular self-adhesive labels, these vinyl thermal transfer labels come in a wide selection of colours and shapes, with a top coat for print clarity. What sets these labels apart is their high tack and bond properties, as well as their weather and chemical resistant properties. They also have an increased operating temperature range, allowing them to be used at lows of -30 degrees.
Destructible
These labels are available in two material colours, but still come in a selection of shapes and sizes for your convenience. Like the self-adhesive vinyl, the material is highly bonding, and is resistant to weather, water, UV and chemical damage. Unlike the self-adhesive labels, however, these have a thickness of 50 micron for added durability.To provide improved security, the material fragments on attempted removal, which means that it cannot be removed intact or re-used.
Tamper Evident
These labels also come in a thickness of 50 micron, and have an impressive operating temperature of -40 to +150 degrees (C). They are highly durable, and can withstand damage caused by poor weather conditions or contact with chemicals. An ideal choice for security marking, this label will delaminate on attempted removal, leaving a pattern behind to mark the area.
To see our full selection of tags, labels and nameplates, click here.
When printing onto thermal transfer labels it is important to understand the different components and printing combinations to ensure that you get your desired results. There are 3 different types of ribbons used in thermal printers, each have their own unique benefits:
Resin ribbons allow you to print directly onto polyester, vinyl and plastic labels. This produces an extremely durable label which can be used for a variety of applications within logistics and distribution industry.
The wax/resin ribbons, unlike wax ribbons, can be exposed to small amounts of liquid without losing their quality. Wax/resin ribbons produce a more intricate image, ideal for printing your own barcode labels. We recommend use the wax/resin ribbon combined with our top coated thermal transfer labels to enhance the print clarity.
Wax ribbons produce a long lasting image. This is ideal for labels that will you are intending to use for a long periods of time. Our thermal transfer labels feature permanent acrylic adhesive, to ensure that your labels stand the test of time. To ensure that the quality of the image is not lost you must keep these labels way from liquids. Label source recommends that labels created using this ribbon are used to label shelves in your dry stock room, and other dry places in your workplace.
We supply a wide range of thermal transfer labels, all of which have an operating temperature range of -15C to +90C, our labels also retain colour, so they don’t blacken when they are exposed to hot temperatures., making them the perfect choice for companies who are working within the food and medical industries.
We understand that it can be a bit overwhelming trying to find the thermal transfer label that will provide you with the best results. But don’t worry, a member of our friendly customer service team is always at hand to help you. If you have any questions, contact us by calling 0800 3761 693 or email us at info@labelsource.co.uk.
