Most label printers use thermal technology (heat) to print. However, you can use two different types of thermal printing: direct thermal printing and thermal transfer print.

So, what is thermal printing, and what are the differences between the different types?

What is Thermal Printing?

Thermal printing is a great alternative to laser and inkjet printing, as it requires less maintenance, has a lower cost, and prints almost instantly all while avoiding the bleeding you can get from other forms of printing.

You also, however, need to understand that thermal printing and thermal transfer printing are two different things.      

What is Direct Thermal Printing?

Direct thermal printers apply heat to the paper, turning some parts of it black to form text or images (note that thermal printers use rolls of paper that are specifically designed for this purpose). Thermal printers are most commonly found in shops, where they are used to print customer receipts; since thermal printing requires no ink or toner, it's a cost-effective option.

Direct thermal printers typically have a good shelf life, but they’re not ideal for situations where the printed product will be exposed to sunlight or heat as they’re prone to fading.

In summary, direct thermal labelling is an ideal no-ink solution for labels that don’t need a long life.

What is Thermal Transfer Printing?

Labels that are created via direct thermal printing are not designed to last, and that’s where thermal transfer printing comes in.

Instead of applying heat directly to the paper, thermal transfer printers apply heat to an ink ribbon, which then transfers ink onto the paper.

The downside, of course, is that you have to replenish your printer with a new ribbon from time to time. Still, if you are making labels for inventory, barcoding, or asset tagging, the extra expense is well worth it - thermal transfer labels last a lot longer than standard thermal labels, and they're far more scratch- and abrasion-resistant, too.

When using thermal transfer printing, you also have the benefit of being able to use different types of transfer ribbons that help you to achieve different results.

Thermal Transfers with Label Source

To Recap:

• Direct thermal labelsare cheap, but not suitable for long-term applications
• Thermal transfer labelsare far more durable and less prone to fading, making them great for long-term use

Now that you know how they work, click here to see our collection of thermal transfer labels and other consumables.

You can find all the safety signs, labels, and products you need here at Label Source. Start browsing or get in touch today to find out more.

If you've gone to the trouble of labelling your equipment properly, the last thing you want is for someone to come along and tear those labels off. It's irritating, but more importantly, it makes your items far harder to identify in the event of loss or theft.

Thank goodness, then, for tamper-proof labels! If you want to prevent people from removing your labels, these high-security stickers are the perfect choice, because they are impossible to remove cleanly.

We sell a range of high-quality tamper-proof labels for a variety of purposes. These include:

• Tamper Evident Barcode Labels
• Tamper Proof Calibration Labels
• Tamper Evident Serial Number Labels
• Industrial Grade Laser Labels (Tamper Evident)
• Thermal Transfer Labels (Tamper Evident)

There are two different types of tamper-resistant labels: some, like our tamper-proof calibration labels, will fragment and tear into small pieces if somebody attempts to remove them; others, like our 'tamper evident' range, will leave behind a pattern if they are peeled away (see image above).

No matter what kind of tamper-proof labels you are looking for, Label Source can help! If you can't find what you need, give us a call on 0800 3761 693.

If you are looking for barcode labels, we at Labels Source will be more than happy to help you out. We stock a comprehensive selection of barcode labels to fit a range of different purposes and platforms – and we can deliver these to you in sheets, rolls, and have either variable or static number sequences available too.

When you select your barcodes, you can choose whether you wish to have the prefix and suffix details included or not. We also give you the option of having increasing or decreasing sequences on the consecutively-numbered stickers.

Some of the barcode labels we sell are:

Scanmark – General self-adhesive vinyl labels.

Scanmark Plus – Polyester labels that work in high temperatures.

Scanmark Destructible – Security labels that fracture when tampered with.

Scanmark Tamper Evident – Secure labels that leave a trace when removed.

Scanmark Economy – Laminated paper stickers for more affordable identification.

Scanmark Foil – Aluminium labels for both outdoors and indoors.

Barcode labels are mainly used for identifying products, tracking assets, traceability, controlling stock, and for guarantees/warranties. As well as having all the properties mentioned above, all of our labels are also smudge, chemical, and abrasion-resistant – so when you’ve stuck them down, the chances are they’re staying put.

Come and see our range of barcode stickers now!

Deciding on which products will need PAT test labels needn't be as daunting as you imagine. The legislation states that any portable appliance needs testing: all equipment not part of a fixed installation but that's intended to be connected to one counts as a portable appliance. If your appliance requires a plug, uses a flexible cable, and is intended for use at a generator or plug socket it counts as a portable appliance.

Such items that could require PAT test labels include: kettles, toasters, monitors, printers, vending machines, photocopiers etc. Take a slightly miscellaneous item like a power drill, the drill itself would not need testing but the charging dock would. IT equipment should be thoroughly tested, and this includes the power cords for all equipment too which should be tested separately as they are held to different standards. Extensions cables are also notoriously hazardous so are some of the most frequently tested of equipment.

When you do find yourself in a position where you need to purchase PAT test labels you can guess where sells them, can't you? Here at Label Source we offer a wide range of PAT test labels and stickers that ensure all of your tested equipment is adequately labelled!

Back in 2012, the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) announced that it would be testing a new 'Fee For Intervention' scheme. Under this new initiative, the HSE began to recoup its costs from the businesses that they investigated; previously, these costs were covered by the taxpayer.

Now, almost two years later, the 'Fee For Intervention' scheme appears to have been a success. The HSE's latest report states that "FFI is working effectively and should be retained", adding that "those who fail to meet their legal obligations should pay our costs".

Most will welcome the news that lazy business owners are to foot the bill for their own neglect, and while the FFI scheme has attracted its share of controversy - some business owners have suggested that the HSE will no longer be impartial if their rulings are directly linked to their own revenue - businesses who are mindful of health and safety regulations should have nothing to fear.

On the other hand, those businesses who aren't so safety-conscious should be very concerned indeed. If the FFI really is here to stay (and this looks to be the case), the news should act as a wake-up call to anyone who thought they could get away with cutting corners forever. Perhaps these business owners will sit up and take notice now that it's their own money at stake!

If your business isn't already compliant with UK health and safety law, here are some (though not all) of the areas you'll need to address:

• All workplaces are required to have a Health and Safety Law Notice on display
• Emergency exits should be clearly labelled as such
• Electrical appliances should be PAT tested by a professional electrician
• Passageways should be kept clear and obsctruction-free at all times
• Any other hazards (e.g. high voltage equipment, dangerous chemicals) must be labelled appropriately

It's never too late to start being safety-conscious. Get your workplace up to standard ASAP, or be prepared to foot the hefty FFI costs!