If you’re here, this means you’re curious about barcode clarity and print longevity, and more specifically – Thermal Transfer Ribbons. Do you find yourself lost in the terminology of wax, resin, or wax-resin ribbons? Unsure which type suits your printing needs? Fear not! We’re here with the best guide to thermal transfer ribbons, answering your questions and guiding you through the various aspects of this special kind of ribbons.

From price tags on clothing, barcodes on grocery items, or labels on laboratory samples, trust me, thermal transfer ribbons are everywhere!

So, if you’re curious to know more about these tiny superheroes of the printing world, stick around.

The reason why we have brought you the full info on how they work, the different types available, and the advantages and disadvantages, is to educate you on the best way to choose the right kind based on your specific needs.

Without any fluff, let’s get straight into it, starting with the understanding of what are these ribbons, exactly.

What is a Thermal Transfer Ribbon?

Thermal transfer ribbon, often simply referred to as ‘ribbon’, is a critical part of thermal printing. These ribbons find extensive use in various industries and deliver optimal print quality depending on the ribbon type used.

A thermal transfer ribbon is a component used in thermal transfer printers to print your desired images or barcodes on the material – usually thermal transfer labels. With help from a thermal printhead, the printer precisely melts the wax or resin from the ribbon onto the label surface, to create a durable print.

These ribbons play a crucial role in ensuring high-quality, durable prints for labeling and barcoding applications across various industries such as manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, retail, and more.
Choosing the right type of ribbon for your specific application is essential in achieving the desired print quality and longevity of the labels.

But before going to that part, you need to educate yourself about some important aspects until you can make the decision the right one.

This is why let’s get a good understanding of how the structure of a transfer ribbon looks and behaves.

The Structure (Different Layers) of Transfer Ribbon

Every thermal transfer ribbon consists of four layers – a ribbon black layer, a wax or resin layer, a base film layer, and the back coating.

While the black layer provides color, the wax or resin forms the characters or barcode upon melting. The base film offers support, and finally, the back coating protects the printhead.

To understand the construction and application of each layer, have a look at this brief listing:

1. Ribbon Black Layer: This layer is made of a pigmented material that provides the color for the printed images or text. It is responsible for the visual representation of the printed content on the label or substrate.
2. Wax or Resin Layer: The wax or resin layer is the functional layer of the ribbon that contains the ink which melts and transfers onto the label or substrate when heat is applied. This layer is crucial for creating high-resolution, durable images and text.
3. Base Film Layer: This layer serves as the foundation of the thermal transfer ribbon, providing support and stability to the other layers. It is typically made of polyester or similar materials and is essential for maintaining the integrity of the ribbon during printing and handling.
4. Back Coating: The back coating is a protective layer applied to the underside of the ribbon. It serves to protect the printhead of the thermal transfer printer from damage caused by friction, heat, or debris during the printing process. This layer also helps to prolong the life of the printhead and ensure consistent print quality.

While the three mentioned types are the primary categories of thermal transfer ribbons, there are also variations within these types, catering to specific needs. Some additional considerations are:

• Color Ribbons: Vibrant prints, perfect for colorful labels.
• Near-Edge Ribbons: High-speed precision for efficient printing.
• Textile Ribbons: Durable prints for fabric labels.

Each of these layers plays a critical role in the functionality and performance of the thermal transfer ribbon, working together to produce high-quality, long-lasting printed labels and images.

Types of Thermal Transfer Ribbon

Now, it’s time to discuss the types of thermal transfer ribbons in the industry that you can utilize when it comes to customizing your own ribbons for the best thermal label.

Whether you’re navigating the cost-effective landscape of wax ribbons, seeking the balance of wax resin, or requiring the uncompromising durability of resin ribbons, each type serves a distinct purpose.

Here are the 3 main types of ribbons available in the market:

1. Wax Ribbons

Wax ribbons use a standard wax base, best suited for paper material due to their lower smudge resistance. They are made of wax-based ink that is transferred onto paper or other materials through the use of heat, usually from a thermal transfer printer.

They are perfect for general use and offer the lowest price of thermal ribbons.

To be more specific, they are used for printing barcodes, labels, and other types of high-volume printing applications. The wax-based ink used in these ribbons provides a durable and long-lasting print, making them ideal for industrial and commercial uses.

2. Wax-Resin (Hybrid) Ribbons

A wax resin ribbon is a premium blend of wax and resin, ensuring a harder print than wax thermal ribbons. It offers better resistance to smearing, ideal for semi-gloss paper and some synthetic materials.
Wax-resin ribbons, also known as hybrid ribbons, are a type of thermal transfer ribbon used in barcode and label printing. They are a combination of wax and resin materials, which makes them more durable and resistant to wear and tear compared to standard wax ribbons.

This makes them suitable for applications that require more durable and long-lasting labels, such as outdoor labeling, shipping and logistics, and even asset tracking.

3. Resin Ribbons

Resin thermal transfer ribbons, often referred to as ‘durable resin’, make use of a full resin formulation. They are designed for extreme environments and are most resistant to smudging and scratching.

These ribbons are made of a special type of ink, which is a resin-based material that has a high degree of durability and resistance to harsh environmental conditions. These ribbons are characterized by their composition, which includes a higher percentage of resin compared to wax or wax-resin ribbons.

Resin ribbons are designed for use in applications where labels need to be able to withstand exposure to extreme temperatures, chemicals, and abrasion. This makes them ideal for use in industries such as healthcare, automotive, and manufacturing, where labels need to remain readable even in challenging conditions.

Here is A Table Comparison for the 3 Types of Ribbons

What Is CSO And CSI?

Coated Side In (CSO) and Coated Side Out (CSO) are two terms explaining the orientation of the coating that is done on a thermal transfer ribbon. For instance, Zebra printers often use CSO-oriented ribbons and cater to a broad range of industrial thermal transfer applications.

CSO means that the coated side of the ribbon faces outwards, away from the label or material being printed on. This means that the ink is transferred from the ribbon onto the label as it passes through the printer.

On the other hand, CSI means that the coated side of the ribbon faces inwards, towards the label or material being printed on. Here the ink is transferred from the ribbon onto the label as it comes into contact with the ribbon inside the printer.

It’s important to use the correct ribbon orientation for your specific printer and application to ensure the best print quality and durability. So, make sure you get clear info on these “little things” while checking the thermal rolls or transfer ribbons for yourself.

Where Are Thermal Transfer Ribbons Used For?

From shipping labels to clothing tags, thermal transfer ribbons are used in various domains. Industries such as retail, hospitality, logistics, the health sector, and more make use of thermal transfer ribbons for reliable barcode printing, maintaining organization, and inventory control.

Thermal transfer ribbons are commonly used for printing labels and tags for products, packaging, and shipping. They are also utilized in industries such as manufacturing, automotive, pharmaceuticals, and food and beverage for printing information such as batch numbers, expiration dates, and product identification.

These are used in the healthcare sector for printing wristbands, patient identification labels, and specimen labels.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Thermal Transfer Ribbons

Thermal transfer ribbons excel in durability, high-quality print, color range, and versatility across various materials. They’re superior compared to direct thermal printing. However, they are also a bit pricier than the latter and require a ribbon change after some use.

Hence, when it comes to the advantages and disadvantages of thermal transfer ribbons, you need to understand both of them before you go for the right one when you’re choosing one of these.

Also, the reason why we have presented you with all of these points, structures, types, uses, etc., aspects of thermal transfer ribbons so that you can recognize the best one for your needs.

5 Powerful Advantages of Thermal Transfer Ribbons

1. Durability: Thermal transfer ribbons produce long-lasting, durable prints that are resistant to fading, smudging, and scratching.
2. High-quality print: They offer sharp and clear prints with high resolution and precise details.
3. Color range: Thermal transfer ribbons come in a wide range of colors, allowing for vibrant and customizable printing.
4. Versatility: They can be used on various materials, including paper, film, foil, and synthetic materials.
5. Superior to direct thermal printing: Thermal transfer ribbons provide better print quality and durability compared to direct thermal printing.

4 Main Disadvantages of Thermal Transfer Ribbons

1. Price: Thermal transfer ribbons are generally more expensive than direct thermal printing supplies, making them a costlier option for printing needs.
2. Ribbon change: They require the ribbon to be changed after a certain amount of use, adding to the cost and maintenance of the printing process.
3. Set-up and maintenance: Using thermal transfer ribbons may require additional set-up and maintenance compared to direct thermal printing, as the ribbon and printer settings need to be properly calibrated.
4. Print speed: Thermal transfer printing can be slower compared to direct thermal printing, which may not be suitable for high-volume printing needs.

You can consider the different disadvantages and see what works for you and against you here. For some people quality and durability are the most important, while for some price is the top priority.
And with whatever suits best for you, it will help you understand the perfect material that fits your goals.

Now, without any ado, let me take you to the final part of this article, where you’ll get the cream of the article. After educating yourself on all the various types, structures, benefits, disadvantages, and stuff, you need to understand the factors to consider while choosing the right transfer ribbon for you or your business.

Tips To Choose The Best Quality Thermal Transfer Ribbons

When choosing thermal ribbons, consider your printing needs, substrate material, and the environmental conditions the labels will be exposed to. The best thermal transfer ribbon for you is ultimately one that delivers exceptional print quality at a suitable price.

Here are some tips to help you choose the best quality thermal transfer ribbons:

1. Understand your printing needs: Consider the type of label you will be printing, such as barcode labels, shipping labels, or product labels. Different applications may require different ribbon formulations to ensure optimal print quality and durability.
2.  Consider the substrate material: The substrate material, such as paper, synthetic materials, or films, can impact the choice of thermal transfer ribbon. Some ribbons are designed specifically for certain types of substrates to ensure adhesion and durability.
3. Evaluate environmental conditions: If the labels will be exposed to harsh environmental conditions such as extreme temperatures, moisture, or chemicals, it is important to choose a ribbon that can withstand these conditions to ensure the longevity of the printed labels.
4. Quality of print: Look for thermal transfer ribbons that offer high-quality, sharp, and durable printouts. The ribbon should ensure that the printed labels are clear, easy to read, and can withstand environmental factors without smudging, fading, or smearing.
5. Compatibility with printer: Make sure the thermal transfer ribbon is compatible with your printer model. Some ribbons are specifically designed for certain types of printers, so it’s important to check compatibility before making a purchase.
6. Cost-effectiveness: While it’s important to choose a high-quality thermal transfer ribbon, it’s also important to consider the cost. Look for a ribbon that offers a good balance between quality and price, ensuring that you are getting the best value for your money.
7. Supplier reputation: Choose a reputable supplier who offers a wide range of thermal transfer ribbons and provides excellent customer support and technical assistance. A reliable supplier can help you choose the right ribbon for your specific needs and provide ongoing support as needed.

Hence, considering these factors and doing thorough research (which you don’t even need to consider when you come to us), you can choose the best quality thermal transfer ribbons that meet your specific printing needs and deliver exceptional print quality at a suitable price.

FAQs:

1. Are there only black thermal transfer ribbons?

No, there are also colored thermal transfer ribbons available in addition to black.

2. What are the common thermal transfer ribbon problems?

Some common problems with thermal transfer ribbons include wrinkles, wrinkles on the ribbon, poor print quality, and ribbon jams.

3. Can thermal transfer ribbons be used with any printer?

Thermal transfer ribbons are compatible with thermal transfer printers specifically designed to accommodate ribbon rolls, ensuring optimal printing performance. Some common problems with thermal transfer ribbons include wrinkles, wrinkles on the ribbon, poor print quality, and ribbon jams.

4. How do you properly store and handle thermal transfer ribbons?

To properly store and handle thermal transfer ribbons, it’s important to keep them in a cool, dry environment and avoid exposing them to direct sunlight, excessive heat, or moisture. Proper handling also involves using clean gloves to avoid oil and dirt transfer onto the ribbon.

Conclusion

Therefore, these thermal transfer ribbons play a vital role in the printing industry, and choosing the right type of ribbon is crucial for achieving high-quality prints. Understanding the different types of ribbons, their components, and their applications can help businesses make informed decisions when it comes to selecting the right ribbon for their printing needs.

With the right knowledge and resources, businesses can ensure that their thermal printers are equipped with premium-quality ribbons that deliver excellent results. Need to connect with experts for more information or to source premium high-quality ribbons for your thermal printers? Don’t hesitate to contact us, we’ll be happy to assist.

Labels are everywhere, from the neatly organized rows at the grocery store to the tags on your favorite clothing. Have you ever wondered how these little pieces of information come into existence? More precisely, how are Labels made?

Behind the scenes, there’s a fascinating world of craftsmanship and technology that brings labels to life.

Labels, these unassuming tags, or stickers decorating our everyday items play a pivotal role in our consumer experience.

In this blog post, we are going to discuss everything about how are labels made, in terms of basics, layers, structures, and the main process of label manufacturing.

Before delving into the intricate process of label manufacturing and production, let’s establish a foundational understanding of what labels are and what their structure looks like.

What are Labels?

In the simplest of manners, labels are informational representatives used to be attached to all kinds of physical products, packaging, or items. Serving as concise communicators, they convey essential details that assist consumers in making informed decisions.

Far from mere decorative add-ons, labels also act as purposeful tools designed to facilitate a seamless interaction between consumers and the products they encounter. As lines of information, these discreet markers contribute significantly to our ability to navigate an expansive marketplace effectively.

Now that you’ve established the basic understanding of labels, let’s move towards exploring the simple yet critical process involved in bringing these essential communicators into existence, starting with the structure of labels.

The 4 Primary Structure Of Labels

The first step to making labels is getting the resources needed to assemble a label. To better understand the resources needed to manufacture labels, you should take a look at the different layers of a label and their properties, to have a recipe that works best for you.

Here, we are also going to share a lot about the secret sauce for making labels and what exactly each layer is. So, let’s dive deep into it without any ado.

Facestock

The first step to creating a label is to get the required material to print on, which is also the part of the label your customers will see. Thus, making it one of the most important parts of the label.

The most common materials used as a Facestock for pressure-sensitive labels are virgin paper, recycled paper, plastic, film, and foil. This layer is what basically gives the labels their color, their texture, and most of their properties (such as being waterproof or recycled).

Adhesive

As the name suggests, it’s the sticky part of a pressure-sensitive label. The adhesive gets removed easily from the liner (the backing material) for easy application to your product or container.

In general, there are 4 different types of adhesives based on temperature and strength:

1. All temperature
2. Cold temperature
3. Permanent
4. Removable

In this case, you need to understand the two most important types of adhesives:

1. Removable Adhesive: Again, it goes with the name suggested, they are removable in nature. And this comes straight from considering the strength of the adhesive, where there is a weaker one used for easy peeling. (This is the one we consider in between the facestock and liner)

2. Permanent Adhesive: This is the most widely used type, it means that once the label has been applied, it will not be removed without damaging the label, which is not at all needed in.

Silicone

Now, this layer is completely for the comfort of adhesives to prevent the adhesive material on the facestock from sticking to the liner layer. This is quite crucial for maintaining the adhesive’s effectiveness until the label is applied.

This gives the liners a releasing property, making it known as release layers.

The presence of silicone between the liner and facestock also gives the label numerous features such as water resistance, temperature resistance, durability, and non-stick properties, including medical and pharmaceutical applications.

Liner

This is the layer above which adhesive is applied to stick the removable facestock. It keeps the labels together and makes the sheet ready to go through a printer.

This layer is also called the carrier or backing, for pressure-sensitive labels, it is most commonly a white, blue, or yellow glassine paper, and it has a special coating that allows your labels to be easily removed.

Another common option is polyethylene terephthalate (PET), which was used a lot during the global supply chain disruptions of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coating – The Label Addons

Earlier, in the above section, we talked about the primary layers of a label. Now, let’s take a look at some label addons based on the properties needed to be added to it, for having the right recipe based on your needs.

Before moving on to the actual process of how are labels made, let me give you a basic understanding of the 5 most popular types of coating (excluding adhesive coating) used in the making of labels:

1. Varnish: A clear coating (applied as the outermost layer) applied to labels to add a glossy or matte finish. It enhances the label’s visual appeal and provides a protective layer against wear and tear.
2. Laminate: A coating process that involves applying a thin layer of film over the label surface. It provides additional protection against moisture, chemicals, and abrasion, making the label more durable.
3. UV Coating: This is a sub-type of varnish that is cured using ultraviolet light. It creates a hard and glossy surface, adding both protection and a visually appealing finish to the label.
4. Film Coating: Thin films, such as polyester or polypropylene, can be coated onto labels to provide enhanced durability, water resistance, and resistance to tearing.
5. Thermal Transfer Overcoat (TTO): In thermal transfer printing, an overcoat is often applied to labels to protect the printed information from fading, smudging, or scratching. This is especially important for labels used in industries like logistics and manufacturing.

The choice of coating depends on the specific requirements of the label, the intended use, and environmental factors it may encounter. Manufacturers select the coatings to achieve the desired visual effects, protection, and functionality for the labels in various industries such as packaging, retail, healthcare, and logistics.

How are Labels Made?

Now, after we have a clear understanding of the basics, various layers, and structure of labels with their requirements, let’s dive deep into the multiple steps involved in the manufacturing and packaging of labels.

Step 1: Choose Label Material

As we discussed above, various materials are needed to assemble a label based on the specific requirements, intended use, and factors one wants to consider for the label being used for specific environments.

The different types of materials used in the manufacturing of the label, as we discussed above, include facestock, adhesive, liner, and various types of coating.

Step 2: Printing

The printing process is a set of techniques and methods used to reproduce text and images on various surfaces, such as paper, fabric, plastic, or metal. And we are considering it here for making labels at scale.

The printing step or process plays a crucial role in communication, information dissemination, and product packaging.

These labels are printed with the printing design and other necessary information required for the client. This process generally involves large industrial printing machines that produce labels by the thousands or millions per day.

At times they are printed straight onto the facestock, at other times they are printed onto another material which is added to the facestock. As you know, it’s all about your recipe and the requirements of the job to prepare something that’s best for you, just like we prepare our food.

Top 5 Types of Printing Methods For Labels

Now, there are various types (a lot) of methods that are used in the industry for various uses, and sharing them all here is impossible.

What we have done is, we have brought you the top 5 types of printing methods for labels used commonly in the industry for manufacturing labels. So let’s have a good look at each 7 of them:

1. Flexographic Printing: Most commonly used for large print runs, especially in the packaging and labeling industry. Offers cost-effectiveness and high-speed printing.
2. Digital Printing: Widely adopted for its versatility, quick turnaround, and suitability for short to medium print runs. Ideal for on-demand printing and variable data.
3. Offset Printing: Still a prevalent choice for high-quality, large-volume printing, especially in commercial and publication printing.
4. Screen Printing: Versatile and used for various applications, including textiles, promotional products, and specialty labels.
5. Inkjet Printing: Popular for household and office printing, offering affordability, ease of use, and suitability for various materials.

This is basically all about printing labels, considering the various types of unique requirements for the project and businesses. There are many more printing methods used for labels, we’ll be discussing each of them in our coming articles.

Step 3: Finishing

Every process after printing the label, is referred to as “finishing”. The finishing process of labels involves additional steps beyond the printing phase to enhance the labels’ appearance, durability, and functionality.

Different finishing techniques can be applied to achieve specific effects or to meet the requirements of the intended application. Here are some common finishing processes for labels and their roles:

1. Waste-stripping: Removal of excess material around die-cut labels for a clean and precise finish.
2. Perforation: Creating small, evenly spaced holes along label edges for easy tearing or separation.
3. Embossing and Debossing: Adding raised or pressed patterns for a tactile and visually appealing texture.
4. Foil stamping: Applying a thin layer of metallic or colored foil for a decorative and shiny effect.

Step 4: Die-cutting and Rewinding

Die-cutting: This is a precise process used to cut labels into custom shapes, enhancing brand identity and visual appeal. It ensures uniformity and efficiency in mass production and allows for versatile customization of label shapes.

This precision-cutting method allows for the creation of custom-shaped labels that match unique brand designs and product requirements. Some of the die-cutting properties of labels are:

1. Custom Die Creation: A custom-designed die, resembling the desired label shape, is created. This die can be made of sharp blades for traditional die cutting or can be a laser-cut pattern for more intricate designs.
2. Precision Cutting: The die is pressed onto the label material with precision, cutting through it and shaping the labels. This process ensures uniformity in the shape and size of each label.
3. Efficiency and Mass Production: Die cutting is an efficient process suitable for mass production. It allows for the quick and accurate creation of a large number of labels with consistent shapes.

Rewinding labels: The rewinding process in label manufacturing is a critical step that occurs after the printing and finishing stages. It involves winding or curling the printed and finished labels onto rolls or spools in a precise and organized manner.

This last process is quite crucial for organizing, inspecting, and preparing printed labels on rolls, ensuring convenience, quality control, accurate quantities, and smooth integration into the next production stages.

There are 8 possible orientations for the labels related to how they go onto the final roll. Have a look at all these 8 types of orientations and why they are used:

1. Face-to-Face (F2F): Labels are wound with the printed side of one label directly against the face of the next label.
2. Butt-Cut: Labels are placed end-to-end with no gap or overlap, suitable for individual application.
3. Overlap: Labels are wound with a portion of one label overlapping the next for added surface protection.
4. Reversed Wind (Inside Wound): Labels are wound with the printed side facing the core of the roll.
5. Butt-Cut Reversed Wind: Labels are placed end-to-end, and the roll is wound in a reversed manner.
6. Inside Wound with Overlap: Labels are wound with the printed side facing the core, and there is an overlap between labels.
7. Outside Wound (Face Out): Labels are wound with the printed side facing outward, a common orientation for labels with face adhesive.
8. Outside Wound with Overlap: Similar to outside wound, but with a portion of one label overlapping the next.

Step 5: Quality Inspection, Packaging and Shipping (Post-Manufacturing)

Labels continuously go through quite strict quality inspection to ensure that the produced labels meet the required standards for appearance, accuracy, and functionality. The quality inspection process involves a series of checks and assessments to identify and rectify any defects or issues before the labels are sent to customers.

Coming to the last step of the label manufacturing process is one of the most critical steps to consider, based on most label requirements.

Now, coming on to packaging and shipping, this step involves carefully packing and shipping the finished labels to their destination. Well, it may seem simple, but it’s the last and most important step in business to deliver the customer with our product in the best manner, without any delay.

In packaging, labels are often organized in rolls, sheets, or fanfolds, and they are placed into packaging containers such as boxes and cartons. This helps to prevent damage, bending, or deformation of the labels in transit.

For the shipping part, labels are basically transported using various shipping methods, such as courier services or freight carriers, to reach distribution centers and ultimately customers.

This is how labels are inspected, packed, and transported to various places for distribution after they are manufactured. We shared it with you as it would be unfair if we shared everything about how we manufacture labels and did not tell you the one last step that comes after label manufacturing.

Conclusion

So, there you have it—labels go through quite the journey before ending up on your favorite products!

From material selection and fancy printing techniques to making sure they wind up on rolls just right, it’s like a behind-the-scenes show for those tiny sticky tags. The world of labels is surprisingly complicated, but hey, it’s what makes everything look great and organized on your shampoo bottle or snack bag.

Who knew labels had their own cool story to tell? Cheers to the unsung heroes of label manufacturing and packaging, including our team behind Panda Paper Roll, who have been delivering top-quality labels to all our clients around the globe.

How nice would it be not to have to deal with replacing ink cartridges over and over, not have to wait for your shipping label to be printed, or listen to the noise of a regular printer? With direct thermal labels, that’s a possibility. Direct thermal labels are used with thermal printers that apply heat from a print head which reacts with chemicals in the label to produce a clean crisp image. The advantages of using a direct thermal label are that it’s fast, accurate, uses no ink cartridges, more economical, and more reliable than a traditional printer and copy paper.

Direct Thermal vs Thermal Transfer

Before we get into the benefits of using direct thermal labels, it’s important to differentiate between them and thermal transfer. Thermal transfer printing requires the use of a wax or resin print ribbon to transfer heat from the print head to the label. Direct thermal printing does not use this ribbon and instead applies heat directly from the print head to the direct thermal label. Please refer to this Infographic to know the difference between direct thermal label and thermal transfer label.

Speed

When you go to a gas station and have a receipt printed after pumping your gas, odds are you’re holding a thermal label in your hand. There’s a good reason gas stations use direct thermal labels. They’re fast. It takes just milliseconds to thermal print a receipt compared to minutes with a traditional printer. Imagine if you had to wait a few minutes instead of seconds for your receipt. This is possible because thermal printers don’t have a ribbon with a print head attached that moves back and forth across the paper. Instead, they have a print head that directly applies heat to the surface of the thermal label. The speed of a thermal printer and thermal labels is very important, especially in large scale applications such as printing hundreds of shipping labels. With thermal labels, 100 shipping labels would print in minutes. It would take hours with a traditional printer.

Accuracy

Due to the fact that the ink is embedded in the paper instead of coming from the printer, thermal labels are more accurate. This is because there’s no ink coming from the print head that can smudge on the label. This is why EKG’s are done with thermal printers and labels. They need to be highly accurate for the doctor to be able to read them correctly.

Cartridges

A huge benefit of using thermal labels and printers is that they don’t use cartridges. Instead, the print head applies heat to the thermal label. This heat reacts with ink and chemicals embedded in the label to produce the image or whatever is being printed. So, you will never be left with the prospect of running out of ink in the middle of printing out shipping labels for your business.

Economical

Your wallet will thank you for using a thermal printer. It doesn’t use cartridges. Last time I bought a cartridge for my standard printer, it was $17 for just one cartridge. Now imagine having a business that prints out hundreds or thousands of labels a day. That means going through a lot of cartridges every month. A thermal printer also has almost no moving parts. This means far fewer maintenance costs for the printer. About the only thing you need to do with a thermal printer is to keep the print head clean.

Reliability

Imagine your printer breaking down in the middle of a print job. With a thermal printer, this is far less likely. Thermal labels have a far less likelihood of jamming in a thermal printer because there are no moving parts. Also, due to the fact there are no moving parts, there are fewer things that can break down in a thermal printer.

Conclusion:

So, with the benefits of speed, accuracy, no cartridges, price, and reliability, direct thermal labels along with a thermal printer are an obvious choice. So if you want to be able to print hundreds or thousands of shipping labels in minutes instead of hours, don’t like smudges or smears on your tracking bar codes, don’t want to have to pay for replacement cartridges, want to give your wallet a break, or can’t risk having your printer break down in the middle of a job, then direct thermal labels and printers are right for you.

Labels, in partnership with label printers, are indispensable assets across industries, from businesses to warehouse management and logistics. In this article, we will walk you through the basic knowledge about label printers and label materials, and crucially, methods for measuring label sizes. Reading these will help you better understand how this small peel-and-stick stuff contributes to organizational efficiency and productivity in the modern world.

Label Printers

The production of large volumes of labels and customized labels can be eased by using a label printer, which, as a bonus, is cost-effective. The label printers come in different sizes and prices and use a common technology known as direct thermal printing and thermal transfer printing. Some label printers are designed for fast and bulk printing, while others are designed for detailed and high-definition prints. How well a label printer prints is highly dependent on the type of label roll being used, the best label printers will still not print accurately and clearly if the type of label roll used is of very low quality.

Generally, purchasing a label printer comes hand in hand with purchasing labels, as they are considered to complement each other.

Labels

Labels, or self-adhesive labels, are simply the materials printed by the label printer. Labels come in specific sizes, generally measured in width and height, since label printers are designed in different sizes. So, there is a specifically sized label for a type of label printer. Also, the variety of label printers depends on the printing technology of the label printer and the application of the label.

The selection of good labels will depend on the label printer specification, the size of the labels, the required durability of the labels, the color of the material, and your budget. Generally, labels are usually made of paper or plastic composite materials; other materials may include foils, films, thermal stock, and adhesive.

Types of Labels

There are several types of label rolls, and they are classified according to the printing technology used, the end-use application, and the type of label printer. Here is a list of general types of labels:

• Direct thermal labels
• Thermal transfer labels
• Laser labels
• Tags
• RFID labels
• Freezer labels

The Two Main Types of Labels You Should Know

The two main types of labels are:

While Panda Paper Roll is an established worldwide leader in the production of thermal paper rolls used for Point of Sales, credit card terminals, etc., we are now expanding into an even bigger, more exciting market: thermal labels.

What’s so special about thermal labels? They are extremely cost-efficient and produced by very reliable, high-capacity manufacturing processes. Thermal printers do not use ink, toner, or ribbon and are easy to use and much less expensive to operate than most other printers. The images produced are nice and sharp, with precise edges, and they are highly customizable.

Another advantage is that since thermal printing uses a chemical reaction instead of ink, the printed image is extremely durable; there is no ink to smear or fade. Thermal labels can be printed in huge quantities very quickly. The possible applications of thermal labels are almost endless! Let’s look at some of the ways thermal labels can be used.

1. Shipping Labels

Think about it. Every single box or envelope that is mailed or shipped has one thing: a label! The label can show the shipper, recipient, barcode, or other shipping information. Shipping labels also can contain important information about the package contents, such as how it should be handled, how it should be stored, and other information you want to deliver.

2. Pharmaceutical Labels

There are many laws and regulations about packaging and labeling medicines and pharmaceutical products. They may be required to display information such as expiration dates, batch numbers, dosage, prescription numbers, and so on. Millions and millions of such labels are used every day, and thermal labels are one of the best ways to meet this massive demand.

3. Price Tags

Think of all the hundreds of millions of items for sale in retail stores everywhere. What is the one thing they all have in common? A price tag! Every piece of merchandise must be specifically tagged with price, color, style, and brand and other information that identifies the product. Barcoding is an efficient way to gather that information with a quick scan at the checkout station. Panda Paper Roll can manufacture rolls of these in any quantity you want, whether it’s a few hundred, or millions, using thermal printing.

4. Food & Bakery Labels

Bakeries, supermarkets, butchers, and snack companies– it’s not just important that their foods & beverage taste great; they have to look great, too! More and more, food and beverage companies are finding success through printing their own beautiful food labels – this is also a kind of “packaging marketing strategy”. Panda’s thermal labels are extremely useful in food packaging. Thermally printed food labels are a very neat, cost-effective way to meet food-labeling requirements such as displaying the ingredients, nutritional content, cooking instructions, etc.

5. Barcode Labels

Barcode, sometimes referred to as Universal Product Codes, barcode labels have many more applications than simply pricing and merchandise tracking in stores, such as serial numbers, product numbers, and batch numbers. Barcode Labels come in several variations, such as UPC-A, EAN-13, UPC-E, EAN-8, GS1 DataBar and ITF-14. Typically, they’re scanned electronically using cameras or laser-based systems – either with hand-held devices or stationary modules embedded at checkout counters in supermarkets and other stores. It’s estimated that over 5 billion barcodes are scanned each day worldwide, with a 99% success rate.

6. Product Labeling

Many other labels are used in the quality control and assembly line progress, and thermal barcode labels are generated at each step of the manufacturing process. For example, they may show the Serial Number of the product for use in obtaining service, or the Model Number, or maybe a company contact number. Products stored in warehouses may have inventory identification labels. Whatever is needed, we can produce it!

Conclusion:

As you can see, the uses and marketing opportunities for thermally printed label rolls are virtually unlimited! Panda Paper Roll is ready to work with you in moving into this vast market. Please contact us, and we’ll be happy to chat with you!