Thermal Direct vs. Thermal Transfer Barcode Labels

Thermal label printers employ one of two methods to print labels; Thermal Direct (short-term) and Thermal Transfer (long-term).

Thermal Direct

Thermal direct printers use the printhead to heat specially treated label stock to produce black print short-term labels. Thermal direct printing is the cost-effective alternative to label printing as does not require a ribbon to print.

Thermal direct labels are best used in controlled temperature environments out of direct heat or sunlight. One of the main purposes of thermal direct labels is for shipping labels as they won’t need to last for more than one year. For labels that need to last longer than one year or will be exposed to sunlight or heat then thermal transfer labels are recommended.

Common Uses: Event tickets, name tags, shipping labels, samples with a short life cycle (i.e. sold or gifted at the end of a season).

Thermal Transfer

Thermal transfer printers use the printhead to heat special wax or resin ribbons to produce permanent print labels. These labels can endure harsher environments including rough treatment, rubbing and sunlight. Thermal transfer printers can also print direct thermal labels with the correct media and by removing the ribbon.

Common Uses: Product identification labels (stock labels), shelf labels, permanent identification, samples with a long life cycle (i.e. stored in a samples closet post-season).