Key facts about direct thermal labels
- Printing principle: Direct thermal labels have a heat-sensitive coating – the print head uses heat to turn specific areas of the paper black, without the need for a ribbon.
- Typical applications: Shipping and logistics labels, parcel labels, and price labels on fruit and vegetable scales in the food retail sector.
- Limited lifespan: The print is sensitive to heat and UV light – direct thermal labels are therefore suitable for short-term labelling.
- Two quality grades: Thermo ECO for simple, short-term applications – Thermo TOP with a protective coating on both sides for greater resistance to moisture, grease, alcohol and UV radiation.
- FSC® Mix Credit-certified, solvent-free adhesive: HERMA direct thermal labels are FSC® Mix Credit-certified and feature a permanent, completely solvent-free adhesive.
- Completely BPA-free: Since mid-2019, HERMA has been manufacturing exclusively BPA-free thermal direct labels; phenol-free variants are also available.
- Optimised for automated processes: High print speeds (up to 250 mm/s) and reliable dispensing properties for trouble-free use in labelling systems and packaging lines.
- Flexible formats: Available on rolls or fan-fold, with custom formats and individual die-cuts available on request.
Thermal labels on rolls - great features for many scenarios
There are numerous applications for direct thermal printing on rolls. They are mainly used as identification labels, as well as for all kinds of logistics labels, such as thermal shipping labels, address labels, box labels and pallet labels. Another example of direct thermal labels are those found on fruit and vegetable scales in food retail outlets.
Direct thermal printing requires adhesive labels with a special thermosensitive layer (thermally sensitive paper, or thermal paper for short). The print head in the thermal printer heats up and “discolours” the thermal label in the desired areas. The information on the white thermal label then becomes visible as black print. With this type of printer, labels can be printed without the need for a coloured ribbon. However, the print may change if it is exposed to heat at a later stage, and the print may also fade under the influence of UV light – so these printed thermal labels are more suited to shorter-lived usage.
Advantages of direct thermal labels
Direct thermal labels on a roll prove their worth in everyday use thanks to their high print speed, reliable adhesion and sophisticated roll technology, ensuring trouble-free operation in automated processes.
Printing thermal roll labels at high speed
High speeds can be achieved in thermal printing – so this printing system is particularly suitable for printing large quantities of labels within a short timeframe. Up to 250 mm/s is possible using ECO-quality thermal labels.
Best possible adhesion on a wide range of surfaces
The adhesive on thermal labels can withstand a wide range of temperatures and features strong initial and powerful final adhesion. This means that the thermal roll labels can be used versatilely on many different surfaces, such as rough shipping cartons and packaging films.
Mature roll technology for trouble-free processing of thermal shipping labels
In addition to good printability, processing reliability is crucial during the printing and application of thermal label rolls. Our thermal shipping labels feature strong adhesion to the backing paper and outstanding labelling properties in labelling plants, even at the high labelling speeds found in packaging plants and logistics centres. It only takes one label to cause a malfunction that can quickly bring entire product packaging lines to a standstill.
Attach your thermal labels reliably and securely
HERMA labelling machines are perfect for attaching labels on rolls to various surfaces. An integrated printing solution for thermal labels can also be supplied on request.
Different direct thermal label qualities for different usage scenarios
Direct thermal labels are available in different quality grades: Thermo ECO and Thermo TOP
Thermal labels made of ECO material (ECO = Economy quality)
HERMA thermal ECO labels have a limited service life. They have no protective layer against UV radiation, moisture, grease or alcohol. This inexpensive material is ideal for short-lived labels, such as scales labels in supermarkets. They can also be used as logistics labels on shipping cartons that are not exposed to complex conditions. Wet conditions and contact with plasticised items (e.g. soft PVC) should be avoided as this may alter the print on the thermal label.
Thermal labels made of TOP material
HERMA thermal TOP labels have a protective coating on both sides for additional protection against UV radiation, moisture, grease and alcohol. They are ideally suited where a slightly more extended service life is required for labels. TOP thermal label rolls are also used where the label paper must be resistant to solvents and grease, and it must also be smudge-proof (in meat product factories, for example, during the packaging of self-service wares).
No bisphenol A in direct thermal labels
Completely BPA-free: Since mid-2019, HERMA has switched completely to BPA-free direct thermal labels. There are also completely phenol-free direct thermal labels in the range.
HERMA thermal labels are available in many standard formats in our online store:
Thermal labels on rolls
In addition to identification labels, you’ll also find label formats here that are particularly suitable for use as thermal shipping labels (shipping with service providers such as DHL, FedEx, GLS, UPS and others). The thermal roll labels are permanently adhesive, and the roll core has a diameter of 76.2 mm (in some cases 152 mm). The outer diameter varies depending on the format of the thermal labels, which are wound outwards on the roll.
Fanfolded thermal labels
Thermal paper labels are also available in fanfolded format. The printing characteristics of these fanfolded labels are the same as those of thermal labels on rolls, only the packaging of the labels differs. These standard labels are also permanently adhesive.
Custom-made thermal labels
We will produce thermal labels in your desired format with adhesive material from our in-house production. Special stampings and perforations enable us to create unique solutions for your usage scenario. We’ll be happy to provide you with an individual offer for your thermal labels. Use our enquiry form to get in touch with us fast.
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Thermal roll labels are not what you were looking for?
Discover roll labels for other printing systems:
Labels for inkjet roll printers, for multicolour printing
If you want to have multicolour printing on your labels on rolls, we recommend using a colour inkjet printer (for efficient roll processing) and the matching HERMA inkjet labels on roll.
Thermal transfer labels with a longer service life
If you need labels that last longer, we recommend thermal transfer labels on rolls. Conventional label materials made of paper or film are used (with no special thermosensitive layer). In contrast to direct thermal printing, these printers use a coloured ink ribbon, the ink particles of which are transferred to the label paper in the print head through heat (hence the name, “thermal transfer”). The print is durable and will not fade. The thermal transfer printer, the coloured ribbon and the label material must all interact perfectly to achieve high-quality printing results.
Frequently asked questions about thermal labels
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