Direct Thermal Film Label is the best choice for both permanent identification and short-term barcodes

Pooja S
3 min readApr 12, 2022

Direct Thermal printers are known for their ease of operation and high shelf life. However, they are not suitable for applications involving prolonged exposure to sunlight or extreme temperatures, as they do not use ribbons or ink. Generally, they are used for shipping labels, patient identification, receipts, and ticket printing.

Direct Thermal Film Label

Direct thermal printers can only print in black or white, and require a clean environment for best results. These labels are available on 1-inch or 3-inch cores, and don’t use ribbons. They are excellent for shipping labels and product identification and are inexpensive. Direct Thermal Film are used in shipping, warehouse, and barcoding applications.

Direct thermal film Label are made of a heat-sensitive layer on the face stock and can be imaged without ribbons. There are two types of Direct Thermal Film: top coated and non-top coated. Top coated Direct Thermal Film offer a smooth thermal coating on the face stock, and non-top coated Direct Thermal Film have a paper backstock. Both types offer excellent image resolution, a matte finish, and are resistant to water, oil, and other elements.

Direct thermal film labels are available in a variety of materials. Polyethylene is a popular choice for outdoor applications, as it’s flexible and highly resistant to harsh chemicals. Polyester labels are water-resistant, durable, and have a matte finish. They’re a cost-effective solution for indoor or outdoor applications. Unlike polyethylene, they’re not waterproof.

The long shelf life of a direct thermal film label is essential for many applications. The ideal lifespan is at least six months, and it’s much longer for labels that are used for shipping and receipts. But direct thermal labels aren’t perfect, and they’re susceptible to scratching and fading when exposed to direct sunlight and high temperatures. Thermal transfer printing on the other hand, involves the use of a ribbon between the print head and label material, melting the label as it passes over it. The result is a label that is slightly darker in color and clearer in image, while lasting up to two years.

Reports related to advanced Materials are available here- https://bit.ly/3Jzx7o9

In the case of direct thermal labels, it’s easy to identify the type by scraping a fingernail across the label. Unlike thermal transfer labels, direct thermal labels won’t get blackened by scraping. They are also not durable in sunlight and heat, so the image will gradually fade and turn dark over time. But unlike thermal transfer labels, direct thermal labels remain scannable for at least six months after printing.

There are many advantages to using direct thermal film labels. Direct thermal labels are heat-sensitive and can fade when exposed to high temperatures and sunlight. The main advantage of this type of label is that it can be easily replaced without the need for costly reprinting. The process of using direct thermal printers involves ribbons, thin films on rolls, which have a special black coating on one side. This coating is typically made of a resin or wax formulation.

--

--