Direct thermal labels print without ribbons, delivering fast, clean and economical labelling for short- to medium-life applications in shipping, retail, logistics and healthcare.
Ready to start a conversation about your labels? Contact us to discuss your requirements, or read on to learn more about our direct thermal labels.
Choose the format that fits your workflow—direct thermal is fast to load, clean to run and ideal for short- to medium-life labelling.
Plain White — Blank DT stock for on-demand barcodes, batch numbers and shipping data. Choose uncoated (“eco”) for maximum economy or top-coated for better scuff, moisture and oil resistance.
Colour-Washed (flood-coated) — Practical colour-coding with DT-compatible inks that protect the printhead. We select light, scanner-friendly tints to preserve barcode legibility.
Part-Printed — Fixed backgrounds, borders and logos printed in advance; variable data such as barcodes, dates and batch codes is added on-demand. Ideal for maintaining brand consistency across high-volume runs.
Our DT range balances print quality, shelf life and cost for high-volume labelling. Standard papers cover most jobs; enhanced coatings and DT synthetics step in when conditions get tougher.
Standard Substrates:
All our direct thermal materials are BPA/BPS-free and phenol-free as standard.
Speciality Substrates:
We’ll match face stock and adhesive as a complete construction for your application—read more about adhesive options in the next section.
Choosing the right adhesive is crucial for reliable performance. We offer a variety of options to ensure your labels stay put in any environment.
Adhesive Options:
Not sure which adhesive is best? Our team can guide you.
Deepen your knowledge of direct thermal printing with our related guides and articles.
Guides:
Our guides are here to help you get your labels right, every time.
See all InsightsDirect thermal prints without a ribbon and suits short- to medium-life labels. Thermal transfer uses a ribbon for longer-life, more durable images, especially on films.
Yes — all our direct thermal materials are BPA/BPS-free and phenol-free as standard.
Typically weeks to months indoors, depending on handling and whether you choose a top-coated face. Heat, UV and solvents shorten life; for long-term durability choose thermal transfer.
Yes—use top-coated DT paper with a freezer-grade adhesive for storage down to −80 °C. For cryogenic (−196 °C), switch to thermal transfer films.
Direct thermal paper (eco or top-coated) covers most jobs. For moisture and tear resistance, we offer DT synthetics and enhanced coatings.
Most desktop and industrial thermal printers from Zebra, TSC, SATO, Citizen and others. No ribbon required—just load the rolls and print.
Still have questions? Contact us for tailored advice or samples.
