Direct Thermal Label Material
Ribbon-free thermal paper in eco, top-coated and protected grades — the standard for shipping and retail labels.
What is direct thermal label material?
Direct thermal label paper is coated with a thermochromic layer of leuco dye and developer. When the printhead applies heat, the two react and the coating turns black. No ribbon, no ink and no drying time — which is why virtually every courier label, weigh-scale label and receipt is printed this way.
The trade-off is durability. The same chemistry that responds to the printhead also responds to ambient heat, sunlight, oils, plasticisers and solvents, so the image darkens or fades over time. Three grades manage this: eco (uncoated, lowest cost, 3–6 months), top-coated (protective layer, about 12 months, better scratch resistance) and protected (coated front and back for water, oil and alcohol resistance).
Technical specifications
| Facestock | Direct thermal paper 60 / 70 / 80 gsm |
|---|---|
| Grades | Eco (uncoated), Top (top-coated), Protected (both sides) |
| Dynamic sensitivity | Standard and high-sensitivity versions |
| Image life | 3 – 6 months (eco) · up to 12 months (top-coated) |
| Adhesive options | Permanent acrylic, hotmelt high-tack, freezer, removable |
| Liner | White glassine 60 / 65 gsm; linerless option |
| Print speed | Suitable up to 300 mm/s on standard DT printers |
| Common formats | 4x6" (100 x 150 mm) shipping, 58 / 80 mm scale rolls |
| Roll format | Jumbo up to 1,070 mm; slit rolls on 1" or 3" cores |
Values are typical for standard constructions and are not a guaranteed specification. Ask for the datasheet for tolerances and test methods.
Typical applications
- Courier and e-commerce shipping labels
- Supermarket weigh-scale and fresh-food labels
- Warehouse picking and put-away labels
- Pharmacy dispensing and patient wristband labels
- Event tickets and visitor badges
Frequently asked questions
- Why did my direct thermal labels turn black?
- The coating reacted to heat, sunlight or a chemical. Common causes are storage above 40 °C, direct sun on a warehouse rack, or contact with PVC sleeves, plasticisers or solvents.
- Is your direct thermal paper BPA-free?
- Yes. Our standard direct thermal grades use BPA-free and BPS-free developers and are supplied with a declaration of compliance on request.
- Eco or top-coated — which should I order?
- Eco for parcels that will be delivered within weeks and handled indoors. Top-coated where labels are scanned repeatedly, handled with oily gloves or stored for months.
- Can direct thermal labels be used in a freezer?
- Yes with a freezer adhesive and, preferably, the protected grade. Condensation on standard eco paper causes edge lift and image loss.
Related materials and guides
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