Protected Thermal Label Material
Top-coated direct thermal paper protected against water, oil, alcohol and abrasion for cold-chain and industrial use.
What is protected thermal label material?
Protected thermal is direct thermal paper with a functional topcoat over the thermal layer and, in the premium construction, a barrier coat on the reverse. The topcoat shields the image from water, oils, alcohol, blood and mild solvents, and reduces printhead wear; the back coat blocks plasticiser and adhesive migration that would otherwise darken the paper.
It is the grade to use when a direct thermal label must survive chilled and frozen storage, condensation, food fats, hospital disinfectants or repeated scanning. Image life extends well beyond the 3–6 months of eco thermal while keeping the ribbon-free workflow.
Technical specifications
| Facestock | Top-coated direct thermal paper, 70 / 80 gsm |
|---|---|
| Protection | Water, oil, alcohol, fat and abrasion resistant topcoat |
| Back coating | Optional plasticiser/adhesive migration barrier |
| Image life | 12 months+ under normal conditions |
| Adhesive options | Freezer, permanent acrylic, hotmelt high-tack |
| Service temperature | -40 °C to +60 °C with freezer adhesive |
| Liner | White glassine 60 / 65 gsm |
| Roll format | Jumbo up to 1,070 mm; slit to order |
Values are typical for standard constructions and are not a guaranteed specification. Ask for the datasheet for tolerances and test methods.
Typical applications
- Frozen and chilled food labelling
- Meat, fish and dairy packaging
- Cold-chain pharmaceutical shipments
- Laboratory and clinical sample labels
- Industrial parts and WIP labels
Frequently asked questions
- Is protected thermal the same as thermal transfer durability?
- No. It is far more durable than eco thermal, but a resin-printed thermal transfer film still outperforms it for solvent and long-term outdoor exposure.
- Does it work applied directly onto frozen packs?
- With the deep-freeze adhesive, yes — application down to about -20 °C. Tell us the application temperature, not just the storage temperature.
- Does the topcoat affect print darkness?
- Slightly. Protected grades usually need a marginally higher printhead energy setting than eco paper; we supply a recommended print profile with the datasheet.
Related materials and guides
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Send us your facestock, adhesive, liner and roll specification. Low MOQ, OEM/ODM, export to 60+ countries.