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KOCustom thermal labels are the printed labels you make yourself, in the exact size, shape and adhesive your application needs. They fall into two families: direct thermal labels, which darken under the printer's heat with no ribbon, and thermal transfer labels, which use a ribbon for a longer-lasting image.
Most projects come down to four choices: face stock, adhesive, size and core size. Get those right and the labels run cleanly on the printer; get one wrong and the whole roll is wasted.
Direct thermal or thermal transfer
Direct thermal labels print without a ribbon, which keeps running costs low, but the image fades over time and under heat or light. Thermal transfer labels use a wax or resin ribbon and stay legible far longer, which is why they are chosen for product identification, outdoor use and records that must be kept.
Adhesive options
Permanent adhesive is the default for shipping and barcode labels. Removable adhesive peels cleanly for price or shelf labels. Freezer-grade adhesive holds at low temperature, and a stronger adhesive is available for rough, dusty or curved surfaces where a standard label would lift.
Size, core and roll
Labels are cut to size and wound on a cardboard core, commonly one or three inches. Roll diameter, core size and the gap or black mark between labels must match the printer and its sensor, otherwise the printer cannot register where one label ends and the next begins.
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FAQ
Will direct thermal labels work in the freezer?
A standard direct thermal label will darken and fade in cold, moist conditions. Use a top-coated or freezer-grade direct thermal label, or switch to thermal transfer with a synthetic face and resin ribbon, for cold-chain use.
Can you pre-print my logo?
Yes. Labels can be flexo pre-printed with a logo or fixed text, leaving the thermal area blank for the variable data printed on demand.
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How to Match Ribbons with Thermal Transfer Labels?
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Related Keywords
Send the label size, adhesive requirement and printer model; we will confirm the direct thermal or thermal transfer specification.