Thermal adhesive labels: which features should they have?

Thermal adhesive labels are an economical, versatile, and widely used labeling solution in industrial and commercial settings. In this guide, you'll discover how they work, what materials are available, when to use them, and how to choose the thermal label best suited to your business's needs.

Index

• Introduction

• What are thermal adhesive labels?

• Types of thermal adhesive labels

• Advantages of thermal labels

• How to choose the right label for your business

• Thermal transfer labels vs. direct thermal labels

• Conclusions

Introduction

In the world of industrial labeling, simplicity and speed are often crucial. Thermal adhesive labels meet these needs perfectly, allowing you to print variable information without the use of ink or toner.

They are used daily in large-scale retail, logistics , food and beverage , and anywhere else where labels need to be applied quickly, easily, and cost-effectively. However, not all thermal labels are created equal: materials, durability, and resistance vary depending on the application.

What are thermal adhesive labels?

Thermal adhesive labels feature a special heat-sensitive layer. Printing occurs using a thermal printer that activates the surface layer using heat, printing text, codes, or logos.

The main feature is that they do not require ink , making them an economical and practical solution for large printing volumes.

How they work

The operation is simple:

1. The thermal printer applies localized heat.

2. The thermal layer reacts by darkening.

3. The information is printed directly on the label.

This system is ideal for barcodes, expiration dates, weights, pricing and logistics information.

Types of thermal adhesive labels

Thermal paper labels

These are the most common and economical. They are often used in supermarket scales, for price labels, and for short-term applications.

Protected thermal labels

They feature a protective layer that improves resistance to touch, sunlight, moisture, and light abrasion. The information can last up to 12–24 months .

Synthetic thermal labels

Made of plastic materials, they are designed for more complex applications such as advanced logistics, humid environments, and prolonged use. They are not considered eco-friendly, but they guarantee high performance.

Advantages of this type of label

The main advantages are:

• reduced cost thanks to the absence of inks,

• print speed,

• operational simplicity,

• flexibility for variable data,

• availability of eco-sustainable versions.

Thermal adhesive labels are ideal when the information is temporary, speed is essential, the cost per label must be low, and printing takes place directly on the production line or at the point of sale.

However, they are not recommended when the label must last many years or is constantly exposed to UV rays and aggressive agents.

Compared to traditional ink-printed labels, thermal labels offer faster processing but a shorter shelf life. The choice always depends on the final application and context.

How to choose the right thermal label for your business

To choose the correct currency:

1. required duration of information,

2. usage environment (light, humidity, temperature),

3. print volume,

4. sustainability goals,

5. type of application surface.

An industrial label maker like Alkam can help you choose the most suitable material, avoiding errors that compromise readability and compliance.

Thermal transfer labels vs. direct thermal labels

When it comes to industrial labeling, one of the most frequently asked questions is: are direct thermal or thermal transfer labels better? The answer depends on the end use, the required durability, and the environment the label must withstand.

Direct thermal labels

Direct -print thermal adhesive labels work without ink or ribbon: the printer uses heat to activate the thermal layer of the label.

They are ideal when:

• the information is temporary,

• print speed is a priority,

• costs must be contained,

• The label is not exposed to sunlight, heat or humidity for long periods.

For this reason, they are mainly used in large-scale retail trade, in supermarket scales, in internal logistics and for short-term labelling.

The main limitation is durability: exposure to light, heat, or rubbing can cause the information to fade.

Thermal transfer labels

Thermal transfer labels , on the other hand, use a ribbon (inked ribbon) that transfers the ink to the label using heat.

This technology is preferable when:

• the information must remain readable for years,

• the label is exposed to moisture, solvents or abrasions,

• high performance and maximum endurance are required.

Thermal transfer labels are widely used in the industrial, advanced logistics, chemical, pharmaceutical, and export sectors.

Comparison of direct thermal and thermal transfer labels

Typology	Direct thermal labels	Thermal transfer labels
Printing technology	Prints via direct heat on thermal material, without ink	Printing using a ribbon that transfers the ink onto the label
Using ink or ribbon	Not necessary	Required (wax, resin or mixed ribbon)
Duration of information	Short / medium term	Long term
Resistance to light and heat	Low: Print may fade over time	High: Stable printing even in harsh environments
Resistance to moisture and abrasion	Limited	High
Cost per label	Lower	Higher
Print speed	Very high	High
Printer Maintenance	Reduced (no ribbon)	Major (ribbon management)
Typical applications	Large-scale retail trade, scales, internal logistics, temporary labels	Industry, advanced logistics, chemical, pharmaceutical, export
When is it recommended?	When information is temporary and cost is a priority	When maximum durability and strength are required

Conclusions

Thermal adhesive labels are an effective solution for companies seeking speed, simplicity, and cost control. Choosing the right material is crucial to ensure legibility and consistency with usage and sustainability objectives.

Relying on a multi-sector industrial label maker like ours means having a partner capable of guiding you in the right choice, transforming a technical label into a functional and reliable tool. Contact us for personalized support.