Direct Thermal Labels

Direct Thermal Labels for Zebra Barcode Printers

Direct thermal labels are heat sensitive and do not require a ribbon. The heat from the print head causes a chemical reaction to turn the paper black.

The advantages of direct thermal printing is that it can be slightly cheaper than buying ordinary labels and a ribbon. The purchase price of a direct thermal only printer is usually cheaper as well since you don't have to pay for the ribbon mechanism and the biggest advantage is for staff since all they have to load is a roll of labels into the printer.

Direct thermal labels are ideal for low volume labelling requirements and where the label doesn't have to last more than a year, although more recent high quality direct thermal labels can last longer. However, you should avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight.

The disadvantage of direct thermal labels is that there is no ribbon to protect the print head from the constant friction of the label stock so therefore the print head life is usually shorter.

What kind of direct thermal labels are you looking for? Permanent, removable or coloured (tinted) labels

What type of barcode label printer do they have to fit into?

Mobile	Desktop	Industrial	Laser or InkJet

Mobile Label Printers

Zebra QL mobile printers can take rolls of labels on small cores (19mm, 25mm) with a maximum diameter of 63mm. In stock are direct thermal, permanent adhesive paper labels

100mm x 75mm (4" x 3") - 150 per roll - suitable for pallet labelling (left)
102mm x 150mm (4" x 6") - 100 per roll - suitable for SSCC labelling (right)

Mobile Label Rolls

QL label printers can also use direct thermal fanfold labels and tags.

Desktop Label Printers

The following label sizes are in stock to suit all Zebra desktop printers such as the LP/TLP and GK, GX Series: all on 40mm cores

40mm x 15mm - 4000/Roll
40mm x 28mm - 2000/Roll
50mm x 28mm - 2000/Roll
100mm x 50mm -1000/Roll
100mm x 73mm - 700/Roll
100mm x 100mm - 500/Roll
100mm x 150mm - 330/Roll

For the entire list of available label sizes click on the 'Permanent Adhesive' or 'Removable Adhesive' buttons above depending on which adhesive you need.

Industrial Barcode Label Printers

For all other Zebra printers like the ZM400 that can take large rolls of labels and tags on a 76mm core (3") we have the following:

40mm x 15mm - 8000/Roll
40mm x 28mm - 5000/Roll
50mm x 28mm - 5000/Roll
100mm x 50mm - 2500/Roll
100mm x 73mm - 1800/Roll
100mm x 100mm - 1500/Roll
100mm x 150mm - 1000/Roll

For the entire list of available label sizes click on the 'Permanent Adhesive' or 'Removable Adhesive' buttons above depending on which adhesive you need.

If you do not see a size that you need, please contact us since we do make custom size labels to order.

Related Information

A4 laser labels	Thermal transfer labels	Ribbons

We have ribbons for TEC, Sato, Datamax and Zebra printers.