POS Supply Solutions Blog

What Is the Difference Between Direct Thermal & Thermal Transfer Labels?

At POS Supply Solutions, we offer many thermal label roll options, including Direct Thermal Labels and Thermal Transfer Labels. If you are wondering which type of thermal labels you need for your business, check out the information below.

What is a direct thermal label?

Direct thermal roll label rolls work in thermal label printers that do not use ribbons. Just like thermal receipt rolls, they are coated with a chemical that changes color when exposed to heat, so ink ribbons are not needed to create the barcode or text on the label.

What is a thermal transfer label?

Alternatively, thermal transfer label rolls work in label printers that do require ribbons. The ribbon transfers the ink onto the label material to create the image on the label.

Can I print color on these labels?

Direct thermal labels are limited to black imaging because they have no ink, toner, or ribbon. Thermal transfer ribbons, however, can print in color depending on which ribbons you are using. Check out our selection of Wax and Resin Ribbons for Thermal Transfer Printers.

Which type of label is more durable?

Thermal transfer labels are perfect for indoor or outdoor use, as they can withstand varying degrees of heat and cold.

Direct thermal labels, on the other hand, are not meant to be overexposed to heat, cold, sunlight, or abrasion, as these environmental factors can cause the label material to darken or dampen, and make the text or barcode unreadable.

Which will last longer?

As we mentioned, direct thermal labels can fade over time and the imaging can rub off if there is too much exposure to heat, cold or abrasion. Meanwhile, thermal transfer labels are not affected by heat or moisture and their imaging cannot be rubbed off, making them last longer.

However, both thermal transfer labels and direct thermal labels can have a considerable shelf life, as long as you remember to store direct thermal labels away from direct sunlight, hot environments like a kitchen with open flames, and cold environments like a freezer.

The bottom line:

If you are looking to print something simple that doesn’t need to last a very long time - like shipping labels or tickets - and want to keep costs low with a printer that doesn’t require any ink to replace, go with direct thermal printing and direct thermal labels.

If you are looking for labels that need to withstand the elements, or last a very long time - like product labels or certification labels - and to print high-definition text or graphic barcodes in color, then thermal transfer is the way to go.

If you are still not sure what type of thermal label you need, or what works in your label printer, please call us at (888) 431-5800 and we will be happy to help! POS Supply Solutions is your source for all your label product needs.