Thermal Labels for Overprinting

Rapid Labels has a long established reputation in producing labels for thermal label printers.
GS1 Accreditation 942100000000000613.

Having represented Zebra thermal printers in New Zealand since 1989, and now adding Datamax in October 2008, we are pleased to present a vertical offer of thermal printers, parts, service, ribbons and of course – the labels which run in the printers.

There are two types of thermal labels – direct thermal and thermal transfer.

Direct thermal is a more expensive base stock but is a lower cost label overall because it does not require a ribbon when printing. The thermal printer images using heat directly onto the label face, in the same way the original fax machines used to do. Direct thermal labels are fine except for labels which have to survive a long time, or if they are likely to be exposed to direct sunlight or high temperatures. The printed image can and will fade over time or under these circumstances.

Thermal transfer is a less expensive base stock but a ribbon is required for printing. Thermal transfer labels are tougher, last longer and are not sensitive to light or heat.

We make (literally) hundreds of millions of thermal labels every year, most of them blank. We have two dedicated blank thermal label converting presses, one with an with in-line rewinder which cranks all day every day. And we annually manufacture about 45 million direct thermal pharmacy labels (for pill bottles) on another dedicated press with a rewinder.

We think we know a bit about thermal labels.