Material for printing without ribbon
With direct thermal you do not need a print ribbon: the label prints on its own with the heat of the printhead. A fast, low cost-per-label system for high-volume labelling, common in warehouses, logistics operators and short-cycle food companies.
Temperature
Up to +60 °C
Moisture resist.
Low
Printing
Direct thermal
Ribbon
Not required
Standard permanent acrylic for logistics and indoor use; removable for price or promotional labelling; hot-melt for recycled cardboard; a formulation for frozen goods with application from −10 °C and service down to −20 °C on direct thermal PP.
Material variants
Need higher image definition or more durability?
For higher print quality or a service life of 2+ years, coated paper with ribbon or polyester are the right alternatives.
See coated paper labels →Selection criteria
Direct thermal is not always the most suitable option. Its advantage lies in operational simplicity and the ribbon saving. Its limit lies in durability and resistance to external agents.
When to choose it
When not to choose it
Material alternatives
Common applications
Direct thermal handles well any application where the label has a short lifespan and print speed is a factor: logistics, food, retail and healthcare.
Sector
Logistics is the natural home of direct thermal: dispatch labels, delivery notes and barcodes printed the moment they are needed, with no ribbon and at high speed. The label's short lifespan matches the transitory nature of the shipment.
Sector
In retail, restocking speed and cost per label are decisive. Direct thermal lets you print price labels, internal codes and campaign marking at the exact time and quantity needed, with no additional consumables.
Sector
On food packaging and distribution lines the label serves a traceability function: expiry date, batch number and product code. Direct thermal in a format compatible with cold rooms covers most short-cycle needs.
Sector
In healthcare, direct thermal is used for sample identification, patient wristbands and labelling of clinical material with a short lifespan. Printing at the point of care — with no need for ribbon — cuts preparation time and the risk of error.
Technical comparison
| Feature | Direct thermal | Thermal transfer |
|---|---|---|
| Consumable needed | Label only | Label + ribbon |
| Operating cost | Low — ribbon saving | Medium / high |
| Image durability | Limited — sensitive to light and heat | High — resistant |
| Print speed | Very high | High |
| Common application | Logistics / Distribution / Retail | Permanent identification |
Material data sheets
Standard thermal paper covers most logistics applications; protected paper, synthetic PP and special solutions respond to environments with moisture, mechanical demands or specific format requirements.
The reference choice for dispatch labels, tickets and short-duration delivery notes. High thermal sensitivity for fast printing. No protective coating; designed for indoor use with limited exposure.
Image durability
6–9 months indoors
Moisture resist.
Low
Printing
Direct thermal
Format
Rolls / Zig-zag
Incorporates a top layer (Top Coat) that protects the thermal image against moisture, grease and light abrasion. Extends the print's service life and allows use in refrigeration and food distribution environments.
Image durability
Extended
Moisture resist.
Medium-high
Printing
Direct thermal
Format
Rolls / Zig-zag
Synthetic polypropylene substrate with a heat-sensitive layer. Highly tear-resistant and waterproof. Combines the convenience of direct thermal with the durability of a synthetic material suited to industrial environments.
Temperature
-20 °C to +60 °C
Moisture resist.
High
Printing
Direct thermal
Material
Synthetic PP
Special configurations on a direct thermal base: removable adhesives for temporary labelling, high-adhesion adhesives for difficult surfaces, technical-colour face materials and zig-zag format for high-speed industrial printers.
Adhesive
Removable / High adh.
Face colour
White / Technical
Printing
Direct thermal
Format
Roll / Zig-zag
Supply formats
We adapt the format to the printing system and the working environment. The three main formats cover the full range of industrial and desktop applications.
Format 01
Die-cut labels on liner, wound onto a roll. Compatible with industrial and desktop printers. Available with 25, 40 and 76 mm cores and outer diameters up to 200 mm.
Format 02
Roll material with no die-cut, for printers that cut or dispense to size. Ideal for variable-length tickets, delivery notes and product labels with non-standard length.
Format 03
Die-cut or continuous material folded in a zig-zag. Allows loading large volumes without changing the roll, reducing stoppages in high-production systems and automated lines.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most frequent questions before requesting a sample or a quote.
Correct. The substrate already incorporates the chemistry needed to react to the heat of the printhead. This removes the cost and the changeover time of the ribbon, simplifying the printing operation.
Thermal printing produces a black image. If you need to include colour — logo, corporate background or identification stripes — it is possible to combine a pre-printed colour base with the thermal zone for variable data. Ask us which option best suits your volume.
It is the predominant solution in logistics and parcel delivery, retail and point of sale, fresh food and distribution, and any application where the label has a short lifespan and print volume is high.
We work with both small runs and large-volume production. The minimum quantity depends on the format, the material and the printing system. Contact us with the details of your project and we will guide you.
Standard thermal paper can lose adhesion in intense cold due to condensation. For cold chain down to −20 °C we recommend direct thermal PP with permanent acrylic adhesive formulated for cold surfaces. For warehouses at positive temperature, standard paper is usually enough.
They are compatible with any direct thermal printer from the usual brands (Zebra, Honeywell, SATO, Datamax, TSC). The key factor is calibrating the roll format and the material's sensitivity to the thermal profile of each printhead. We will guide you on the configuration according to the printer model you use.
Yes. We stock direct thermal substrates free of BPA, formulated with alternative developers. They are the right choice when regulation or the customer's internal policy requires materials with no bisphenol compounds, as in food, pharmaceuticals or applications in contact with people.
Direct thermal labels are sensitive to heat and grease. The heat from fingers can activate the coating and smudge the image. For environments with frequent handling or heat exposure, protected thermal paper or thermal transfer with ribbon are more suitable.
Yes, as long as the time in use does not exceed the material's durability. For short-term indoor warehouse traceability, direct thermal works well. For long-term or outdoor traceability, thermal transfer with ribbon offers more guarantees of readability.
Common applications
Traceability and barcodes
Direct thermal is the standard substrate for dispatch labels, delivery notes and picking with high turnover. No ribbon, no additional consumables. The guide advises on density, reading and validation.
See traceability labels guide →Cold chain and moisture
Protected thermal substrates keep the image readable in cold rooms and environments with condensation. See the guide for temperature ranges and compatible adhesives.
See cold chain labels →Full catalogue
Polyester, polypropylene, direct thermal, coated paper, security and special solutions. Properties, adhesives and comparison.
See materialsApplications by sector
Automotive, chemicals, food, logistics, electronics and more. Conditions, recommended materials and technical criteria by sector.
Explore sectorsTechnical documentation
Substrate specifications, image durability, approved adhesives and temperature ranges for each direct thermal construction available in the catalogue.
See technical data sheetsContact
Tell us the use, the volume and the end environment. We will guide you to the most suitable substrate and adhesive from the first contact.