Label Planet
We recently launched a range of thermal labels; here's a guide to how thermal printers work.
Please note that this range has now been discontinued and we no longer supply any labels on rolls.
The Thermal Process
Thermal or direct thermal printing uses a thermal printhead to create an image on heat sensitive paper. The printhead contains heating elements (usually pins) arranged in a matrix; during the printing process these pins are selectively heated as they drag over the thermal paper. Where a heated pin is in contact with the heat sensitive paper, the paper changes colour. The thermal paper has a coating containing a dye, which determines the colour that forms during the printing process; most thermal papers will turn black when exposed to heat, although other colours (such as red and blue) are also available.
Label Planet’s Thermal Labels
Our labels all measure 102mm (or 4 inches) for one length and either 51mm (2 inches), 76mm (3 inches), 102mm (4 inches), 125mm (5 inches), or 152mm (6 inches) for the second length.
The rolls have an I.D. (inner diameter or core size) of 25mm (1 inch), 38mm (1.5 inches), or 76mm (3 inches) and an O.D. (outer diameter) of 127mm (5 inches) or 203.2mm (8 inches).
This means that they are compatible with a wide range of thermal (and thermal transfer) printers (you can check our Printer Compatibility Chart to see if your printer is compatible).