Thermal printers are essential tools in many industries—from manufacturing and warehousing to healthcare and retail. But did you know that using the wrong labels or ribbons in your thermal printer can lead to poor print quality, frequent jams, and even costly equipment damage?

 

At BBCS, we work with businesses every day to help them choose the right thermal media for their needs. Whether you’re printing shipping labels, product barcodes, or asset tags, selecting the right supplies is key to keeping your operation running smoothly.

 

Direct Thermal vs. Thermal Transfer: What’s the Difference?

Before you choose your labels, you need to know what kind of printer you have and what media it uses:

Direct Thermal Labels

  • Don’t require a ribbon—heat from the printhead activates the label coating to create the image.
  • Ideal for short-term labeling (shipping, receipts, name tags).
  • Susceptible to fading over time or exposure to heat and light.

 

Thermal Transfer Labels

  • Use a ribbon (wax, resin, or wax/resin blend) to transfer ink to the label surface.
  • Excellent for long-term durability, UV resistance, and harsh environments.
  • Perfect for inventory, asset tagging, outdoor use, or labels that need to last.

 

Label Material Matters

There’s more to a label than just size. The material impacts durability, print quality, and adhesive strength.

  • Material Best For Paper
  • Labels General use, shipping, retail
  • Polypropylene (BOPP)Water-resistant, chemical exposure
  • Polyester (PET)Industrial use, outdoor durability
  • Synthetic Labels
  • Abrasion/tear resistance, rugged use
  • Choosing the Right Adhesive Permanent Adhesive – Sticks to most surfaces and is ideal for long-term labeling.
  • Removable Adhesive – Allows the label to be peeled off without leaving residue.
  • Freezer-Grade Adhesive – Designed for cold storage environments.
  • High-Tack Adhesive – For rough, textured, or low-surface energy surfaces like drums or plastic totes.
  • Ribbon Types for Thermal Transfer Printing
  • If you’re using thermal transfer labels, selecting the correct ribbon type matters too:
  • Ribbon Type Ideal For Wax
  • Paper labels, low-cost, general-purpose
  • Wax/ResinDurable prints, moderate resistanceResinSynthetic labels, extreme durability needs

 

Let BBCS Help You Find the Right Fit

Still unsure what’s best for your application? That’s where we come in. At BBCS, we work with manufacturers, warehouse teams, IT departments, and logistics teams every day to match the right media to the job—so you get better print performance and fewer headaches. We offer:

  • Custom label sizing and material options
  • Competitive pricing on thermal media and ribbons
  • Expert advice from a team that understands your equipment and environment

 

Need Samples or a Quote?

Contact us today—we’ll help you choose the right labels or ribbons for your printers, and even provide product samples to test before you commit.

Stay tuned for more helpful tips from the BBCS Tech & Tips blog!