Types of Thermal Labels in Our Range

Thermal label production is primarily divided into two materials: Thermal ECO Paper or Thermal TOP Paper with insulating coating. This specific medium has a thermo-reactive layer — the image and text are created on the label through heat from the printer head.

Thermal Labels ECO (Uncoated)

Thermal ECO paper is the most economical and widely used label type. Used primarily for short-lived information that doesn't require resistance to harsh environmental conditions.

  • Standard for logistics and courier labels (100x150mm)
  • Short information lifecycle: from generation to delivery
  • No ribbon/carbon required for printing
  • Budget-friendly, recommended for all dry warehouses

Note: prolonged UV exposure darkens the label, and scratches create grey marks on the surface.

Thermal Labels TOP (Double-coated)

Material with external and optional bottom barrier coating. It protects the print against physical damage (smudging) and environmental contaminants (moisture, grease, mild solvents).

  • Suited for demanding food industry environments (cold storage)
  • Mechanically resistant — coating prevents darkening from friction
  • Extended aging resistance (several years in dark storage)
  • High-contrast print valued in modern retail chains for premium products

Excellent for deep-frozen products, meat products, or marking bulk cartons palletized in outdoor cold conditions.

Comparison Table: Thermal ECO vs Thermal TOP

Property Thermal ECO Paper Thermal TOP Paper
Target Application Couriers, short transport to home Food barcodes, pharmaceuticals, mass pricing
Smudge Resistance (Scratch) Low (dark scratches appear from fingernail friction) High (front-side protective coating)
Moisture / Grease Resistance None High, thanks to bottom barrier coating
Unit Price Most budget-friendly option Standard product range (approx. 30-45% higher)

Compatible with Leading Desktop Printers (e.g. Zebra)

Our thermal labels are compatible with printers from all major brands: Zebra, Citizen, Bixolon, GoDEX, TSC and Sato. When requesting a quote, please specify your device model, as the correct roll winding length is crucial (typically 1000-3000 labels per core, to fit snugly in your printer's feeder).

Thermal Labels for Zebra Printers — Full Compatibility

Zebra thermal labels are the most searched item in our catalog. We produce labels for Zebra printers in any size — from small price tags to large logistics labels. Every roll is wound on a cardboard core matched to your specific printer model.

Zebra Printer Model Core Diameter Popular Label Sizes
Zebra GK420d / GK420t25mm100x150, 100x60, 58x40mm
Zebra ZD220 / ZD23025mm100x150, 76x51, 50x25mm
Zebra ZD421 / ZD62125mm100x150, 102x76, 57x32mm
Zebra ZT411 / ZT421 (industrial)76mm100x150, 100x100, custom

Not sure which labels fit your Zebra printer? Contact us — we'll recommend the right size and material type.

Thermal Label FAQ

ECO labels are made from uncoated paper, recommended for short-lived applications (e.g. courier labels). TOP paper has a special protective coating on front and back that extends print readability, protecting against scratches, moisture and grease (cold storage, food products).

No, thermal printing uses direct heat from the printer head to activate the thermo-reactive surface (direct thermal method). If you need labels with print lasting years, you'll need thermal transfer labels requiring printing ribbons.

We wind labels on cardboard cores matched to your machine (standard desktop is usually 25mm or 40mm; for industrial high-volume it's 76mm). Compatible with printers from Zebra GK420, ZD220, Bixolon SRP-E770 and all commonly used models.

Need a custom size?

As a manufacturer, we can produce any label size to order.

Get in touch

See also

Courier Labels → Foil Labels PP/PE → Food Industry Labels →