Direct Thermal labels are often used with thermal printers. One advantage is that the labels do not use ribbon for printing. The label material is treated so the printhead can burn the image directly on to the label.
The printing on direct thermal labels does not last as long as those printed with ribbon on thermal transfer labels. They can be damaged and turn black by heat or sunlight and fade with age. The text or barcodes may become unreadable. For these reasons, the labels are not used for long life applications.
Direct Thermal labels are used by most mobile printers. Common uses are shipping labels, restaurant and grocery store receipts, and ticket printing.
Thermal Transfer Labels for printing with ribbon.
Zebra thermal printers – both thermal transfer (with ribbon) and direct thermal (no ribbon) printers.
