Blank Paper Labels

Thermal direct labels are made from special heat-sensitive paper. When you print, the printer’s printhead heats up and touches the label, turning the coating black wherever it’s hot. This creates your text, barcode, or image—no ink, toner, or ribbon needed. It’s a simple, clean process that’s easy to manage, especially in busy workplaces. You just load the roll of blank labels, send your print job, and the printer does the rest. Because there’s no ink or ribbon to replace, maintenance is minimal, and costs are kept down.

Thermal direct labels are ideal for shipping labels, courier and address labels, retail price tags, receipts, and temporary product or shelf labels. They’re quick, easy, and cost-effective, making them a favourite for busy dispatch areas and retail counters. For example, if you’re running an online shop and need to print lots of courier labels each day, thermal direct labels are a great choice. They’re also used in supermarkets for printing price tags or in bakeries for printing “use by” dates on fresh goods.

However, thermal direct labels are best for short-term use, as the print can fade over time, especially if exposed to sunlight, heat, or friction. The heat-sensitive coating is what makes them so easy to use, but it also means they’re not suitable for labels that need to last for months or years. If you leave a thermal direct label in the sun or in a hot car, the print can darken or become unreadable. That’s why they’re mostly used for things like shipping, where the label only needs to last a few days or weeks.

Thermal transfer labels use a different method. Instead of heat-sensitive paper, these labels are printed using a ribbon coated with wax, resin, or a mix of both. The printer heats the ribbon, melting the coating onto the label surface. This creates a crisp, durable print that can handle tough conditions. The result is a label that’s much more resistant to fading, moisture, chemicals, and sunlight. Thermal transfer labels are perfect for product labels that need to last, asset tags, outdoor or freezer labels, chemical drum labels, and healthcare samples.

For example, if you’re labelling products that will be stored in a freezer, exposed to the weather, or handled frequently, thermal transfer labels are the way to go. They’re also used for asset tracking in schools, hospitals, and factories, where labels need to stay readable for years. In the food industry, thermal transfer labels are often used for packaging that needs to survive cold storage or transport.

Thermal transfer labels do require a ribbon, which means you’ll need to replace both the labels and the ribbon from time to time. This adds a little to the cost and maintenance, but the extra durability is worth it for many businesses. The ribbons come in different types—wax for everyday use, wax/resin for a bit more durability, and resin for the toughest jobs.

When choosing between the two, consider how long your label needs to last, where it will be used, and your budget. In New Zealand, many businesses use both types—thermal direct for fast, everyday jobs, and thermal transfer for labels that need to go the distance. Most printers can handle both types with a simple ribbon change. This flexibility means you can always get the right label for the job, whether you’re sending parcels, managing inventory, or labelling products for sale.

Thermal direct labels: Best for short-term, indoor use. No ink or ribbon needed. Great for shipping, retail, and temporary labels.

Thermal transfer labels: Best for long-term, outdoor, or harsh environments. Needs a ribbon but offers much greater durability. Ideal for product labels, asset tags, and anything that needs to last.

Both types are widely used across Aotearoa. With the right labels, we’ll keep your business running smoothly and your products looking professional, no matter what you’re labelling.