Tips

See Tips 2 section for more details.

When specifying a label width, stating the width of the carrier or liner helps to clarify label dimensions.
- Orientation of printing is not a factor when quoting or printing a label.
- Direct thermal material can be identified by applying heat to the backside – it will turn black if it is direct thermal.
Adhesive specifications always reference 2 temperatures –
Application Temperature – the minimum temperature that a surface will be when the label is applied
- Service Temperature Range – lowest and highest temperatures the label will be exposed to after it is applied
- Special inks should be used if label will be thermal transfer imprinted over the press printed ink.

It is best to avoid press printed ink in areas where a label will be direct thermal imprinted.
Heat resistant ink should be used if label will be direct transfer imprinted in a press printed ink area.
Direct thermal images can be in colors other than black if special materials are used.
Direct thermal should only be used for short term use, the image created is not as fade resistant as thermal transfer or laser imprints.
Thermal Transfer ribbons are available in many colors as well as black.
Most laser papers are not acceptable for ink jet printer use.
It is highly uncommon to find a laser film for use in color laser printers.
Laser labels should be protected in plastic until ready for use
- Up to 24 hours prior to inserting labels into a laser printer, the plastic packaging should be opened in the printer room so labels can acclimate to alleviate printer jams

All-temp, cold temp, freezer and removable adhesives tend to be “soft” so they can flow onto a surface for better adhesion.
- This characteristic increase the possibility of adhesive ooze on the edges of labels.

Pattern adhesive is used to leave an area of no adhesive on the edge of a label to make it easier to grasp the label and remove it from the liner.
- Often used in cold environments (warehouses) where labels are used by people wearing gloves.