How long do direct thermal labels last?

Direct thermal labels last 6 to 12 months, and longer when stored properly. Try to keep unused rolls and fanfold stacks sealed in their original packaging, in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Heat, sunlight, friction and some chemicals shorten a printed label's life. If a label has to stay readable longer than that, use thermal transfer labels .

Are Smith Corona labels made in the USA?

Yes. Smith Corona manufactures its labels at its own facility in Cleveland, Ohio. Adhesive is formulated in-house, and label stock is coated and converted on site.

Do you sell direct thermal labels wholesale or in bulk?

Yes. Smith Corona manufactures direct thermal labels and sells them factory-direct by the case, so you pay wholesale pricing with no distributor markup. See why our labels cost less . The minimum order is one case, and every size has volume price breaks.

Can I order a size or color you don't stock?

Yes. Smith Corona can make labels in any width and length, in any of its materials, colors and adhesives, and can match any PMS color. Non-stock orders typically carry a minimum of 15 cases or $1,500 and ship in three to four weeks. For labels that arrive already printed with your logo or text, see custom labels .

What colors do direct thermal labels come in?

Smith Corona makes direct thermal labels in 16 colors: yellow, blue, dark blue, green, chartreuse, orange, red, pink, hot pink, purple, grape, brown and gray, plus fluorescent red, green and orange. Orange, yellow, green and blue are stocked in 4" x 6". Other colors and sizes are made to order, typically with a 15-case or $1,500 minimum and a three to four week lead time. Smith Corona can also PMS color match for a custom order.

What's the difference between top-coated and standard direct thermal labels?

Top-coated direct thermal labels have a protective layer over the heat-sensitive coating; standard labels have a plain matte face. Standard stock costs less and suits shipping labels and barcodes that are scanned and discarded within weeks. Top-coated stock resists scratches and scuffs, and adds some resistance to moisture and oils.

Are direct thermal labels waterproof?

Paper direct thermal labels are not waterproof, but polypropylene direct thermal labels are water-resistant. Polypropylene is a synthetic film that resists water and chemicals, so it holds up to condensation, cold rooms and wet handling. Water-resistant is not the same as weatherproof, though. Sunlight and heat still fade a direct thermal image. For labels that live outdoors or must last years, use polypropylene thermal transfer labels with a wax/resin ribbon.

Are Smith Corona thermal labels BPA-free and phenol-free?

Yes. Smith Corona direct thermal and thermal transfer labels are made on phenol-free facestock, so they contain no BPA, BPS or other phenol developers. Many thermal papers use BPA or BPS in their heat-sensitive coating.

Can direct thermal labels be used in a freezer?

Yes, with Freezer Grade adhesive. Freezer Grade is rated from -40°F to 32°F. General Purpose adhesive is rated only down to 32°F.

What printers work with direct thermal labels?

Smith Corona direct thermal labels run in Zebra, Datamax, Sato, Honeywell, Intermec, TSC, Citizen and Bixolon printers, from mobile units to industrial print engines. Fit comes down to core size, roll OD and maximum print width rather than brand, so check your model on Smith Corona's shop-by-printer pages before ordering. On high-volume industrial printers, 3" core rolls at 8" roll OD, or 12" XL rolls, mean fewer roll changes per shift.

How do I tell whether my printer is thermal transfer or direct thermal?

Open the printer and look for a ribbon carriage — two spindles that hold a supply roll and a take-up roll. If they are present, the printer supports thermal transfer. If there is only a path for the label roll, it is direct thermal only. You can also test the labels themselves: drag a coin edge or fingernail firmly across the label face. Direct thermal stock darkens where the friction generates heat. Thermal transfer stock does not mark.

Can I use thermal transfer labels in a direct thermal printer?

No. Thermal transfer labels have no heat-sensitive coating, so a direct thermal printer will run them through and produce a blank label. Thermal transfer labels require a printer with a ribbon carriage.

Why are my direct thermal labels fading or turning black?

Heat turns direct thermal labels black, and light, friction and chemicals make them fade. The coating that darkens under the printhead keeps reacting after printing. Common causes are cartons left near heaters or in hot trailers, labels in direct sun, and labels covered with certain acrylic-based sealing tapes, which speed up fading. Top-coated stock holds up better to scuffing.

What is the minimum order quantity?

The minimum order for stock direct thermal labels is one case. Made-to-order sizes and colors typically carry a minimum of 15 cases or $1,500.

How quickly do orders ship?

Stock direct thermal label orders placed by 4:00 PM EST ship the same business day from Smith Corona's Cleveland, Ohio facility. Custom and made-to-order sizes ship in three to four weeks.

Do you offer free shipping?

No. Smith Corona does not offer free shipping on labels or ribbons; shipping is calculated at checkout. See the Smith Corona shipping policy .

Do you ship LTL or freight?

Yes. Larger orders ship LTL freight, which is usually cheaper per case than UPS or FedEx Ground and arrives palletized and shrink-wrapped. As a rule of thumb, orders over 15 cases qualify. Shipping options, including LTL, are shown at checkout. If you're not sure your order qualifies, use the Estimate Shipping button on the product page or in your cart.

Can I ship on my own carrier account?

Yes. Provide your UPS or FedEx account number, or a customer-provided BOL for LTL-sized orders.

Yes. Email support@smithcorona.com and Smith Corona will send you a copy of its W9.

How do I submit a sales tax exemption?

Please create an account and email your certificate to Smith Corona before you place your first order. Smith Corona will confirm that everything is all set and that you are clear to proceed.

What payment methods and terms do you offer?

Smith Corona accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover and PayPal. Net 30 terms are available to creditworthy businesses: create an account, then email a purchase order to po@smithcorona.com with your billing address, shipping address and accounts payable contact. Once approved, you can enter a PO number at checkout instead of a card. See Net 30 terms .

Direct Thermal Labels

930 Reviews

Direct thermal labels are ribbon-free labels with a heat-sensitive face that darkens under a thermal printhead. Shippers, warehouses, manufacturers and retailers use them to print shipping labels and barcodes. Smith Corona makes these labels and sells them factory-direct at wholesale prices. Choose rolls on 0.75", 1" or 3" cores, or fanfold stacks, in 19 materials and colors.

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1.5 inch x 1 inch White - Direct Thermal Labels - 3 inch Core

1.5" x 1"

(1 Review )

Core: 3" Outer Diameter: 8" Labels Per Roll: 5,400 / 5,440 Perforated: Yes Material / Color Options: 19

+14

Specification	Details
Sizes	1.5" to 6" wide, 1" to 13" long in stock, plus 4" continuous; any width and length made to order
Stock SKUs	More than 90
Materials	White paper, top-coated paper, polypropylene; all phenol-free (no BPA or BPS)
Colors	16: yellow, blue, dark blue, green, chartreuse, orange, red, pink, hot pink, purple, grape, brown, gray, plus fluorescent red, green and orange. Orange, yellow, green and blue stocked in 4" x 6". Any PMS color matched to order
Adhesives	General Purpose (32°F to 120°F), Freezer Grade (-40°F to 32°F), Removable (32°F to 120°F), Acrylic (10°F to 120°F)
Cores	0.75", 1", 3"; fanfold in 12 sizes
Roll OD	2.2" and 2.6" (mobile), 4" and 5" (desktop), 8" and 12" (industrial)
Ribbon	None required
Shelf life	6 to 12 months, longer when stored properly
Minimum order	1 case stock; 15 cases or $1,500 made to order
Lead time	Same day on stock (4PM EST cutoff); 3–4 weeks made to order
Printer compatibility	Zebra, Datamax, Sato, Honeywell, Intermec, TSC, Citizen, Bixolon

Direct Thermal Labels

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