Thermal Transfer Labels

Smith Corona stocks thermal transfer labels from 1.5" to 6" wide and 1" to 13" long, across more than 100 stock SKUs in both roll and fanfold formats. The most common size is 4" x 6". Non-stock sizes are made to order in any width and length.

Thermal transfer labels are supplied on 1" and 3" cores, and in fanfold format. Roll outer diameters are 4", 5", 8", and 12". Desktop printers generally take 1" core rolls at 4" or 5" outer diameter, or fanfold. Industrial printers take 3" core rolls at 8", and print-and-apply equipment typically uses 12" outer diameter rolls.

The core is the tube the labels are wound on, and it has to match the printer's spindle. 1" cores are used by desktop thermal transfer printers, which have limited internal space and take rolls at 4" or 5" outer diameter. 3" cores are used by industrial printers and print-and-apply equipment, which accept 8" and 12" outer diameter rolls.

Perforated labels have small cuts in the liner between each label so they tear apart by hand. They are the right choice when labels are applied manually. Non-perforated labels have a continuous liner, which prevents tearing and jamming when labels are fed through an automatic applicator. Choose non-perforated for print-and-apply and peel and present applications.

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.

Smith Corona offers thermal transfer labels with four adhesives: General Purpose, Freezer Grade, Removable, and Acrylic.

General Purpose is the standard permanent adhesive for cartons, cases, and warehouse labeling, and the lowest-cost option. Smith Corona manufactures its General Purpose and Freezer Grade hot melt adhesives in-house in Cleveland.

For most carton, case, and warehouse labeling, General Purpose is the right choice. It covers 32°F to 120°F, which handles nearly every indoor shipping and storage environment, and it costs the least of the four.

Choose Freezer Grade when labels go on frozen product or into cold storage. It is rated from -40°F to 32°F, the coldest range Smith Corona offers.

Choose Acrylic when the box is the problem rather than the temperature. Waxy or coated corrugated resists most adhesives; acrylic bonds to it, and it holds from 10°F to 120°F.

Choose Removable only when the label has to come off. It covers the same 32°F to 120°F range as General Purpose but is designed to peel away with minimal residue.

Smith Corona manufactures thermal transfer labels in 16 colors: yellow, blue, dark blue, green, chartreuse, orange, red, pink, hot pink, purple, grape, brown, and gray, plus fluorescent red, fluorescent green, and fluorescent orange. Any PMS color can be matched. Colored stock is made to order rather than warehoused, typically with a 15-case or $1,500 minimum and a three to four week lead time. Blockout stock, an opaque construction used to cover existing printing when relabeling, is also available.

A blockout label is an opaque label used to cover existing printing. Smith Corona's blockout construction is flood coated in black on the adhesive side, so nothing underneath shows through — a barcode, address block, or old label is fully obscured rather than faintly visible. Standard white labels are translucent enough that underlying print often ghosts through, which causes scanning errors when a carton is relabeled. Blockout is used for relabeling and rerouting cartons, correcting mislabeled cases, returns and reverse logistics, and covering prior branding on reused packaging.

Thermal transfer labels made on polypropylene resist water, oils, and many chemicals, and hold up to outdoor and washdown conditions. Paper thermal transfer labels are not water resistant. Because thermal transfer printing bonds pigment to the label surface rather than reacting with a heat-sensitive coating, the printed image also resists smearing and abrasion better than direct thermal.

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.

Smith Corona thermal transfer labels are compatible with Zebra, Sato, Datamax, Honeywell, Intermec, TSC, Citizen, and Bixolon thermal transfer printers. Any printer with a ribbon carriage will run them. Note that not every desktop printer supports thermal transfer — smaller units often have no room for a ribbon.

Start with width: the ribbon should be slightly wider than the label. Next determine wind direction — Zebra and Intermec printers generally use coated side out, while Datamax and Sato use coated side in. Finally match ribbon chemistry to the facestock: wax for paper labels and wax/resin for polypropylene and for paper labels that need extra scuff and smear resistance.

Wax ribbons contain mostly wax-based pigment, print at lower temperatures, and are the lowest-cost option. They pair with paper labels and suit indoor applications where the label is not scuffed or exposed to solvents. Wax/resin ribbons blend wax with resin, which bonds to synthetic facestock and resists smearing, scratching, and moisture better than wax; they are the right pairing for polypropylene labels and for paper labels that get handled. Full resin ribbons are the most durable of the three, used for polyester and other specialty films in harsh chemical or high-heat environments.

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.

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.

The most common causes, in order of likelihood: print darkness set too low, a ribbon and facestock mismatch, printhead pressure set too low or unevenly, a dirty printhead, or print speed set too high for the ribbon.

Store thermal transfer labels in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight.

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

Stock thermal transfer 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.