Thermal Label Knowledge Hub
Comprehensive technical articles written by our UK label specialists to help you select, store, and print thermal labels accurately.
What Are Thermal Labels? Complete UK Guide
Learn how direct thermal labels work, why they do not require ink cartridges or ribbons, and how to choose the right rolls for your business printer.
Direct thermal labels are heat-sensitive paper rolls that print crisp black text and barcodes directly when exposed to the heat element of a thermal printer head. No ink, toner, or ribbon is required.
Do Thermal Labels Need Ink? Myths vs Facts
A definitive guide answering whether thermal printers use ink, toner, or ribbons, and how heat creates permanent barcode prints.
No. Direct thermal labels do NOT need ink or toner. The printing process is 100% inkless, relying exclusively on heat emitted by the thermal printer head onto heat-sensitive paper.
4x6 Inch vs 100x150mm Shipping Labels Explained
Are 4x6 inch and 100x150mm labels the exact same size? Clarifying UK metric and imperial courier label specifications.
Yes! 4 x 6 inches equals 101.6 x 152.4mm. In the UK courier and thermal printer industry, '4x6 inch' and '100x150mm' are used interchangeably for the standard shipping parcel label.