Colour-Washed Thermal Labels for Clear Visual Identification

Paper and Synthetic Face Materials

Colour-washed thermal labels can be manufactured on a range of face materials, allowing the colour coding to be matched to the durability, handling and environmental demands of your application. The choice of material plays a key role in print quality, barcode readability and overall label lifespan.

Paper face materials are the most economical option and are widely used for shipping, logistics and general identification. When colour-washed, paper labels provide excellent contrast for barcodes and text while supporting fast, high-volume printing.

Synthetic materials such as polypropylene (PP) or polyester (PET) offer improved resistance to moisture, tearing and abrasion. These are often selected where labels are exposed to handling, condensation or harsher environments, while still benefiting from clear colour coding.

We select background tints and material combinations carefully to support scanner compatibility and reliable thermal printing, whether the labels are produced for direct thermal or thermal transfer use.

Unsure which face material is best for your environment or printer? We’re happy to help.

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Choosing the Right Adhesive for Colour-Washed Labels

The adhesive is just as important as the face material when specifying colour-washed thermal labels. A well-chosen adhesive ensures the label stays securely in place throughout its intended life — without lifting, edge curl or residue — while still supporting the visual clarity that colour coding provides.

We pair colour-washed face stocks with a range of pressure-sensitive adhesives to suit different surfaces, environments and handling conditions.

Common adhesive options include:

• Permanent adhesives — High initial tack and long-term bond for cardboard cartons, paper packaging and many plastics. A reliable choice for logistics, manufacturing and stock identification.
• Removable adhesives — Designed to peel away cleanly without residue, ideal for tote bins, reusable containers, short-term status labels or process tracking.
• Freezer-grade adhesives — Formulated to perform at low temperatures and on cold or damp surfaces, commonly used in chilled and frozen storage environments.
• Specialist adhesives — Options for low-surface-energy plastics, rough or textured substrates, and other challenging applications where standard adhesives may struggle.

When colour coding is part of a workflow — such as route identification, batch separation or process control — reliable adhesion is critical. We take surface type, temperature, dwell time and handling into account to ensure the adhesive performs as expected.

Not sure which adhesive is right for your application? We’re happy to help you specify the correct construction.

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Where Colour-Washed Thermal Labels Work Best

Colour-washed thermal labels are most effective where visual identification plays a role alongside barcode scanning or variable data. By combining clear colour coding with reliable thermal print performance, they support faster decision-making and reduced handling errors across a wide range of industries.

Common application examples include:

• Logistics & Warehousing — Route identification, carrier separation, priority shipments and returns processing. Colour coding allows staff to identify destinations or handling instructions at a glance.
• Manufacturing & Production — Batch control, work-in-progress tracking, status marking and process stages. Different colours can indicate production lines, shift codes or quality states.
• Healthcare & Laboratories — Sample identification, test grouping and workflow separation. Colour-washed labels help reduce mix-ups while maintaining barcode readability and compliance.
• Retail & Distribution — Stock rotation, promotions, returns and internal logistics. Colour coding supports fast recognition without relying solely on printed text.
• Asset & Equipment Labelling — Visual differentiation of equipment types, service intervals or ownership, particularly when paired with durable thermal transfer materials.

In many workflows, colour-washed labels are used alongside standard white labels — reserving colour coding for exceptions, priorities or specific process steps. This keeps systems clear without overwhelming operators.

If you have a specific application in mind, we can help you select the right colour, material and print method to suit your environment and workflow.

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Printer Compatibility & Roll Formats

Colour-washed thermal labels are compatible with the same desktop and industrial thermal printers used for standard white labels. As long as the label construction is matched correctly to the print method, colour washing does not limit printer choice or performance.

We supply colour-washed labels for both direct thermal and thermal transfer printers, and can configure rolls to suit a wide range of machines.

Typical printer compatibility includes:

• Desktop thermal printers — Commonly used in offices, retail, shipping stations and laboratories for short to medium print runs.
• Industrial thermal printers — Designed for higher volumes and continuous operation in warehouses, manufacturing and distribution centres.
• Leading printer brands — Including Zebra, TSC, SATO, Citizen and similar thermal printer manufacturers.

Colour-washed labels can be supplied in a wide range of roll formats, including different core sizes, outside diameters, sensing types and wound orientations. This ensures smooth feeding, accurate sensing and reliable print quality on your specific printer model.

If you’re unsure about printer compatibility, simply tell us your printer make and model. We’ll match the label size, roll specification and print method to ensure everything runs smoothly.

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Colour Selection & Scanner Compatibility

When specifying colour-washed thermal labels, the choice of background colour is about more than appearance. Colour selection plays an important role in maintaining barcode contrast, scanner reliability and overall print performance.

Unlike fully coloured or ink-heavy labels, colour-washed labels use carefully selected tints that allow thermal images to remain crisp and legible. The aim is to support visual identification without compromising machine readability.

Key considerations when choosing colours include:

• Contrast with print — Lighter background colours provide the best contrast for black thermal print, ensuring barcodes and text remain easy to scan.
• Scanner technology — Most modern barcode scanners perform best with high contrast between bars and background. Subtle colour washes preserve this contrast without interfering with scan rates.
• Process clarity — Colour choices are often driven by workflow needs, such as route coding, batch identification or status marking. We help balance visibility with technical performance.
• Consistency — Using consistent colours across sites or processes reduces operator error and supports standardised workflows.

As a general rule, we recommend light, scanner-friendly colours such as pale blues, greens, yellows or pinks. Dark or heavily saturated colours are avoided unless the application is non-scanning or uses alternative identification methods.

If barcode performance is critical, we can advise on colour options that align with your scanners, print settings and label materials — and provide samples for testing where required.

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