Material
Paper Labels
Cost-effective labels for short- to medium-life workflows. Compare DT paper and TT paper grades and typical uses.
Thermal Printer Label Materials
Choosing the right face material affects durability, print performance and expected label life. Explore the most common thermal label materials below — with clear guidance on when each is the best fit.
Core Materials
Material
Polypropylene (PP)
A practical step up from paper. Improved resistance to moisture and handling, available in DT and TT constructions.
Material
Polyester (PET)
High durability for long-life identification and demanding environments. Typically used with thermal transfer printing.
Comparing Common Thermal Label Materials
The table below summarises the main characteristics of the most widely used thermal label materials. Actual performance depends on the adhesive, environment and surface being labelled, but it provides a useful starting point.
| Property | Paper | Polypropylene (PP) | Polyester (PET) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Durability | Low–medium | Medium | High |
| Moisture resistance | Limited | Good | Excellent |
| Chemical resistance | Limited | Moderate | High |
| Typical print method | Direct thermal or thermal transfer | Direct thermal or thermal transfer | Mainly thermal transfer |
| Typical applications | Shipping, logistics, short-life identification | Product labels, warehouse use, improved durability | Asset labels, equipment identification, long-life barcodes |
Not sure which material to choose?
Tell us your printer type, label size, expected label life and what the label needs to withstand (handling, moisture, cleaning or chemicals). We’ll recommend the most suitable construction.
Specialist Materials
We also supply specialist constructions including high-tack, cryogenic and other performance-driven requirements. These pages can be added as the materials hub expands.