Summer Care Guide for Thermal Labels

As summer arrives with rising temperatures and humidity, thermal adhesive labels are at greater risk of performance issues. Commonly utilized in logistics, retail, and healthcare applications, these labels may face challenges such as premature fading, adhesive bleeding, and edge lifting in high-temperature conditions. This technical bulletin provides essential handling tips to ensure optimal label performance during summer operations.

I. Material Selection
Thermal label performance directly correlates with heat resistance. For summer use, prioritize:

1. Standard Thermal Paper：For room temperature only. Prone to discoloration under high-heat.
2. High-Temp Thermal Paper: Withstands 50℃+ in short time. Ideal for warehousing/transport.
3. Thermal Film (Synthetic Paper): Waterproof & heat-resistant for outdoor/humid environments

II. Storage Conditions
High temperatures and humidity can damage thermal labels, and improper storage may lead to label failures.
 

1. Avoid Sun Exposure: UV rays can accelerate the degradation of the thermal coating, resulting in reduced printing performance.
2. Control the Storage Environment: High temperature can cause premature change in the thermal coating, affecting thermal printing result. Excess heat may also melt the adhesive, causing adhesive oozing and leaving negative impact to label dispensing or adhesion. We recommend to store labels at temperatures below 25C/60% RH, away from heat sources (such as electrical appliances).
3. Keep Labels Dry and Ventilated: High humidity may cause the label face stock and liner to absorb moisture, affecting the flatness and leading to label jams during printing.
    

III. Optimize Printing Settings
High temperatures may affect the printing result High temperatures can impact the print quality. To improve results, consider the following recommendations:

1. Adjust Printing Density: Appropriately increase the printing density to avoid faint prints and ensure readability.
2. Regularly Clean the Printing Area: High temperatures easily cause adhesive bleeding, which may accumulate in the printing area and lead to label jams.
    

IV. Application Best Practices
In high-temperature environments, the adhesion of labels may be affected, leading to issues such as lifting at the edges or complete peeling off from the substrate.
 

1. Surface Preparation: Ensure that the substrate is properly cleaned to remove any dust or oil contaminants before applying the labels.
2. Firm Pressure: After application, press the labels firmly for a few seconds to ensure that the adhesive adheres fully to the substrate.
    

V. Protection During Transportation
During summer logistics transportation, the temperature inside the carriage can become extremely high, necessitating special precautions.

1. Avoid Sun Exposure: After packaging and labeling, minimize prolonged exposure to sunlight. Utilize sunshades whenever possible during transportation.
2. Limit Duration of High Heat Exposure: Extended exposure to high temperatures may damage the labels. Whenever feasible, opt for express logistics services.
3. Use Moisture-Proof Packaging: Protect the packaging with plastic bags or moisture-proof boxes to prevent humidity from affecting the flatness and adhesive performance of the labels.
    

VI. Regularly Inspect Label Condition: Increase label inspections during summer for important or long-term stored goods to ensure clarity and secure bonding.
 

Hot and humid summer conditions can create significant challenges for thermal adhesive labels. However, by choosing the right materials, optimizing your storage practices, and adjusting your printing methods, you can effectively prevent performance issues with your thermal labels.