What is the difference between thermal label paper and carbon label paper?

Thermal label paper and carbon tape label paper have significant differences in many aspects, these differences are mainly reflected in the printing principle, material composition, printing effect, durability, cost and application scenarios.

First, the printing principle

Heat-sensitive label paper: The content is printed on the label by heating it. The surface of the thermal paper is coated with a thermal color layer, and when it encounters the heated print head, the chemicals in the hair color layer will chemically react to reveal the text and images. (Source: Reference Article 2)

Carbon tape label paper: The use of thermal transfer technology, that is, the use of carbon tape to print the content on the label. The carbon strip, through the high temperature action of the thermal transfer printhead, transfers the ink coating to the label paper to form the desired pattern and text. (Source: Reference Article 3, 4)

Second, material composition

Heat-sensitive label paper: composed of the upper sticker layer and the bottom paper layer, there is no carbon belt layer. The chromophores are mainly composed of gum, chromophores and non-chromatic dyes. (Source: Reference Article 2, 4)

Carbon tape label paper: consists of an upper sticker layer, a bottom paper layer and a carbon tape layer in the middle. The carbon strip layer is composed of toner and resin, which is a key part of achieving thermal transfer printing. (Source: Reference Article 4)

Third, printing effect and durability

Thermal label paper: printing speed is fast, handwriting is clear, but the waterproof performance is poor, easy to be affected by wet environment, and scratch resistance is not as good as carbon tape label paper. In addition, the color reaction of heat-sensitive label paper is irreversible, and long-term exposure to sunlight or high temperature environments will accelerate fading. (Source: Refer to Articles 1, 2, 5)

Carbon tape label paper: the printed pattern and text are more clear, durable, and not easy to fade. Due to the use of carbon tape printing, its waterproof, oil proof, high and low temperature resistance are better than thermal label paper, suitable for long-term storage. (Source: Refer to Articles 1, 4)

Fourth,Cost

Thermal label paper: The cost is relatively low, because there is no need to use additional consumables such as carbon strips, and thermal printers are usually more affordable. (Source: Refer to Articles 1, 7)

Carbon tape label paper: The cost is relatively high, because consumables such as carbon tape need to be replaced regularly, and the price of carbon tape printers can also be higher than that of thermal printers. (Source: Refer to Articles 1, 7)

Fifth,Application Scenarios

Thermal label paper: It is suitable for scenarios that require low printing effect, fast printing and short label storage time, such as supermarket electronic scale labels and logistics express labels. (Source: Reference Article 2, 7)

Carbon tape label paper: applicable to scenarios that require high printing effect and require long-term label storage, such as device identification and asset management in the power, telecommunications, medical, and manufacturing industries. (Source: Refer to articles 6, 7)

In summary, there are obvious differences between thermal label paper and carbon tape label paper in terms of printing principle, material composition, printing effect and durability, cost and application scenarios. In the selection, should be based on the actual needs and environmental conditions for comprehensive consideration.