Labels are a vital part of logistics. The presence of a label helps to tell people which point shipments originate from and where they are supposed to be going. For other parts of the supply chain, labels also help to identify products and prices for consumers.
The use of thermal technology labels are on the increase. But why are more companies opting for thermal labels – and are you losing out by not joining in?
How Thermal Technology is Changing Label Making
Here’s how thermal technology is rapidly changing label making and why it’s a good thing.
Why Thermal Technology Labels?
Thermal labels are becoming more popular in all parts of the supply chain. These are labels that are printed with heat (and react to it) instead of using ink to do the same job.
Why?
Heat-printed labels are cheaper to produce, able to be printed at a much faster rate – and won’t add the cost or inconvenience of ink. Many types of inks are known to fade fast: When it’s vital to know where cargo has to end up, fading ink is something that nobody can afford.
Portable Label Makers
If you have industrial printing needs that require the mass production of labels in their thousands, thermal label printers are available that do just this (and at a much quicker rate than their ink-printer counterparts). If your needs are smaller instead and you print labels in their tens or hundreds individually, portable thermal label makers are available. They’ve also become a lot cheaper within the past few years.
Far More Lasting Labeling
One of the main disadvantages of regular ink-based labels is the fact that they fade quickly, especially when they are exposed to factors such as friction and water. This is much less true for thermal labeling, which is only affected when held up to a direct heat source such as a flame: Since most types of cargo aren’t going to go through an oven, thermal labels are becoming preferred just because they can keep the information on the label longer
Many companies have also switched over to using heat sensitive receipts. This is better for both company and private record keeping due to the fact that they are much less likely to tarnish or fade over a long-term period.
Labels and Coupons Are Harder to Fake
Thermal technology printing adds the ability to be able to print labels and coupons with differing patterns – some of which can’t be seen by the naked eye. This has made some labels and coupons a lot harder to fake: Manufacturers can add small “touches” to their thermal labels that they were unable to before, and sometimes these elements are specific to an industrial or commercial thermal printer (and thus can’t be duplicated by your run-of-the-mill home printer).
Other Applications in Fast Food
Thermal labeling also has other applications in the food industry where many foods arriving by delivery have to be hot. How do you measure whether food gets to you warm or not? Thermal labeling: When the label stays red, the food is still at its optimal heat for customers, but when the label changes color, you know it’s gone cold.
What can Fortress Nutrition LLC do for you?
Rest assured that you’re in good hands with Fortress Nutrition. To learn more about how we tailor our blending, ingredient sourcing, logistics, consumer packaging, and other services to meet customer needs, and to find out how we can partner with you to ensure compliance with new GMO laws, contact us today.