Tamper evident labels
Tamper Evident Direct Thermal Labels
Direct thermal tamper evident labels are supplied print ready for on demand, variable data printing, with irreversible tamper evidence built into the label construction.
Made from filmic or paper in permanent and no transfer constructions, delivered on 76mm or 25mm internal diameter cores and ready to print without ribbons.
Tamper behaviour
What happens when the label is interfered with
Tamper evidence is engineered into the construction rather than the print. Whatever data you print, any attempt to lift, peel or alter the applied label reveals a clear message. Choose a no transfer construction for residue free removal, or a permanent construction for total transfer evidence.
01
Print on demand
Print variable data directly on your own direct thermal printer, with no ribbon or consumable to manage.
02
Interference
Removal or alteration of the applied label separates the layers of the construction.
03
Visible evidence
An irreversible tamper message appears and the seal cannot be reused or reapplied unnoticed.
▶VideoTamper evident direct thermal labels
Shows a printed paper tamper evident label and the message revealed when the label is lifted from the pack.
Watch on YouTube ↗Why print ready
Why choose direct thermal tamper evident labels
Straightforward on demand print
Ideal for variable data runs and for distributors supplying customers with print ready stock.
Both tamper constructions
No transfer or permanent, chosen to suit the surface and the security requirement.
No ribbon required
Direct thermal printing removes ribbon cost and change overs from the process.
Custom roll lengths and cores
Roll length and core diameter matched to your printer for fewer interruptions.
Fully customisable
Colours, base material, void message, security cuts, numbering and UV ready inks.
Simple integration
Works with existing printers and packing processes, by hand or on line.
How the print works
Direct thermal printing explained
Direct thermal printing uses a heat sensitive label face. The printhead applies heat directly to the material, which darkens to form the image, so no ribbon is used.
01
Heat sensitive face
The label face is coated so that it reacts to heat from the printhead.
02
Direct imaging
Heat forms the barcode, text or data straight onto the label, with no consumable ribbon.
03
Immediate use
The printed seal is applied straight away, ideal for short life, high turnover labelling.
Direct thermal suits fast, low cost, on demand printing. Where labels face prolonged heat, sunlight, abrasion or chemicals, specify thermal transfer labels instead.
Two decisions, not one
Print method, tamper construction and format
If you print variable data yourself, take it in this order: choose the print method, then choose what the label should leave behind, then confirm the roll and printer format. They are independent decisions.
Decision 1
Direct thermal or thermal transfer
Direct thermal needs no ribbon: the image is formed in a heat-sensitive coating on the label face itself. Thermal transfer prints through an ink ribbon onto compatible stock. Because a direct thermal image lives in that coating, the same heat, sunlight and abrasion the coating reacts to can also degrade what has already been printed. Where the data has to stay readable after long storage or rough handling, thermal transfer is the safer route; where labels are printed close to use and read quickly, direct thermal is the simpler one.
Decision 2
Then the tamper construction, separately
Direct thermal is a printing method. It does not decide what the label leaves behind. Direct thermal stock is supplied in permanent construction, where the security message transfers to the pack, and in no-transfer construction, which lifts clean, with a filmic or paper face. Any other construction is confirmed with us per order line rather than assumed to be available as direct thermal.
Decision 3
What we confirm before supply
Most print-on-demand problems turn out to be format problems. These are the details to confirm with us against your own printer and line rather than assume from a datasheet:
- Printer make and model
- Label width and length, and the print area the data has to fit
- Roll direction and wind
- Core and roll format for your printer or applicator
- The surface being sealed, and the conditions the pack travels through
Decision 4
Variable data you print yourself
The stock is supplied blank and print ready, so serial numbers, barcodes, QR codes and batch or reference data are printed on your own direct thermal printer as you need them. That is a different decision from data applied by us at manufacture, which is the right route when a number or code has to stay readable for longer than the thermal image — the specification routes further down this page cover that.
Not sure whether direct thermal will hold the data long enough, or which construction the pack needs? Send us the pack → and we will specify the print method, the construction and the format together.
Construction and specification
Specification, formats and customisation
Materials and construction
| Face materials | Filmic or paper, heat sensitive, specified to the surface and printer. |
|---|---|
| Tamper constructions | No transfer for residue free removal, or permanent for total transfer evidence. |
| Print method | Direct thermal, no ribbon required. |
| Cores | 76mm or 25mm internal diameter, supplied print ready. |
| Surfaces | Plastic, glass, metal, cardboard and packaging films. Textured surfaces are tested first. |
Customisable options
Environment and durability
| Best suited to | Short to medium life labelling in ambient conditions, printed close to use. |
|---|---|
| Cold chain | Freezer grade constructions are available for cold chain applications. |
| Not recommended | Prolonged direct heat, sunlight or heavy abrasion, where thermal transfer print performs better. |
Specification routes
Print-ready specification routes
Direct thermal has no ribbon, so anything that must survive longer than the printed image has to be built into the label at manufacture. These are the routes that do that.
Red permanent label with a white overprint panel — 70mm x 30mm
Red permanent / 70mm x 30mm / full transfer / white panel for overprinting
Custom VOID message wording
Set at manufacture / wording you specify / not dependent on the thermal image
Factory-applied sequential numbering
Pre-printed number ranges / survives thermal fade / no line-side print step
Pre-printed surface barcodes and QR codes
Applied at manufacture / use where a faded thermal code would fail a scan
Dual number tab for two-part records
Matching number on label and peel-off tab / one number stays with the paperwork
Direct thermal images fade with heat, light and abrasion. If anything on the label has to stay readable for the life of the pack, send us the pack and we will specify what should be pre-printed instead.
Applications
Where direct thermal labels are used
Logistics and dispatch
Consignment and carton seals printed at dispatch with barcodes and reference numbers for reconciliation.
E-commerce and returns
Order and returns seals printed as orders are packed, giving clear evidence of interference in transit.
Food and delivery packs
Bags, containers and delivery boxes sealed with printed date, order or driver data.
Pharmacy and controlled drugs
Batch, patient or kit references printed on demand on tamper evident seals.
Distribution and resale
Print ready stock supplied to distributors so their customers can run small, ad hoc print jobs.
Item collection and lockers
Sealed collection bags with printed order numbers for click and collect handover.
Application and integration
Printing and applying on your line
Printer compatibility
Standard direct thermal printers, no ribbon or specialist equipment required.
Roll and core
Label size, labels per roll and core diameter matched to your printer and applicator.
Hand or automatic
Applied by hand at pack and dispatch, or fed into semi and fully automatic applicators.
Send us your printer model, roll requirement and the surface and we will confirm the construction and format.
Questions
Direct thermal tamper evident label FAQs
What are direct thermal tamper evident labels?
Print ready labels with a heat sensitive face, so your own direct thermal printer produces variable data without a ribbon, while the construction still reveals clear tamper evidence.
What is the difference from thermal transfer?
Direct thermal prints without a ribbon and suits short to medium life labelling. Thermal transfer uses a wax or resin ribbon and gives more durable print for harsh environments.
Can I choose permanent or no transfer?
Yes. Both tamper constructions are available so you can leave the surface clean or leave a permanent transferred message.
Which core sizes are available?
76mm and 25mm internal diameter cores, with roll lengths specified to suit your printer and workflow.
Can these be used with automatic applicators?
Yes. Our labels are compatible with manual, semi automatic and fully automatic workflows.
Are they suitable for cold chain?
Standard constructions are for ambient supply chain conditions. Freezer grade constructions are available for cold chain applications.
Next step
Specify your direct thermal label
Need samples or a quotation?
Tell us the printer, the roll requirement and the surface and we will send samples and a quotation.
Not sure this will work on your pack?
Put it through the Security Lab. Send us the pack and the problem and our technical team will specify the solution with you.