Thermal Transfer and Direct Thermal labels are the two categories that plain labels fall into:

Thermal Transfer

Printing by ‘thermal transfer’ works by combining a printer with a thermal head, an ink ribbon and of course the label material. The ink from the ribbon gets transferred onto the label; as it goes under the printhead of the printer.

Thermal Transfer Materials – Uncoated and Coated Paper, Matt and Coated Synthetics – Polyester, Polypropylene, Vinyl, Piggyback Material, Fluorescent’s, Opaque and numerous others.

Direct Thermal

Printing by ‘direct thermal’ works by combining a printer, its printhead, the label material – but ‘No’ ink ribbon. The label material turns black when passed under the heating elements in the printhead of the thermal printer.

Direct Thermal Materials – Uncoated and Coated Papers, Matt Polypropylene.

Thermal Transfer and Direct Thermal Label material are available with many different adhesives depending on the application and what the label is to be stuck to and the environment it will be in. We at Richfield have extensive experience in understanding the importance of this and will use every source of knowledge available to us to find the perfect label match for your product and your business.

We’ve been manufacturing plain labels from our factory in Reading since 1996, with an industry-wide reputation for quick turnaround, service and product knowledge in thermal transfer and direct thermal labelling.

We have 100’s of cutter sizes and having recently invested in the latest generation of another high speed, die-cutting label press, we continue to be competitive and our lead times are why we have so many returning customers.

If you would like to buy these labels from us please contact us on

0118 4022979 or use the contact form