The Differences Between Label Paper and Thermal Paper in Office Supplies
In the vast family of office paper supplies, label paper and thermal paper are two commonly mentioned members that are often confused with each other. Although they may seem similar at first glance, there are significant differences between them. Let's delve into the details.

I. What is Label Paper?

Label paper, as the name suggests, is a type of paper specifically designed for making various labels. It usually consists of three layers: face material, adhesive, and liner.
•  Face Material: This can be regular paper, synthetic paper, PET, PVC, etc., and is used for printing text, barcodes, or images.
•  Adhesive: Located between the face material and the liner, it provides the stickiness. Common types include permanent adhesive and removable adhesive.
•  Liner (Silicone Paper): It protects the adhesive layer and is removed when the label is applied.
Common Applications:
•  Product price labels
•  Some types of shipping labels
•  Asset management labels (e.g., computer or equipment identification numbers)
•  Warehouse shelf identification
•  Ingredient labels on food packaging
Printing Methods:
Label paper typically needs to be used with laser printers, inkjet printers, or dedicated label printers (such as those from Zebra or Brother brands), which use toner, ink, or thermal transfer to create images.

II. What is Thermal Paper?

Thermal paper is a special type of paper coated with a chemical layer that changes color when heated. When the print head heats up, the coating undergoes a chemical reaction to display text or images—no ink, toner, or ribbon is required.
Most Notable Features:
•  Inkless printing: Characters are "burned" onto the paper using heat.
•  Low cost and fast printing: Suitable for high-frequency, large-volume printing.
•  Fading text: The print can gradually fade or even disappear over time when exposed to light, heat, friction, or chemicals.
Common Applications:
•  Supermarket shopping receipts
•  ATM/bank transaction slips
•  Electronic shipping labels for express delivery (increasingly using thermal paper)
•  Fax paper (for old thermal fax machines)
•  Medical instrument print records
Note: Thermal paper is not suitable for important documents that need to be preserved for a long time!

III. Storage Conditions

Label paper is relatively easy to store. As long as it is not exposed to dampness, high temperatures, or direct sunlight for extended periods, it can maintain its condition well. Due to its relatively stable structure, it is more tolerant of environmental factors and can be stored for a long time in ordinary office environments.
Thermal paper, on the other hand, requires more careful storage. It should be kept in a dry, cool, and well-ventilated place, avoiding direct sunlight and high temperatures. The chemical nature of the thermal coating is quite reactive, and it can easily discolor or fade when exposed to adverse external factors, leading to the loss of information. Generally, the optimal storage period for thermal paper is relatively short, usually ranging from a few months to 2 years, depending on the actual storage conditions.

IV. Cost and Price

From a cost perspective, the price of label paper varies depending on factors such as material, size, and brand. Generally, ordinary label paper is quite affordable. However, if the label paper is made of special materials or has special functions (such as water or oil resistance), the price will be higher. When purchasing in large quantities, the unit price can be further reduced.
Thermal paper is relatively inexpensive. This is mainly because its production process does not involve the complex adhesive and liner manufacturing processes, and it does not require ink cartridges or toner for printing. However, this low cost also means that it may encounter some problems during use and storage, such as unstable printing results and a short shelf life. From a long-term usage and overall cost perspective, its cost-effectiveness needs to be carefully considered.

V. Common Misconceptions Clarified

Misconception 1: "All shipping labels are thermal paper."
This is not the case! Early shipping labels were mostly made of ordinary label paper printed with thermal transfer. Now, mainstream courier companies (such as SF Express and JD.com) have widely adopted thermal label paper—it is a combination of thermal paper and adhesive. Therefore, it cannot be simply categorized as one or the other.

Misconception 2: "Thermal paper is a type of label paper."

Strictly speaking, thermal paper ≠ label paper. Only when thermal paper is made into adhesive "thermal labels" does it have the characteristics of both. Ordinary thermal paper (such as receipt paper) does not have stickiness.

Choosing the right type of paper in office supplies is crucial. Only by understanding the differences between label paper and thermal paper can you select the appropriate type of paper according to your actual needs, ensuring efficient work while maximizing cost savings and effective information transmission. It is hoped that this article will help you better understand these two types of paper and make the selection of office paper more effortless.