Labels

Paper Labels are the most common and least expensive facestocks. They are an economic solution for everyday bar coding needs. It may be used in any application that does not have to withstand rough handling or harsh environments, for example: labeling, materials management, pricing, shipping, etc.

Vinyl and Polyolefin facestocks are strong and very resistant to smear and hot and cold temperatures. They are often recommended for labeling on curved or irregular surfaces or even under water applications.

Synthetic Labels (Polypropylene or Polyester) withstand more abuse than paper facestocks. They can resist moisture, oil, and dirt, etc. Polypropylene tend to be more general purpose and less expensive material than polyester. Polyester is recommended for any situation that requires a more durable material, will be used in an outdoor and/or moist environment or where extreme temperatures may be experienced, such as: asset management, warehousing shelving, library automation, laboratory conditions, etc.

Label Rolls - When buying labels, the first step is to determine which printer you have, direct thermal or thermal transfer. Thermal transfer printers will require labels and ribbons, while direct thermal require labels only.
Make sure the core and outer diameter of the roll of labels will fit your printer (see diagram below). The most common sizes for large printers are 3" cores and 8" outer diameter. For smaller printers, 1/2" cores and 3" to 5" outer diameter are the most popular.