Direct thermal 4x6 shipping labels in rolls and fanfold, matched to your printer, throughput, parcel surface and replenishment plan.
Standard size
4x6 in / 100x150 mm
Supply format
Rolls or Z-fold fanfold
Printer fit
Core, gap and unwind checked
Repeat supply
SKU, carton and pallet control
Direct answer
Direct thermal shipping labels are pressure-sensitive labels that create addresses and barcodes through heat, without ink, toner or ribbon. They are the standard choice for parcel fulfillment because they print quickly, simplify media changes and provide enough image life for storage, transit and final-mile delivery.
Send these details for an accurate quote
Operational risk
A low roll price does not help when operators must reprint, reset or relabel parcels. Put these controls in the purchase specification before volume production.
Supply format
Printer hardware, labels per shift and available workstation space determine the right format. Do not choose from unit price alone.
Desktop and industrial printers with spindle support
Compact, controlled media supply with a core and outer diameter matched to the installed printer.
High-throughput stations and printers without a roll holder
Z-fold stacks provide a larger continuous supply and can reduce media changes at busy packing stations.
Printer compatibility
Brand names are not enough. Send the exact model, DPI, sensing method, media path and maximum roll dimensions.
Check your printer model| Printer class | Common workflow | Confirm before production |
|---|---|---|
| Zebra desktop | ZD220, ZD230, ZD420, GK420d | 4-inch media width, 1-inch core, outer diameter, gap sensing and DPI |
| Zebra industrial | ZT230, ZT411, ZT510 | 3-inch core, large roll diameter, winding direction, speed and sensor setup |
| Rollo and Munbyn | Desktop 4x6 direct thermal | Fanfold or roll feed, label width, gap, perforation and driver size |
| Dymo | 4XL and 5XL workflows | Model-specific media path, label dimensions and compatible supply format |
| Generic industrial | 203, 300 or 600 DPI direct thermal | Maximum width, core, roll diameter, sensing method, speed and image density |
Quotation brief
A complete specification ties the label to the printer, parcel and throughput. It also gives purchasing one approved reference for every replenishment.
Fulfillment environments
The same 4x6 size can require a different roll capacity, coating or adhesive when printer fleets, parcel surfaces and handling conditions change.
Standardize labels across multiple customers and carrier workflows.
Confirm printer fleet, labels per shift and carton or poly-mailer surfaces.
Hold a repeatable SKU for daily outbound parcels and peak-season demand.
Confirm pallet quantity, local buffer stock and reorder trigger.
Print carrier and marketplace labels with stable barcode contrast.
Confirm driver size, barcode scaling, DPI and live scan result.
Keep labels attached and readable through handling and route transfers.
Confirm parcel surface, friction, moisture and storage temperature.
Repeat supply
The approved label and packing specification becomes the reference for routine replenishment and peak-season planning.
Share the model, size, format, core, diameter, sensing method, surface and expected volume.
Confirm print response, feeding, adhesion, label count, carton data and pallet plan.
Check barcode contrast, die-cut position, winding, quantity and batch reference before release.
Reuse the controlled specification and batch reference for stable peak-season replenishment.
Production control
Inspection follows the approved printer, surface and packing specification so the next pallet is checked against the same operational requirements.
Buyer questions
Clear answers for printer fit, format, adhesive, barcode performance, samples and repeat supply.
The most common parcel format is 4 x 6 inch, approximately 100 x 150 mm. Confirm the exact driver size and printer media width before ordering because some workflows use a true 100 x 150 mm metric die.
Use rolls when the printer has the correct spindle and roll capacity. Use fanfold when the station needs a larger continuous supply, has no roll holder or benefits from fewer media changes. The printer path and labels per shift decide the better format.
Send the exact printer model, DPI, maximum media width, core, outer diameter, sensing method and preferred roll or fanfold format. Compatibility should be approved from those specifications and a print sample, not from brand name alone.
No. Direct thermal face stock darkens under the printer's heat and requires no ink, toner or ribbon. Thermal transfer is better only when the label needs longer image life or resistance to demanding outdoor, chemical or abrasion exposure.
Permanent acrylic works for many clean standard surfaces. Recycled corrugated board, rough cartons and low-energy plastics may need high-tack adhesive. Temperature changes or cold storage may require all-temperature or freezer adhesive. Test the real parcel surface before a bulk order.
Common causes include weak thermal coating response, incorrect print density, dirty printheads, barcode scaling, insufficient quiet zones, wrinkling or abrasion. Approve the sample on the production printer and scan the live carrier barcode before release.
Counts depend on label size, core, maximum roll diameter, printer space and required stack height. Common programs use 250, 500 or 1,000 labels, but high-volume industrial formats should be specified from the installed equipment and labels per shift.
Yes. Provide the printer and application details so the sample uses the intended size, coating, adhesive, core and format. Test feeding, barcode output and adhesion on the real parcel before approving bulk production.
Stock specifications can start at lower volumes. Custom construction, packing or private-label programs depend on the approved specification and production quantity. Send the initial order and repeat forecast for an accurate MOQ and lead-time quotation.
The approved specification records face stock, coating, adhesive, die, gap, core, winding, label count, carton data and pallet mark. Reorders reference the same SKU and batch-control record, with the first production batch checked against the approval.
Continue with a confirmed product route
Use the specification page or compare the wider thermal-label range.
We will confirm the construction, printer fit, sample route, packing plan, MOQ and lead time from your operating specification.