How are colored thermal label papers made?

The production process of colored thermal label paper is a complex and intricate process that combines knowledge from multiple fields such as chemistry, materials, and mechanics. The following are the main steps for making colored thermal label paper:

1、 Material preparation

Paper based selection: The bottom layer of thermal label paper is paper based, usually using paper with a certain thickness and strength as the substrate to ensure stability and durability during the printing process. For colored thermal label paper, the quality of the paper substrate is equally crucial, as it needs to be able to support the colored thermal coating and maintain good printing performance.

Thermal sensitive coating material: The thermal sensitive coating of colored thermal sensitive label paper is mainly composed of various chemical substances such as latent dyes (which are colorless but can develop color under specific conditions), color developing agents, sensitizers, stabilizers, adhesives, etc. These components can undergo chemical reactions under heating conditions, releasing colors.

2、 Coating process

Pre coating treatment: In some production processes, it may be necessary to pre coat the paper substrate to improve its surface smoothness and coating adhesion.

Coating thermal sensitive coating: Use a roller or other coating equipment to evenly coat the thermal sensitive coating on the paper substrate. During the coating process, it is necessary to control the thickness and uniformity of the coating to ensure printing quality. For colored thermal label paper, it is also necessary to precisely control the application position and amount of different colored coatings to achieve accurate color expression.

3、 Drying and curing

After coating, the paper needs to undergo drying and curing treatment to ensure that the coating firmly adheres to the paper and achieves the best printing effect. There are various drying methods, including airflow drying under low temperature conditions and rapid drying using ultraviolet lamps.

4、 Add protective layer (optional)

In order to improve the durability and adhesion of thermal label paper, sometimes an additional protective layer is applied on top of the thermal coating. The protective layer can absorb some of the light that causes chemical reactions in the thermal sensitive coating, slow down the deterioration of the printing paper, and protect the thermal sensitive components of the printer from damage.

5、 Cutting and packaging

Slitting: Cut the coated and dried thermal label paper according to the required specifications to form single sheet or roll label paper.

Packaging: Pack the cut thermal label paper to prevent moisture, contamination, and damage. The packaging material is usually moisture-proof paper or plastic film, and is labeled with relevant product information and usage instructions.

6、 Quality inspection

Throughout the entire production process, strict quality testing is required for raw materials, semi-finished products, and finished products to ensure that the quality of thermal label paper meets standards and customer requirements. The testing content includes the flatness of the paper, the uniformity of the coating, the printing effect, and durability.

In summary, the production of colored thermal label paper is a multi-step and refined process that requires strict control over each step to ensure product quality. By continuously optimizing production processes and technological means, the performance of thermal label paper can be further improved and costs can be reduced to meet the diverse needs of the market.