Products & Compatibility
Do direct thermal labels need a ribbon?
No. Direct thermal labels have a heat-sensitive coating — the printhead darkens the label itself, so there’s nothing else to buy. Thermal transfer labels do require a ribbon: the printhead melts ink from the ribbon onto the label. If you’re printing thermal transfer, add a ribbon to your order.
How do I know whether I need thermal transfer or direct thermal?
It comes down to how long the label needs to stay readable. Direct thermal is ideal for shipping and warehouse labels that are scanned within a few months — lowest cost, nothing extra to stock. Thermal transfer produces a durable, long-lasting print for product labels, asset tags, freezer and outdoor use, but requires a ribbon. If the label ships out the door soon, choose direct thermal. If it stays on a product, shelf or asset, choose thermal transfer.
What core size do I need: 1″ or 3″?
The core is the cardboard tube the labels are wound on, and it has to match your printer’s spindle. Desktop printers (Zebra ZD-series, Rollo, Brother, Dymo and similar) almost always take a 1″ core. Industrial printers (Zebra ZT-series, Sato, Datamax, TSC) take a 3″ core. If you’re unsure, pull the roll currently in your printer and measure the inside diameter of the tube. We stock both, and some sizes are also available with a 0.75″ core.
Will these labels work with my printer?
Yes. Our labels are manufactured to standard dimensions and work with all major desktop and industrial thermal printer brands, including Zebra, Rollo, Brother, Dymo, Sato, Datamax and TSC. What matters is matching three things: label size, core size, and maximum roll diameter your printer accepts. See our Printer Compatibility Guide, or call us at 905-731-0552 with your printer model and we’ll confirm the right roll.
What is roll outer diameter (OD), and why does it matter?
Outer diameter is the width of the full roll measured across the outside. Every printer has a maximum OD it can physically fit — most desktop printers top out around 4″ to 5″, while industrial printers accept 8″ or more. A roll that’s too large won’t close in the printer, even if the label size and core are correct. Check your printer’s maximum roll capacity in its manual, and we’ll match a roll that fits.
Perforated or non-perforated — which should I choose?
Perforated labels have a small tear line between each label so you can separate them by hand — best for manual picking and packing. Non-perforated (“no perf”) labels run as a continuous web, which gives cleaner results on high-speed printing, automatic cutters, and rewind or applicator setups, with no risk of the web tearing early. If your team peels labels by hand, choose perforated.
What does "2up" mean?
A 2up roll has two labels side by side across the web instead of one. It lets you print twice as many labels per roll on the same printer, which brings your cost per label down, but your printer and label software need to be set up for the layout. Call us if you’re not sure whether 2up suits your workflow.
When do I need freezer-grade labels?
Standard permanent adhesive is applied at room temperature and can fail if you’re applying labels to surfaces that are already frozen or refrigerated. Freezer-grade labels use an adhesive formulated to bond at low temperatures and hold in cold storage. If your labels go onto product that’s already cold, not just product that gets cold later, choose freezer-grade.
How should I store my labels?
Keep labels in their original packaging, in a cool dry area away from direct sunlight, ideally between 10–25°C at moderate humidity. This matters most for direct thermal media, where the heat-sensitive coating can darken with prolonged heat or sun exposure. Stored properly, labels stay in good condition for well over a year.
Why is my direct thermal print fading?
That’s expected behaviour for direct thermal media rather than a defect. The coating reacts to heat, so prolonged sunlight, heat, friction, or contact with solvents and adhesives will darken or fade the print over time. If your labels need to stay sharp for more than several months, switch to thermal transfer with a ribbon.
Ribbons
Which ribbon do I need for my thermal transfer labels?
Match three things:
- width: the ribbon should be equal to or slightly wider than your label so the printhead is fully covered
- length: must fit your printer’s ribbon capacity
- core size: typically 1″ on desktop printers. As a starting point, pair a wax ribbon with standard paper labels and a wax/resin ribbon where you need extra durability. Call us with your label size and printer model and we’ll spec the ribbon for you.
What's the difference between wax and wax/resin ribbons?
Wax ribbons are the economical choice for paper labels in general-purpose indoor use, shipping, warehouse and carton labelling, and print with excellent density at high speed. Wax/resin ribbons produce a harder, more durable image that resists smudging, scratching, mild chemicals and moisture, and are the better match for semi-gloss and synthetic labels or anything handled repeatedly. If your labels get scuffed, wiped down, or stored long-term, choose wax/resin.
Can you help me confirm a ribbon works with my labels?
Yes. If you have an unusual application or a demanding durability requirement, send us a sample of your label stock and we can arrange performance testing of ribbon formulations against it, then report back on the best match. Contact us to set this up.
Accounts & Shipping
How long does shipping take?
Orders ship from the Greater Toronto Area. Inside the GTA shipping is a flat rate, starting from $20, and can typically take between 3 – 5 business days. For the rest of Canada, you can see live carrier rates and delivery estimates at checkout before you pay. Your tracking number is emailed when your order ships. Need it by a certain date? Call us at (905) 731-0552 before ordering.
How do I create an account?
You can create an account using the link in the header or at checkout. If you need any help creating an account, please give us a call or send us an email and we’ll be glad to help you.
How do I change my shipping address?
Contact us as soon as possible if you need to change your shipping address. Use the Contact Us link in the header of the website, or give us a call at 905-731-0552.
Do you accept Purchase Orders and offer Net payment terms?
If you require a purchase order or net payment terms, please give us a call and we’ll be happy to discuss options for your business.
Do you ship outside of Canada?
We currently do not ship internationally via our online store. However, please give us a call and we’ll be happy to discuss the specific needs of your business.
What payment methods do you accept?
We accept Visa, Mastercard and American Express through our secure checkout, plus Apple Pay and Google Pay. Need to pay by invoice or with a PO number, or have any questions? Contact us.
Returns & Exchanges
What is your return policy?
We don’t take returns for change of mind, but we fix it if we shipped the wrong item (tell us within 5 business days), if the product is defective (within 30 days), or if it arrived damaged (within 5 business days, with photos). Full details on our Returns & Shipping page.
My order arrived damaged. What do I do?
Contact us within 5 business days of delivery with your order number and photos of the damaged cartons and labels. We’ll contact you to discuss replacement options.
What if the labels don't run properly in my printer?
Contact us. If media is defective (i.e., poor adhesion, jamming, coating or converting faults) we’ll work with the manufacturer to resolve it and replace the affected stock. Print quality issues are often a printer settings mismatch (darkness, speed, or media type) and we can usually sort that out over the phone in a few minutes.
Other Questions
Do you have a Minimum Order Quantity?
There is no minimum. An order with a single case of labels will incur a $20 small order fee, as these orders require additional processing and overhead (Ribbons are exempt from the small order fee). Order two or more cases, of any labels or ribbons, and the fee will be waived automatically.
Do you offer tiered volume discounts for enterprise contracts?
We do not offer tiered pricing on our website. However, if you wish to purchase in bulk, contact us and we’ll be happy to discuss options with you.
Can you provide Technical Data Sheets (TDS), Safety Data Sheets (SDS), or compliance certifications?
Yes. Technical specifications, materials breakdown, and compliance documentation (including ISO, RoHS, REACH, or FDA compliance certificates) can be requested.
Do you offer custom jobs?
Yes. Contact us using the form on this page with the details of your order and we’ll be happy to assist you.