General-Purpose Label Materials
The highest-volume category in label materials. Coated paper, direct thermal paper, PP synthetic paper and PET polyester cover most routine applications, from shipping labels to asset tags.
Get the 80% of routine work right first
General-purpose labels do not need complex structures, but they demand consistency: the flatness of a batch of coated paper, the image density of a roll of direct thermal paper and the peel adhesion of a batch of synthetic paper all affect printer feed and read rates.
We have turned the M series into a standardized material library: combinations of facestock (coated paper / direct thermal paper / PP synthetic paper / PET polyester), finish (gloss / matte / silver), adhesive (permanent acrylic / rubber / removable) and liner (glassine / heavy white / linerless), with routine specifications held in stock.
Rolls and die-cut labels, single- and multi-column layouts, pre-printing and print service are all available; laser and inkjet printing have dedicated coating grades to prevent toner rub-off or ink spreading.
- SeriesM1 coated paper / M2 direct thermal / M3 synthetic paper / M4 PETFour families covering mainstream applications
- PrintingThermal transfer / direct thermal / laser / inkjetDifferent coatings for different devices
- Temperature-70 °C to 150 °CCoated paper -40 to 50 °C, PET up to 150 °C and above
- FormatRolls / die-cut / multi-column / pre-printedCustomized to the printer and labelling method
Four families, each covering part of the range
Coated paper
Lowest cost and good flatness; suited to shipping labels, retail price tags and routine barcodes.
Direct thermal paper
Prints without a ribbon; suited to courier labels, point-of-sale and receipts — store away from light and heat.
PP synthetic paper
Water and tear resistant and suitable for outdoor use; replaces paper labels in chemicals, warehousing and equipment.
PET polyester
Temperature and solvent resistant with dimensional stability; suited to electronics, assets and weather-exposed identification.
M series comparison
Each facestock is subdivided by finish, adhesive and liner; the table shows common combinations, while the part number and TDS govern the full specification.
| Series | Facestock | Print method | Common temperature | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| M1 / M11 | Coated paper 50#–100# | Thermal transfer | -20 °C to 50 °C | Shipping labels, retail price tags, routine barcodes |
| M12C | Coloured coated paper | Thermal transfer | -20 °C to 50 °C | Category marking, promotions and colour coding |
| M2 / M22 | Direct thermal paper | Direct thermal (ribbon-free) | -20 °C to 50 °C | Courier labels, receipts, temporary marking |
| M3 / M32C | PP synthetic paper | Thermal transfer / direct thermal | -40 °C to 90 °C | Warehousing, chemicals, outdoor and water-resistant applications |
| M41 | PET polyester, gloss white | Thermal transfer / laser | -40 °C to 150 °C | Electronics, assets, solvent-resistant identification |
| M42 | PET polyester, matte white | Thermal transfer / laser | -40 °C to 150 °C | Equipment labels, nameplate base material |
| M44 | PET polyester, matte silver | Thermal transfer | -40 °C to 150 °C | Metallic-finish labels, appliances and assets |
| MJ | Inkjet synthetic paper / PET | Inkjet / eco-solvent | -40 °C to 120 °C | Colour labels, small batches with many variants |
Direct thermal paper should not be stored in direct sunlight or above 50 °C; for outdoor and damp conditions prefer PP synthetic or PET.
From specification to delivery
01 Specification
Size, number of columns, core, finish and print method.
02 Sampling
Samples sent for testing on your printer and consumables.
03 Die-cutting
Cutting die, waste removal and winding direction matched to the device.
04 Delivery
Volume production, batch-by-batch COC and logistics delivery.
Frequently asked questions
How do I choose between coated paper, synthetic paper and PET?
Coated paper is the most economical choice for dry indoor applications; choose PP synthetic paper when water and tear resistance are needed; choose PET for temperature and solvent resistance with dimensional stability. Prices rise in that order.
How long does direct thermal paper last?
Conventional direct thermal paper lasts about 1–2 years away from light, at room temperature and in dry conditions; for longer retention use thermal transfer with coated or synthetic paper, or a long-life direct thermal grade.
Can I buy small quantities?
Routine specifications are available in small batches; custom sizes depend on the cutting die and minimum order quantity, so please call to discuss.
Not sure which material to use?
Tell us the substrate, service temperature, print method and service life, and a materials engineer will propose a combination, with free samples and print validation.