Thermal Hospital Labels for Positive Patient Identification

Thermal Hospital Labels

Patient Identification Labels

EasyID provides Thermal Labels as both Direct Thermal Labels (image created by label media) and Thermal Transfer Labels (image created by transfer of print from thermal ribbon) to work with related thermal printers. Thermal labels are available in many different sizes and can include patient or product identification text along with 2-D and 3-D bar codes.

Both our Thermal Transfer Labels and Direct Thermal Labels are available on .75 inch and 1 inch cores and are compatible with many table top, desk top, mobile and portable printers.

Labels can also be used as asset tags with printed barcodes on them. These can then be affixed to supplies and instruments in the hospital or medical clinic to provide positive identification and tracking. This can help in the process of checking hospital inventory supply.

Direct Thermal or Thermal Transfer Labels?

Hospital staff needs to know the difference between direct thermal label printers and thermal transfer label printers, and which type better suits their needs. To help decide whether to select a direct thermal printer or thermal transfer printer (or whether you should use thermal transfer or direct thermal labels), consider if the staff will ever need to print labels in colors other than black, if they need to be scanned, needs a shelf-life of over 1 year, needing to print high density barcodes, will be subjected to heat or light, will labels be prone to abuse or surface friction, will they need to be printed on a variety of different papers? If you said "yes" to any of these situations then you should consider using a thermal transfer label rather than a direct thermal label.

Thermal Transfer Printing

Labels can be printed in colors other than black.
Labels have a shelf-life of over 1 year.
Labels are subjected to heat or light.
Labels are subjected to abuse or friction.
Labels are printed with high density barcodes.

Direct Thermal Printing

No need to change ribbons.
No need to discard ribbons for patient security.
Labels print only in black, unless they are preprinted.
Labels have a shelf life of 1 year or less.
Labels not subjected to sunlight or heat.
Labels not subjected to friction or abuse.

What is a Thermal Transfer Label and Printer?

Thermal transfer printers require a carbon ribbon which gets transferred onto a label by heat, hence the name "thermal transfer". The printing is very crisp and durable so this method is excellent for high density barcodes and labels that require dependable scanning for patient information. The other benefit is that thermal transfer printers can print on paper, film, or foil surfaces.

What are Direct Thermal Labels and Printers?

Hospital Labels

Direct thermal printers require the use of heat activated thermal paper labels, but require no transfers of ribbon. The print color is limited to black and the printing is not as crisp as that of thermal transfer ribbon printing. Over time the labels will darken, particularly when the surface gets scratched, or is subjected to heat and sunlight. Direct thermal printing is popular when the life of a label is less than 1 year. The primary benefit is an overall lower cost and easier media changeover since ribbon is not required.

100% Recyclable and Made in the U.S.A.

Let us help you design, print and apply your labels in minutes. From laser to portable printers, EasyID has a solution to meet your application. EasyID's hospital labeling and patient identification solution is compatible with most ADT systems and printers. We will help you find the right solution for your hospital.

For more information - check out our Label page.

For assistance, contact out Patient ID Specialist: Kate Fox
Please call 1-866-371-5132 to order. 

Thermal Hospital Labels for Positive Patient Identification