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Printable labels

In precision processes, there’s no room for errors and slowdowns because of printer-label incompatibility. Whether you need printable labels that use direct thermal, thermal transfer, inkjet, or laser label printing, we have you covered. 

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  1. Give us some initial information
  2. Review and test your label
  3. Production and shipping
White printable labels on a white label liner

Put our printable labels to work for you

Take advantage of our broad range of printing technologies and expertise to build a printable label that meets your every need.

Preprinting, on-site printing, or the best of both

CleanMark offers three different forms of printing, so you can choose the approach that best meets your needs.

Preprinting

Pre-printing is faster, and it’s more cost effective on the front end. It’s the perfect choice for labels that convey pre-established information. We can do both static and variable runs.

Printable labels

On-site printing offers unparalleled flexibility. It’s often the right choice for fast-changing information like sample info, process tracking, or information that may change with little notice.

The best of both

Choosing to pre-print some information and print (or handwrite) other information on site is the best of both worlds. We can partially print labels that you then print on-site during your operational processes.

Printable labels being printed on a thermal transfer printer

Thermal, inkjet, or laser printing

Choosing the right printing method for your printable labels ensures legible, durable results every time.

Direct thermal

With direct thermal printing, no ink or ribbon is required, the label material itself is heat sensitive, changing color when exposed to heat. This method is highly chemical resistant and produces crisp text at small sizes. 

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Thermal transfer

Thermal transfer printing, which uses a heated ribbon and ink, is a highly durable option that can be used on a broad range of label materials, including synthetics like polyimide. 

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Inkjet

Inkjet delivers high-resolution printing with vibrant colors and sharp images and can be used with a broad range of label materials. This method is perfect for applications that require detailed graphics and full-color prints.

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Laser

Laser printing produces sharp, high-resolution printing. It’s a great choice for scenarios that require crips, clear text and graphics, and is highly resistant to smudging, fading, and abrasion.

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What if I need printable labels that are heat resistant or sterile?

Printability is just one of a number of features that need to be optimized for a label or tag to perform well in your processes. We consider them all.

Let us design the perfect printable labels for you

The perfect label isn’t chosen, it’s created. CleanMark puts 40 years of labeling expertise to work for our customers. We research your exact technical and operational needs and then design a label that meets them perfectly. 

Looking for more information about labeling technology and applications?

Explore case studies, articles, guides and more in our extensive library of labeling resources. 

Thermal printing labels
October 30, 2024

5 ways thermal printing labels save you time and resources

Thermal printing labels give you the efficiency of preprinting and the flexibility of on-site customization in a durable label.
July 15, 2024

Should your lab use thermal transfer printable labels?

Discover how thermal transfer printable labels streamline lab procedures and ensure durability even in the harshest laboratory environments.
Case Study

Ionis Pharmaceuticals | Optimizing equipment management with QR code labels

Learn how Ionis Pharmaceuticals optimized equipment management with CleanMark’s custom-engineered, durable QR code labels.

Have more questions? We have answers!

Read on for answers to our customers’ most common questions.

Which printers are your printable labels compatible with?
What types of printable labels do you offer for technical environments?
Are your printable labels compatible with various printing technologies?
How do you ensure printable label performance in extreme conditions?
Can your printable labels meet specific regulatory requirements?
Do you offer custom printable label options for unique application needs?

Gloss

Provides a shiny, gloss finish — not recommended for QR and bar codes

Matte

Matte finish — great for detailed images and text that require high print clarity

Laminated

Versatile technique to provide added protection to printing, change label stiffness, or modify label gloss

EtO

Contains EtO‑sensitive ink that visibly and permanently shifts color once proper ethylene oxide gas exposure conditions have been met

Gamma

An indicator chemical compound irreversibly changes color when exposed to a validated dose of gamma radiation, offering fast visual confirmation of sterilization

Autoclave

Heat‑sensitive ink permanently changes color once the required steam temperature and dwell time have been achieved in an autoclave cycle

QR code

Only select if CleanMark will print the QR code during production

Bar code

Only select if CleanMark will print the bar code during production

Serial number

Only select if CleanMark will print the serial number during production

100% pre-printed

CleanMark prints the entire label, including any variable data like bar codes or serial numbers

Partially pre-printed

CleanMark prints static info but leaves space for handwritten or on-site printing of variable or time-dependent data

Blank

Label is completely blank upon delivery

Direct thermal

Uses heat-sensitive film and a heated print head to create images without ink or ribbons

Thermal transfer

Transfers ink from a ribbon onto the label using heat for long-lasting, durable prints

Ink jet

Sprays tiny droplets of ink directly onto the label surface for full-color, high-resolution prints

Laser

Uses a laser beam and toner to produce crisp, smudge-resistant labels with sharp detail

Handwritten

Labels are manually marked using a pen or marker, offering maximum flexibility but limited consistency

Yes

Not appropriate for machine application

Paper

Affordable, efficient option that accepts ink well. Great for cardboard label application. Not appropriate for cleanrooms.

Polyamide (nylon)

Good option for garments and screen printing

Polyimide

Cleanroom compatible option perfect for electronics and other high heat applications

Polyester

Versatile facestock perfect for high-heat and chemical exposure contexts.

Polycarbonate

Stiffer facestock that can be printed or extruded in a variety of colors. Great for nameplates.

BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene)

Versatile, affordable option with high flexibility and direct thermal options.

Polyethelene

Absorbs color ink well and has high flexibility for adhering to tightly curved surfaces like vials and syringes

Permanent

Remains firmly adhered throughout the intended lifecycle, then can be removed after use residue free

Removable

Designed for easy, residue-free removal after a short to medium lifecycle

Repositionable

Designed to be repositioned during lifecycle — perfect for tracking labels that must move from a component or product to a documentation sheet

Synthetic (clear)

Best for gap sensing printers

Synthetic (colors)

Best for printers that require opaque liners or where clear liner would be a safety issue, such as warehouses, labs, and shipping facilities

Paper

Available in a variety of thicknesses — not suitable for cleanrooms

Paper

Not suitable for cleanrooms

Plastic

Color options available

Glass

Glass

Metal

Metal

Plastic

Plastic

Cardboard

Cardboard

Flat

Includes flat surfaces of all sizes

Curved

Includes vials, beakers, syringes, and any other non-flat surface

Chemical resistant

Remain adhered and legible through exposure to cleaning and other chemicals

Heat resistant

Resist yellowing and discoloration, remaining adhered and legible through heat-intensive processes (100C - 250C)

Freezer

Designed to remain legible and adhered at both freezer (-80C - 0C) and ambient temperatures

Cryogenic

Firm, cold-specific adhesive ensures reliable performance at ultra-low temps (-196C to -86C) and around tight curves, like vials and syringes.

Dry ice

Use flexible materials and adhesive that remain secure and legible when moved in and out of dry ice conditions (-86C to -70C)

Refrigerator

Designed to remain legible and adhered at both refrigerator (0C - 20C) and ambient temperatures with a high degree of moisture resistance

Autoclave durable

Ultra-durable labels that withstands the moisture, temperature (121C or higher), and pressure of the autclave process and can be designed for residue-free removal

Abrasion resistant

Withstand the rigors of shipping and other high-abrasion environments without smearing, degrading, or peeling

UV resistant

Reliable adhesion and legibility through prolonged outdoor exposure

Moisture resistant

Moisture-resistant adhesives and synthetic label materials ensure reliable adhesion and legibility in humid or wet conditions.

Cleanroom labels

CleanMark can produce clean labels up to ISO 5 cleanroom standards. We process labels in our own cleanroom and are ISO 9001:2015 certified. Cleanroom labels are double bagged.

Sterile labels

CleanMark's sterile labels are gamma irradiated after packing. Optional sterility validation testing is available.

Hand applied

Designed for fast, easy hand application

Machine applied

Labels can be customized for your specific label applicator machine

Roll

Labels are wound on a roll

Fanfold

Flat sheets of labels

Labels

3 in.

1.5 in.

1 in.

3/4 in.

Square / rectangle

Circle

Irregular

Width (in.)

Height (in.)

Diameter (in.)

1

2

3

4

5

6