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Stock Thermal Transfer Labels: Sizes, Cores & Availability

Guide
Stock Thermal Transfer Labels: Sizes, Cores & Availability

Stock Thermal Transfer Labels: Sizes, Cores & Availability

CiS Technical TeamJune 10, 20269 min read

Last verified: June 2026

In short: CIS stocks 40+ thermal transfer label sizes, including 4×6, 4×2, 2×1, and 3×1 on 3″ and 1″ cores, with same- or next-day shipment from Chicago, Atlanta, Reno, and Dallas.

Watch: Label Printing Capabilities: Flexo, Digital, Thermal Transfer

A look at how CIS prints labels across flexographic, digital, and thermal transfer processes, and how we pick the right method for your run length, artwork, and substrate.

  • Flexographic printing uses flexible relief plates and fast-drying inks, which makes it the low cost-per-label choice on long runs.
  • Digital printing is the better fit for short runs, versioning, variable data, and fast proofs with no plate charge.
  • Thermal transfer covers durable in-plant and on-demand printing where labels are produced as they are needed.
  • Substrates include paper, films, foils, and synthetic facestocks, with laminates and varnishes available in line.
  • Spot color matching holds brand colors consistent across reorders.

See all CIS capability videos

Country Innovation & Supply stocks a deep catalog of thermal transfer (TT) labels for same-day or next-day shipment from our Chicago, Atlanta, Reno, and Dallas warehouses. This page is the working reference for buyers who need to confirm a size, core, OD, perforation, or warehouse location before placing an order.

Pricing is not published, label pricing moves with material and freight markets. Request a quote or call us for current pricing on any part number below.

Key Benefits

  • Same-day shipment from the nearest CIS warehouse on orders by 2 p.m. local
  • 200+ stock sizes across paper, polyester, and floodcoats, no minimums on stock SKUs
  • Pre-validated for Zebra, TSC, Honeywell, and SATO thermal transfer printers
  • Free spec review by a CIS labeling specialist before you commit to a roll size
  • US-based warehousing (Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Reno) for fast nationwide delivery
SizeCore / ODBest For
4" x 6" perforated3" core / 8" ODShipping, pallet, GS1-128
4" x 2" perforated3" core / 8" ODCarton, address, inventory
2" x 1" perforated1" core / 5" ODProduct ID, retail, bins
3" x 1" perforated1" core / 5" ODShelf, work-in-process
Need a size or material not listed? Request a custom quote, fast turn on stocked sizes, full quoting on custom builds.

When to Choose Thermal Transfer

Thermal transfer printing uses a heated ribbon to transfer ink onto the label. Compared to direct thermal, TT labels:

  • Last 2-7+ years without fading (vs. 6-12 months for direct thermal)
  • Tolerate heat, sunlight, friction, and most chemicals
  • Print sharper, denser barcodes that scan reliably for the life of the label
  • Work on synthetic substrates (polyester, polypropylene, vinyl) as well as paper

TT is the right choice for product identification, asset tags, compliance labels, warehouse rack and bin labels, GHS labels, and any application where the label needs to outlive the shipment.

TT Paper Rolls, 3" Core, 8" OD

Our highest-volume stock format, sized for industrial Zebra, SATO, TSC, Honeywell, and Printronix tabletop printers. White semi-gloss paper face stock with permanent acrylic adhesive, 1/8" gap, 1/8" radius corners, perforated unless noted.

SizeNotesWarehousesLabels/RollRolls/Case
1.5" x 1"PerfChicago, Atlanta5,5008
2" x 1"PerfChicago, Atlanta, Reno, Dallas5,5008
2" x 1"Perf, 2-acrossChicago, Atlanta, Dallas11,0004
2" x 1.5"PerfChicago, Atlanta, Reno, Dallas3,5008
2" x 2"PerfChicago, Atlanta, Reno, Dallas2,7508
3" x 1"PerfChicago, Atlanta, Reno, Dallas5,5006
3" x 2"PerfChicago, Atlanta, Reno, Dallas2,7506
3" x 3"PerfChicago, Atlanta, Reno, Dallas1,8006
3" x 4"PerfChicago, Atlanta, Dallas1,4006
3" x 5"PerfChicago, Atlanta, Reno, Dallas1,1006
3" x 6"PerfChicago1,0006
3.25" x 5.5"PerfChicago, Atlanta1,0006
3.5" x 1"PerfChicago, Atlanta5,5004
3.5" x 8"PerfChicago, Atlanta, Reno, Dallas7504
4" x 500'Continuous, liner exposedChicago, Atlanta, DallasContinuous4
4" x 1"PerfChicago, Atlanta, Reno, Dallas5,5004
4" x 2"PerfChicago, Atlanta, Reno, Dallas2,7504
4" x 2.5"PerfChicago, Atlanta, Reno, Dallas2,2004
4" x 3"PerfChicago, Atlanta, Reno, Dallas1,8004
4" x 4"PerfChicago, Atlanta, Reno, Dallas1,4004
4" x 5"PerfChicago, Atlanta, Reno, Dallas1,1004
4" x 6"PerfChicago, Atlanta, Reno, Dallas1,0004
4" x 6"No perfChicago, Atlanta, Reno, Dallas1,0004
4" x 6"No perf, 12" ODChicago, Atlanta, Dallas2,5002
4" x 6"Synthetic filmChicago, Reno1,0004
4" x 6"Tag, perf, notchedChicago, Atlanta, Reno, Dallas8004
4" x 6.5"PerfChicago, Atlanta, Reno, Dallas9004
4" x 8"PerfChicago, Atlanta, Reno, Dallas7504
4" x 13"PerfChicago, Atlanta, Dallas5004
4.5" x 2.5"PerfChicago, Atlanta2,2004
5" x 3"PerfChicago, Atlanta1,8004
5" x 7"PerfChicago, Atlanta, Reno, Dallas8004
6" x 4"PerfChicago, Atlanta1,5004
The 4" x 6" perforated label is the most common shipping label format in North America and is held in deep stock at every CIS warehouse.

TT Paper Rolls, 1" Core, 5" OD

Sized for desktop thermal printers (Zebra GK/GX/ZD series, TSC DA/DH series, Honeywell PC42).

SizeLabels/RollRolls/Case
2" x 1"2,3004
2.25" x 1.25"1,9004
3" x 2"1,2404
3" x 3"8504
3.5" x 1"2,3004
4" x 1"2,3004
4" x 2"1,2504
4" x 3"8504
4" x 4"7004
4" x 6"4504
All 1" core / 5" OD configurations ship from Chicago.

TT Paper Rolls, 1" Core, 4" OD

Compact rolls for handheld and mobile printers.

SizeLabels/RollRolls/Case
4" x 0.75"1,78012
4" x 2"73012
4" x 3"50012
4" x 6"25012
Stocked in Chicago.

TT Fanfolds, Perforated

Fanfold stacks for high-volume tabletop printers that draw from a behind-printer tray. Eliminates roll-change downtime on long runs.

SizeLabels/StackStacks/CaseWarehouses
4" x 2"6,0002Chicago, Atlanta, Reno, Dallas
4" x 3"4,0002Chicago, Atlanta, Reno, Dallas
4" x 4"3,0002Chicago, Atlanta, Reno, Dallas
4" x 6"2,0002Chicago, Atlanta, Reno, Dallas
4" x 6.5"2,0002Chicago, Atlanta
4" x 8"1,0002Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas
5" x 3"4,0002Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas
6" x 4"2,0002Chicago, Atlanta

TT Polyester Rolls

White polyester face stock for harsh environments, chemical resistance, high-temperature tolerance, UV stability, and 7-10+ year service life. All configurations are no-perf and ship from Chicago (with some sizes also stocked in Dallas).

SizeAdhesiveLabels/RollRolls/Case
1.5" x 0.5"Permanent9,4202
2" x 0.75"Aggressive6,5002
2" x 1.25"Permanent4,2702
3" x 1"Aggressive5,2402
3" x 3"Permanent1,8802
4" x 2.5"Permanent2,2402
4" x 6"Permanent1,0002
Use polyester for asset tags, equipment nameplates, GHS chemical drum labels, retro-reflective rack labels, and any application where paper would fail. See our Industrial Label Materials Guide for face-stock selection criteria.

TT Floodcoats, 3" Core, 8" OD

Pre-printed solid color face stock used for color-coded picking, expedited shipping, hazard identification, and zone marking. All floodcoats are 4" x 3", 4" x 6", or 4" x 6.5" perforated, 1,000 labels per roll on the 4" x 6" size, and stocked in Chicago, Atlanta, Reno, and Dallas.

Standard Pantone colors stocked: PMS Yellow, PMS 021 Orange, PMS 182 Pink, PMS 185 Red, PMS 251 Purple, PMS 2975 Blue, PMS 365 Green, PMS 726 Brown.

Fluorescent floodcoats (4" x 6", perf): PMS 801 Blue, 802 Green, 804 Orange, 805 Red, 806 Pink. Stocked in Chicago, Atlanta, Reno, and Dallas.

The 4" x 6" PMS 2975 Blue fanfold variant is the standard color for high-visibility shipping labels and is also stocked at multiple warehouses.

Specifications That Apply to Every TT Stock Label

  • General-purpose permanent acrylic adhesive unless noted "aggressive"
  • 1/8" gap between labels, 1/8" radius corners unless noted
  • Compatible with all standard thermal transfer ribbons (wax for paper face stock, wax/resin or resin for synthetic face stock, see our thermal transfer ribbon reference)
  • Made in the USA
  • Same-day shipment for in-stock items ordered before warehouse cutoff
Label Face StockRecommended Ribbon
Paper (semi-gloss white)Premium wax or general-purpose wax
Synthetic filmPremium wax/resin
Polyester (PET)Premium resin
Floodcoats / fluorescentPremium wax/resin

How to Order

  • Confirm the part-number row above matches your printer's required size, core, and OD.
  • Request a quote with the size, perforation, warehouse preference, and case quantity.
  • CIS confirms pricing, freight, and ship date, typically same-day from the nearest warehouse.

If you need a size not listed here, CIS also produces custom thermal transfer labels in any size, material, adhesive, and color. See Industrial Labels for custom quoting.

Compliance Notes

Stock TT paper labels are general-purpose. For UL 969, GHS / BS5609, ANSI Z535, or ASME A13.1 compliance see the Industrial Label Materials Guide or request a custom industrial label quote.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I order 3" core or 1" core stock?

3" core / 8" OD rolls hold the most labels per roll and fit industrial printers (Zebra ZT, TSC MH, Honeywell PM45, SATO CL). 1" core / 4" or 5" OD rolls fit desktop and mid-range printers. When in doubt, match your printer's media spec sheet.

Perforated or no-perf?

Order perforated for hand-tearing and most print-and-apply systems. Order no-perf for high-speed continuous applicators and when cutting on a custom pitch.

What ribbon should I use?

Premium Wax is the default for paper TT labels. Synthetic face stocks pair with Premium Wax/Resin; polyester needs Premium Resin. Full guidance: Thermal Transfer Ribbons.

Do you ship freight on full pallets?

Yes, multi-case orders ship LTL from the nearest CIS warehouse. Ask your specialist for transit-time estimates by ZIP.

Can I get a sample roll before ordering a case?

Yes, sample rolls are available on request for any stock SKU for qualifying B2B accounts.

Next Steps

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CiS Technical Team

The Country Innovation & Supply team brings decades of combined experience in industrial labeling, packaging solutions, and supply chain optimization.

Labeling
Stock Products
Thermal Transfer

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