When chatting with my e-commerce clients, I frequently notice a common mistake: "It's just a shipping label, right? The cheapest one will do, it's going to end up in the trash anyway."
This mindset, unfortunately, is the biggest reason for "Returned Shipment" costs. A barcode that fades in a shipping vehicle sitting under the summer sun or gets rubbed off by friction in transfer centers will come back to you as a customer complaint and an extra shipping invoice.
Today, from a printer's perspective, I will explain why you should prefer roll coated labels (stickers) instead of standard thermal labels in your shipping and logistics processes.
1. Heat and Friction: The Challenging Journey of a Shipment
Standard "Eco Thermal" labels (like receipt paper) are sensitive to heat. In summer, the interior of shipping vehicles can reach 60-70 degrees Celsius. At this temperature, thermal labels darken, making the barcode unreadable.
The Coated Label Difference: Coated labels are printed with "Ribbon" (ink ribbon). Ribbon printing is resistant to sun, heat, and friction from conveyor belts. Even if your package travels from Van to Edirne, the barcode will maintain its original clarity.
2. Professional Brand Image
The first thing your customer sees when they receive a package is the label. A dull, faded, or scratched thermal label creates a "cheap" impression. However, roll coated labels have a semi-gloss surface. The print is vibrant, and blacks appear rich. This sends a message that your brand is meticulous.
3. Assurance for Products Awaiting Shipment
If you provide "Fulfillment" (Storage and Shipping) services or pre-package and shelve your products, you cannot use thermal labels. This is because thermal labels yellow over time while waiting on the shelf. Coated labels, however, are ready for shipment even months later. This saves you the cost of reprinting labels.
Comparison: Thermal or Coated?
You can see which one is more profitable for your e-commerce operation in this table:
| Criterion | Eco Thermal Label | Coated Label (+Ribbon) |
|---|---|---|
| Shipment Security | Risky (Darkens with heat) | Secure (Unaffected) |
| Shelf Life | Short (3-6 Months) | Long (Years) |
| Appearance | Matte, Faded | Glossy, Vibrant |
| Printing Cost | Low | Medium (Ribbon cost added) |
Operational Speed and Roll Advantage
In e-commerce, speed is everything. Using Roll Coated Labels instead of dealing with sheet labels (A4) speeds up your operations. You can print hundreds of shipping barcodes per minute with rolls attached to barcode printers like Zebra, Argox, and Toshiba. Peeling and affixing labels is much more practical in roll form.
Conclusion: Don't Take Risks, Use Coated Labels
In this period of increasing shipping costs, the cost of a product returned simply because its label is unreadable is many times greater than the price difference you would pay for the label. To secure your e-commerce operations and present a professional image to your customers, Coated Labels are the right investment.
To find out which label size is compatible with your shipping integration (Trendyol, Hepsiburada, Shopify, etc.), you can contact us.
