Thermal transfer labels require a ribbon to produce crisp images on the labels that will last longer than images printed on direct thermal labels. These blank paper labels have an adhesive backing that sticks to surfaces such as packages, shipping containers, and warehouse or retail racks. A compatible thermal barcode label printer is used to print addresses, barcodes, company logos, and other useful information on the labels to customize them for shipping, tracking, inventory, product identification, and pricing applications.