Why Shipping Labels Fade? How to Prevent It?
Shipping labels are essential to efficient logistics — they carry addresses, tracking barcodes, order info, and detailed routing instructions. Whether you run an e-commerce shop, a fulfillment center, or ship products regularly, you rely on clear labels that stay readable from pickup to delivery.
But what happens when those labels fade? A faded shipping label can cost you time, money, and customer satisfaction. In this article, we'll dig deep into why shipping labels fade, explore the science behind printing technologies, and give you actionable strategies to prevent label fading — including optimizing for “does thermal printing fade” concerns and choosing the best thermal shipping label options.
Why Do Thermal Shipping Labels Fade?
Let’s look at the real reasons fading happens — and why thermal printing fades sometimes.
♦ Heat Exposure
Since thermal printing is heat-activated, heat exposure remains its number-one enemy.
Even after printing, prolonged exposure to high temperatures — from sunlight, hot vehicles, or warm storage areas — can continue to activate the chemicals in the label. This causes the print to darken, blur, or fade.
♦ Sunlight and UV Damage
UV rays are extremely damaging among other rays. They disintegrate the molecular fabric of the heat, reflective coating, and can make the label lose contrast, fade, or yellow.
This is a common problem with the boxes that remain in sunlight on the loading docks or are transported.
♦ Humidity and Moisture
Moisture doesn’t just damage adhesives — it can also interfere with the thermal coating and cause prints to blur or fade.
High humidity conditions soften the label material and weaken the printing reaction.
♦ Chemicals and Abrasion
Labels come into contact with tons of substances during handling — hand sanitizers, oils, cleaning agents, packing materials, or even adhesives from tape.
These chemicals can actually erode thermal coatings and cause prints to smear or fade. Frequent rubbing and abrasion do the same.
♦ Aging
Even under ideal conditions, direct thermal prints fade slowly over time. The chemical changes aren’t permanent and continue to degrade as the label ages
The Consequences of Faded Shipping Labels
Small fading may seem like an aesthetic issue. But it can have real business consequences:
✘ Unreadable Barcodes: If the barcode fades or loses contrast, automatic scanners at sorting facilities may fail to read it — causing delivery delays.
✘ Compliance Failures: Important information like tracking numbers, return addresses, or service class can become illegible.
✘ Brand Perception: A faded or damaged label looks unprofessional and can negatively impact customer trust.
✘ Operational Disruptions: Faded labels increase the risk of misrouting, manual scanning errors, and reshipping costs.
How to Prevent Shipping Labels from Fading
Even though thermal printing has its limitations, there are practical ways to prevent fading and protect your labels.
✔ 1. Choose High-Quality Thermal Shipping Labels
Not all labels are created equal. "Economy" labels often skip the protective topcoat to save money. This leaves the chemical layer exposed to the elements. Premium options, such as the MUNBYN Shipping Labels, feature a multi-layer protection system. These labels have some properties like waterproof, oil-proof, and scratch-resistant, which can handle most of the problems encountered during logistics.
✔ 2. Store Labels Correctly
Please follow the following storage principles:
- Keep label rolls in a cool and dry place.
- Avoid stacking labels near windows or heat sources.
- Use original packaging to keep out light and humidity.
Proper storage preserves the heat-sensitive coating until you’re ready to print.
✔ 3. Keep Clean Printhead
Regularly calibrate your thermal printer and clean the print head so it delivers consistent, optimal results.
✔ 4. Use Protective Overlays or Coatings
For labels that may be exposed to harsh conditions (like outdoor shipments): Apply a clear thermal laminate. And use UV-resistant sprays or films.
These act like armor, shielding the label from sunlight, moisture, and abrasion.
✔ 5. Avoid Tape Directly on Labels
A surprising cause of fading is placing packing tape over the printed label. Some tapes contain chemicals that react with thermal coatings and cause printing to disappear.
If you must protect the label, use a clear label protector designed for thermal prints, not packing tape.
Why Choose MUNBYN Thermal Shipping Labels?
When it comes to protecting your business's reputation, the quality of your consumables matters. MUNBYN has established itself as a leader in the thermal printing space by focusing on the "Triple-Proof" philosophy.
1. Water-Proof & Oil-Proof: MUNBYN labels are engineered with a specialized coating that repels liquids. Whether it’s splashing water droplets or a rainstorm during the "last mile" of delivery, your label stays legible.
2. Strong Permanent Adhesive: Whatever the reason, a falling, off-label is just as bad as a fading label. MUNBYN labels are equipped with a super-strong adhesive that not only attaches to mailers, envelopes, and boxes but also prevents them from peeling off even during rough handling in transit.
3. BPA/BPS Free: Some low-priced thermal papers are found to have BPS /BPA, which is a health risk. MUNBYN offers a safer and environmentally friendly option that still retains the print's durability.
4. Universal Compatibility: It doesn't matter if you have a MUNBYN printer, a Rollo, or a Zebra; these labels are made to be compatible with all major direct thermal brands, which means they also help to avoid paper jams that might cause misprints and wastage
What to Do If Your Labels Are Already Fading
If you notice your current batch of labels is starting to look "ghostly," here is a quick checklist:
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The Scratch Test: Take a coin or your fingernail and quickly scratch the white part of the label. If it leaves a black mark, the thermal chemicals are still active. If it doesn't, the paper is "dead" or of poor quality.
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Clean Your Print Head: Sometimes "fading" is actually just a dirty print head. Use an isopropyl alcohol wipe to clean the heating element of your printer. Dust and adhesive buildup can prevent heat transfer.
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Check Your Power Supply: Ensure your printer is plugged directly into a wall outlet rather than a daisy-chained power strip. Consistent voltage is required for consistent heat.
Conclusion
In the world of logistics, the tiniest things are what most often make the biggest difference. A shipping label that looks like it has seen better days is one of those tiny things that can literally give you a very hard time. By grasping the fact that thermal shipping labels, when exposed to heat, light, and chemicals, react, you can protect them accordingly.
Don't go for "cheap labels" that will eventually make your customer unsatisfied. Selecting first-class, top-coated labels and adhering to the storage and application advice given above will guarantee that every parcel that you send will have a neat, formal label, easily scannable and visible from the outside.
Ready to upgrade your shipping game? Check out the MUNBYN Shipping Labels and experience the peace of mind that comes with "Triple-Proof" protection.