Industrial High Temperature Labels
SPE Labels supplies industrial high temperature labels for manufacturing, electronics and harsh environments where standard labels fail. We help match the label to your operating temperature, surface and exposure conditions so it stays attached and readable. Since 1996, SPE Labels has supplied labels to manufacturers and ships nationwide from DFW.
High Temperature Label Materials
Polyimide is the core material for high temperature labels and is used for circuit boards, soldering processes and other electronics applications. Other specialty materials are available for demanding conditions that involve heat, solvents, abrasion or extended exposure. If you aren't sure which construction fits, tell us the temperature, surface and process the label has to survive. A label can be the right size and still fail if the material doesn't suit the environment or the adhesive doesn't match the surface, so we review those details before quoting.
Heat Resistant Barcode Labels and Thermal Transfer Printing
High temperature barcode labels can be supplied printed or blank. Thermal transfer printable versions let you print barcodes and part data in-house. For harsh environments, resin ribbons are commonly paired with synthetic labels so the printed image resists chemicals, abrasion and demanding conditions, and we can help identify ribbons for Zebra, SATO, Intermec, Datamax, Eltron and Printronix printers.
Industrial High Temperature Applications
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Circuit board and electronics labels
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Soldering process labels
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Industrial part identification
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Equipment identification
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Barcode labels for harsh environments
Labels are available on rolls, sheets or fanfold, with specialty adhesive systems matched to the application. High temperature labels can also be supplied as serial-number labels for parts and equipment that need to be tracked through production.
High Temperature Label Temperature Guide by Material
The right construction depends on your peak temperature and how long the label sits at it. Typical ranges below; always confirm against the material data sheet.
Polypropylene: up to about 120 °C (248 °F), good for warm process areas and light heat exposure.
Polyester: up to about 150 °C (302 °F), a durable choice for equipment, parts and warehouse use near heat.
Polyimide: up to about 300 °C (572 °F), the standard for circuit boards and solder reflow.
Specialty tags: above 300 °C for ovens, heat treatment and metal processing.
Tell us your peak temperature and how long the label sits at it, and we'll match the construction.
High Temperature Labels for Automotive and Manufacturing Processes
Powder Coating and Paint Bake
Labels must stay readable through cure ovens and keep their adhesion on hot metal. Barcodes need to scan after the bake so parts can be tracked to the next station.
E-Coat
E-coat labels go through chemical baths and a bake cycle. They need a face stock and adhesive that resist the coating chemistry and stay legible afterward.
Circuit Boards and Solder Reflow
Polyimide labels are built to survive reflow and wave solder. They hold small barcodes and serial numbers without curling, discoloring or lifting.
Engine and Under-Hood Components
Under-hood labels face constant heat, oil and fluids. They need to stay bonded and readable for the life of the part.
Heat Treatment and Metal Parts
Heat treatment pushes past what most adhesive labels can handle. Specialty high temperature tags keep part IDs with the metal through the furnace.
High Temperature Label FAQ
How hot can a label get?
It depends on the material. Polypropylene handles about 120 °C, polyester about 150 °C, and polyimide about 300 °C for solder reflow. Specialty tags go higher for ovens and heat treatment. Tell us your peak temperature and exposure time and we'll recommend a construction.
What's the difference between a standard and a high temperature label?
A high temperature label uses a heat-resistant face stock, adhesive and print method. A standard paper or film label can curl, darken or fall off under heat, while a high temperature label stays bonded and readable through the process.
Can I print high temperature labels in-house?
Yes. Many high temperature labels are made for thermal transfer printing, so you can print barcodes and serial numbers on your own printer. We'll match the label to your printer and supply the ribbon that goes with it.
Which ribbon should I use?
For high temperature labels, a resin ribbon is usually the right choice because it resists heat, chemicals and abrasion best. We'll pair the ribbon to your label material so the print survives the same conditions as the label.
Can I get samples to test?
Yes. Testing in your own process is the best way to confirm a label will hold up. Request a quote, tell us your temperatures and application, and we'll help you get samples to run before you order.
Request a High Temperature Label Quote
SPE Labels is ISO 9001:2015 certified and a certified Women's Business Enterprise (WBENC). Send us your label size, quantity, operating temperature, surface, exposure conditions and printer model, and we'll recommend the right high temperature label and quote it.
What to include in your quote request:
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Label size
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Material and temperature exposure (peak temperature and how long)
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Surface the label goes on
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Quantity
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Printing or barcode needs
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Due date