Frequently Asked Questions
1. Product & Customization
Explore our product range, customization options, and key technical capabilities.
Q1: What products do you mainly produce?
We supply thermal labels and printable tag materials, including direct thermal labels, thermal transfer label stock, and thermal tag stock for barcode printing, shipping, retail pricing, warehouse identification, and merchandise tagging. Explore our material options and product categories on the Products page.
Q2: Do you support custom sizes and specifications?
Yes. We support custom sizes and specifications based on customer requirements. Product sizes can range from approximately 1 × 1 cm to 35 × 40 cm.
Q3: Do you support different core sizes, roll diameters, and rewinding requirements?
Yes. Core sizes can be customized to match your equipment requirements. Roll diameters are available in 40 cm, 50 cm, or 65 cm, and rewinding is also supported. The maximum length of a single roll can reach approximately 2,000 meters.
Q4: What printing capability do you offer?
We support printing of up to 11 colors and offer multi-color registration to meet the needs of complex designs and custom printing requirements.
Q5: What converting and finishing options do you offer?
We offer a wide range of converting and finishing options, including die cutting, lamination, foil stamping, tinting, adhesive removal, back printing, variable data printing, and thermochromic applications. Additional requirements can also be discussed based on your project.
Q6: What are your printing and die-cutting tolerances?
Our color registration tolerance can be controlled within ±0.3 mm, and our die-cutting tolerance is approximately ±0.5 mm, which meets the requirements of most label applications.
Q7: How do I choose between direct thermal labels and thermal transfer labels?
Direct thermal labels are suitable for short-term applications, such as shipping labels, warehouse labels, retail price labels, and temporary identification labels. They do not require ribbons, which makes the printing process simpler and helps reduce overall printing costs. However, direct thermal materials are relatively more sensitive to heat, strong light, friction, and long-term storage conditions.
Thermal transfer labels are used with ribbons and are better suited for applications that require higher durability, such as long-term inventory labels, asset labels, outdoor or semi-outdoor labels, scratch-resistant labels, heat-resistant labels, or labels used in more demanding environments. The printed image is usually more stable and can last longer.
For full details on the differences and recommended applications, please see our guide: “Direct Thermal Labels vs. Thermal Transfer Labels.”
If you are not sure which option is right for your application, we can recommend a suitable solution based on your required service life, labeling environment, printer type, surface material, and durability requirements.
Q8: What label materials are available?
We can provide commonly used label materials for both direct thermal and thermal transfer applications, including direct thermal paper, thermal synthetic paper, coated paper, writing paper, PP, PET, PE, and other standard label materials. Different liners, adhesives, and surface treatments can also be selected based on the application.
For tag products, we can also supply direct thermal tag materials, thermal transfer tag materials, and other materials suitable for retail, warehouse, and logistics applications.
Different materials vary in printing method, durability, water resistance, scratch resistance, cost, and application environment. Customers can share their specific use case, and we will recommend a suitable material combination based on the actual requirements.
Q9: Can you provide labels with different adhesives or for special application environments?
Yes. We can provide different adhesive and material solutions according to the customer’s application environment, such as permanent adhesive, removable adhesive, strong adhesive, cold storage adhesive, freezer-grade adhesive, moisture-resistant adhesive, and label solutions for cartons, plastic, glass, metal, and other surfaces.
For special application environments, such as cold storage, cold chain logistics, food packaging, humid environments, rough carton surfaces, or short-term removable labels, we can match the material according to the labeling surface, temperature range, required service life, and application requirements.
If the customer has specific testing requirements, samples can be tested before confirming the final production order.
Q10: What information should I provide to choose the right adhesive?
To help select the right adhesive, we usually recommend providing the following information: the surface the label will be applied to, such as carton, plastic, metal, glass, film bag, or other materials; the temperature range during labeling and use; whether the label will be used in cold storage, freezer, humid, high-temperature, or outdoor environments; how long the label needs to remain in place; whether it needs to be removable; and whether it will be exposed to water, oil, chemicals, or frequent friction.
Customers can also provide existing label samples, photos, or application descriptions. This helps us evaluate the adhesive type, facestock, and liner combination more accurately, reducing the risk of label lifting, edge curling, adhesive residue, or insufficient adhesion.
Q11: What artwork file formats do you accept?
We accept common artwork file formats, including AI, PDF, EPS, CDR, PSD, and high-resolution image files. For custom printed labels, we usually recommend providing vector files to ensure clear text, lines, barcodes, and graphics.
If the design includes specific colors, we recommend providing Pantone color codes or physical samples for reference. For labels with barcodes, QR codes, or variable data, it is also helpful to confirm the printing content, data format, and scanning requirements in advance.
If the customer does not have complete artwork files yet, they can provide the label size, text content, logo, color requirements, and reference images first. We can help confirm the printing solution based on the actual situation.
Q12: Can you provide digital proofs or samples before mass production?
Yes. Before mass production, we can provide digital proof confirmation, layout confirmation, or sample confirmation depending on the order requirements. For regular custom orders, we usually confirm the size, material, printed content, color, roll direction, core size, and packaging requirements before arranging formal production.
For orders with higher requirements for color, barcodes, special materials, or special adhesives, we recommend confirming samples or proofing results before mass production. This helps reduce production risks and ensures that the final product better matches the customer’s actual application needs.
2. Order Quantities & Sampling
Review MOQ, small-order support, and sampling options before placing an order.
Q13: What is your standard MOQ?
Our standard MOQ is usually around 500 square meters, but it can vary depending on the material, size, printing method, and processing requirements.
Q14: Can you accept orders below the MOQ?
Yes. For orders below the standard MOQ, we usually use digital printing to support small-volume production.
Q15: What production methods do you use for different order volumes?
For small-volume orders, we usually use digital printing. For regular or larger-volume orders, we typically use roll-to-roll printing or offset printing. This helps balance flexibility, efficiency, and cost.
Q16: Do you support sampling and trial orders?
Yes. We can arrange samples or trial orders based on your requirements, so product details, compatibility, and performance can be confirmed before mass production.
Q17: Are samples and trial orders charged?
Samples are usually charged based on specific specifications and processing requirements. If a formal order is placed afterward, the sample fee can usually be deducted from the first official order. Trial orders are not free and will be charged according to the product specifications, quantity, and processing requirements.
Q18: How long does sample preparation take?
For standard in-stock thermal label materials, finished label samples can usually be prepared within 1–2 working days before shipment. Custom printed labels, special sizes, special adhesives, or materials that require sourcing may take longer. Courier transit time is not included.
Q19: What information do you need for a quick quotation?
For a fast and accurate quotation, customers are encouraged to provide the label size, material type, adhesive requirements, core size, roll diameter or quantity per roll, roll direction, order quantity, printing colors, whether lamination or other finishing is required, packaging requirements, and destination country or port.
If the customer is not sure about the exact material, they can first provide the application scenario, such as shipping labels, warehouse labels, retail price labels, food packaging labels, cold chain labels, or tag products. We can recommend a suitable material and production solution based on the intended use.
The more complete the information, the more accurate the quotation will be, and the less time will be needed for repeated confirmation.
3. Quality, Capacity & Delivery
Understand our quality control process, production capacity, lead time, and export support.
Q20: How do you ensure product quality?
We follow quality control procedures throughout the production process and use inspection equipment to monitor key stages, helping maintain stable quality and batch consistency. For more details about our inspection workflow and production setup, please visit our Production Capacity page.
Q21: What is your production capacity?
We operate a mature roll-to-roll production system with a maximum daily output of approximately 15,000 square meters, allowing us to support continuous order demand with stable supply capability. Learn more about our production setup on the Production Capacity page.
Q22: What is your lead time? Do you support export orders?
Lead time depends on product specifications, order quantity, and production schedule. We can also support urgent orders when capacity allows. In addition, we have practical export experience and can support international shipping and export-related coordination.
Q23: How do you control batch consistency for repeat orders?
We control batch consistency through multiple inspection steps. During printing, we check the color, text, graphics, registration, and material condition. During slitting and die-cutting, we conduct a second inspection to confirm the size, die-cutting position, and roll condition.
After that, the products go through a dedicated inspection machine for a third round of checking, helping identify possible printing, slitting, or roll-related issues. Before shipment, we also conduct random sampling inspections to confirm the product appearance, quantity, packaging, and basic specifications.
For repeat orders, we also refer to the customer’s previously confirmed specifications, materials, colors, and production requirements to help maintain stability and consistency across different batches.
Q24: How should thermal labels be stored?
Thermal labels should be stored in a cool, dry, and dark environment. They should be kept away from high temperature, direct sunlight, high humidity, and chemical exposure. Thermal materials are sensitive to heat, light, and certain chemicals, and unsuitable storage conditions may affect print quality, image stability, or adhesive performance.
In general, labels should be kept in their original packaging and protected from moisture, pressure, and contamination. It is also recommended to follow a first-in, first-out inventory practice to avoid long-term storage.
Different thermal materials, adhesives, and application scenarios may have different storage requirements. If the customer has specific requirements for storage life or application conditions, they can let us know in advance, and we will provide more suitable recommendations based on the material type.
Q25: How are thermal label rolls packed for shipment?
In general, thermal label rolls are protected with plastic wrapping and labeled with identification information to help customers distinguish specifications, batches, and quantities. Core sizes can be customized according to customer requirements, and the customer’s logo or identification information can also be added to the core or related packaging area.
Outer packaging is usually arranged according to the order quantity, roll specifications, and transportation method. For export orders, plastic pallets or wooden pallets can also be used according to customer requirements to improve transportation stability and make warehouse handling easier.
If the customer has special packaging requirements, such as individual roll packaging, specified carton dimensions, pallet size, shipping marks, barcode labels, or warehouse receiving labels, these can be arranged during order confirmation.
Q26: Can you support export documents and international shipping coordination?
Yes. For export orders, we can provide regular export documents according to order requirements, such as commercial invoices, packing lists, and other basic documents needed for the order. The specific document types can be confirmed according to the customer’s country, shipping method, and customs clearance requirements.
For international shipping, we can work with the customer’s appointed freight forwarder, or assist with shipping coordination based on the order situation. Whether it is a sample order, small-batch order, or formal bulk order, we will help support a smoother export process based on the product specifications, packaging method, and delivery requirements.
4. Payment & Company Information
Find details about payment terms, factory background, and long-term cooperation capability.
Q27: What payment methods do you accept?
We mainly accept T/T (bank transfer). For new customers or first orders, we usually work with a deposit plus balance payment before shipment. Credit terms are generally not offered to new customers.
Q28: Are you a manufacturer or a trading company?
We are a manufacturer with our own production lines. Wenzhou Ruikang Printing Technology Co., Ltd. was established in 2015 as the current operating entity, with factory roots in label and printing manufacturing dating back to 1990. Our facility covers approximately 3,000 square meters and includes in-house capabilities from printing to converting. With stable production, flexible customization, and continuous supply capability, we are well suited for long-term cooperation. Learn more about our company background on the About page.