Labelling plays a crucial role in maintaining safety, organisation, and efficiency in the fast-paced foodservice industry. For preparing ingredients in the back of house (BOH) or managing orders and packaging in the front of house (FOH), accurate and durable labels help ensure food safety compliance, reduce waste, and save valuable time.
But not all label printers are created equal. Two of the most common technologies used in kitchens and cafés are inkjet and thermal printing. While both can produce clear and professional-looking labels, their performance differs significantly in demanding foodservice conditions.
Inkjet Label Printing in Foodservice
Inkjet printing uses liquid ink sprayed onto label stock to form text and images. It’s often chosen for its ability to print in full colour, making it suitable for branded or decorative labels. However, when it comes to the realities of a working kitchen, including exposure to heat, moisture, and frequent handling, inkjet systems often struggle to keep up.
Inkjet labels are prone to smudging if exposed to water, steam, or grease. Drying times can slow down productivity, and replacement ink cartridges or printheads add recurring costs. Regular maintenance is also required to prevent clogged nozzles and inconsistent print quality which can easily interrupt a busy shift.
One example is Kanani Foods, a prepared food manufacturer in the bustling and service-oriented American city of Las Vegas. The company initially relied on inkjet printing for their product labels but found the process too slow and unreliable as production volumes grew. Switching to thermal printing allowed them to produce more than 20,000 labels per day across 195 product lines. This change that improved speed, accuracy, and durability dramatically (read more about this here). The same principles apply to high-volume kitchen environments.
The Rise of Thermal Label Printing
Thermal printing has become the industry standard in foodservice. This is not without good reason. Thermal printers use heat instead of ink to create images on specially coated labels. This can be achieved either through direct thermal (heat-sensitive labels) or thermal transfer (using a ribbon to apply the print). Both methods offer key advantages that make them particularly well-suited to foodservice labelling:
- Speed and Efficiency: Thermal printers produce labels almost instantly. This is ideal when kitchen staff are under pressure to label dozens of containers or prepared items quickly.
- Durability: Thermal labels resist smudging, fading, and moisture damage, even in hot or humid conditions. In comparison, inkjet labels can quickly deteriorate when exposed to steam, refrigeration, or handling.
- Low Maintenance: With fewer moving parts and no ink cartridges, thermal printers require minimal upkeep. This reduces downtime and helps keep operations running smoothly.
- Cost Efficiency: Over time, thermal systems are more economical. They eliminate the ongoing expense of ink and reduce waste from misprints or damaged labels.
- Food Safety & Compliance: Clear, consistent labelling of prep dates, allergens, and expiration information supports food safety regulations and reduces the risk of serving expired or unsafe items.
You don’t have to take our word for it: A 2024 report from Zywell highlighted that thermal printers have become a key tool for traceability and regulatory compliance in the food industry, citing their ability to produce long-lasting, legible labels that withstand demanding kitchen conditions.
Automated Thermal Labelling: Choosing the Right Technology for the Kitchen
Labelling is a cornerstone of efficiency and accountability in foodservice, and automated labelling systems powered by thermal printers deliver measurable benefits:
- Save Time & Boost Productivity: Printing rather than handwriting labels saves hours each week. For a kitchen producing 50 labels a day, this could amount to over 117 hours saved annually, the equivalent of three extra working weeks.
- Ensure Food Safety: Consistent, legible labels reduce the risk of misreading prep or use-by dates and help meet health inspection standards.
- Reduce Food Waste: Accurate labelling ensures ingredients are used in order, minimising spoilage and unnecessary disposal.
- Enhance Accountability: Automated labelling systems linked can track who printed what and when, ensuring consistent oversight across teams and shifts.
While inkjet printing may still have a place for decorative packaging or branding, thermal printing aligns more closely with the realities of foodservice labelling. It’s faster, cleaner, and better equipped to handle the rigours of daily kitchen life. Labels stay readable in hot and humid conditions, and the process demands less intervention from staff, letting them focus on food preparation and service rather than printer maintenance.
For cafés, restaurants, and catering operations looking to improve efficiency and compliance, thermal label printing ultimately stands out as the superior choice. It offers the clarity, durability, and simplicity that modern foodservice operations depend on.