Fewer media changes
Large stacks can reduce how often operators need to stop and replace label rolls during long print runs.
Fan-fold labels
Fan-Fold Labels
Plain or printed fan-fold labels for direct thermal and thermal transfer printers. Built for efficient continuous printing in warehousing, shipping, manufacturing, retail and barcode applications.
✓ Plain or custom printed
✓ Direct thermal or thermal transfer
✓ Made to your printer and application
Fan-fold labels explained
What are fan-fold labels?
Fan-fold labels are self-adhesive labels supplied in a continuous stack that folds back and forth, rather than being wound around a cardboard core. They are commonly positioned behind or beneath a thermal printer and fed through the rear or base feed path.
Because the labels are stored flat in a carton, fan-fold media can be a practical choice for higher-volume barcode, shipping, warehouse and manufacturing applications where reducing roll changes and keeping a continuous print run matters.
Go2Products can supply fan-fold labels plain or printed, on direct thermal or thermal transfer materials, with specifications tailored to your printer and application.
Why businesses choose fan-fold
Built for efficient, continuous label printing
Fan-fold stock can offer practical advantages over roll-fed labels in busy printing environments.
No cardboard cores
Fan-fold labels do not need a roll core, which can reduce packaging waste and simplify storage.
Compact storage
Flat stacks pack neatly into rectangular cartons and can be easy to store beside busy production areas.
Flat stock handling
Labels remain flatter than tightly wound rolls, which can be useful for thicker materials, tags and tickets.
Plain or printed
Use blank fan-fold labels for variable overprinting or ask us about custom printed fan-fold label requirements.
Made to specification
Widths, lengths, gaps, sensing method and fold pattern can all be matched to your printer and process.
Printer compatibility
Designed for thermal label printers
Many industrial and desktop thermal printers can accept fan-fold labels through a rear or bottom feed slot. Brands such as Zebra, Toshiba Tec, TSC and Datamax commonly support fan-fold media on suitable models.
Direct thermal fan-fold labels
Print without a ribbon and are widely used for shipping, logistics, warehouse, retail and short-to-medium-life identification.
Thermal transfer fan-fold labels
Use a thermal transfer ribbon and can provide greater durability or a wider choice of printable materials.
Most modern applications use friction-fed fan-fold labels rather than sprocket holes, although specialist perforated or sprocket-hole formats may be possible on request.
Sizes & specifications
Fan-fold labels made to your requirements
Common fan-fold sizes include formats around 4 inches wide, but we can quote for a much wider range of custom dimensions.
Common examples
4" × 1", 4" × 2", 4" × 4", 4" × 6", 4" × 6.5" and 4" × 8"
Material
Direct thermal paper, thermal transfer paper, card and specialist options depending on the job
Feed method
Rear or bottom feed, friction feed or specialist sprocket-hole formats where required
Plain or printed
Unprinted labels for overprinting or custom printed fan-fold labels for specific applications
Typical applications
Where fan-fold labels are commonly used
Warehousing
Stock identification, picking, location and inventory labels.
Shipping & logistics
Dispatch, routing, carrier and barcode labels for high-volume workflows.
Manufacturing
Product identification, serial numbers, work-in-progress and traceability labels.
Retail & fulfilment
Product, order, price and fulfilment labels printed on demand.
Other label formats
Need a different label supply format?
Frequently asked questions
Fan-fold label FAQs
What are fan-fold labels?
Fan-fold labels are continuous labels supplied in a folded stack instead of a roll. They are commonly fed into thermal printers through a rear or bottom media slot.
What are fan-fold labels used for?
They are commonly used for shipping, barcode printing, warehouse identification, stock control, manufacturing, retail and other high-volume applications where long continuous print runs are useful.
Which printers are compatible with fan-fold labels?
Many suitable thermal printers from brands such as Zebra, Toshiba Tec, TSC and Datamax can accept fan-fold media. Compatibility depends on the exact printer model and feed path, so send us the model number if you are unsure.
Can I order direct thermal fan-fold labels?
Yes. We can supply fan-fold labels on direct thermal materials for printers that do not use a thermal transfer ribbon.
Can I order thermal transfer fan-fold labels?
Yes. Thermal transfer fan-fold labels are available for suitable printers and applications where ribbon-based printing is required.
Can fan-fold labels be custom printed?
Yes. Fan-fold labels can be supplied plain for overprinting or quoted as a custom printed product depending on your requirements.
Do fan-fold labels need sprocket holes?
Not usually. Many modern thermal printers use friction feed, but sprocket-hole or specialist perforated formats may be possible where required.
Can you make custom fan-fold label sizes?
Yes. Send us your finished label dimensions, printer model, material preference and approximate quantity and we can quote for suitable options.
Talk to our label team
Need a fan-fold label quote?
Send us your printer model, label size, material and quantity. We’ll help you choose a fan-fold specification that works for your setup.