Direct thermal and thermal transfer shipping label and methods of making same

1. A method for printing a label; the label having a first side, a second side opposing the first side, and a border; the border being coated with an adhesive at the second side; a release liner being releasably secured to the second side via the adhesive; the method comprising steps:

providing a printing apparatus, comprising:

a direct thermal printer having a first print head;

a thermal transfer printer adjacent the direct thermal printer, the thermal transfer printer having a second print head; and

a portable case for housing the direct thermal printer and the thermal transfer printer;

coating the second side with a direct thermal coating;

situating the label underneath the printing apparatus such that each of the first print head and the second print head face the first side;

using a controller to cause:

the direct thermal printer to print a second indicia on the second side while the first print head is facing the first side; and

the thermal transfer printer to print a first indicia on the first side.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the label is a shipping label.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the second indicia includes a packing list.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising the step of coating the first side with a thermal transfer coating.

5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the label includes a center portion; the center portion being physically separable from the border.

6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the label comprises a tear strip to facilitate the separation of the center portion.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the second indicia is printed before the first indicia.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the first indicia is printed within five seconds of the printing of the second indicia.

9. The method of claim 6 , wherein the first indicia and the second indicia are printed generally simultaneously.

10. The method of claim 9 , wherein a thickness of the label is configured to facilitate the transfer of heat from the first print head through the label to effectuate the printing of the second indicia.

11. A method for printing a label; the label having a first side, a second side opposing the first side, and a border; the border being coated with an adhesive at the second side; a release liner being releasably secured to the second side via the adhesive; the method comprising steps:

providing a printing apparatus, comprising:

a direct thermal printer having a first print head;

a thermal transfer printer adjacent the direct thermal printer, the thermal transfer printer having a second print head; and

an input device electronically coupled to a controller;

coating the first side with a thermal transfer coating;

coating the second side with a direct thermal coating;

situating the label underneath the printing apparatus such that each of the first print head and the second print head face the first side;

using the controller to cause:

the direct thermal printer to print a second indicia on the second side; and

the thermal transfer printer to print a first indicia on the first side;

wherein each of the first indicia and the second indicia are printed while the release liner is releasably secured to the second side.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the label includes a center portion and a tear strip.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the center portion is separable from the border.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein each of the first indicia and the second indicia is printed on the center portion.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein:

the adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive; and

the release liner comprises silicone.

16. A method for printing a label; the label having a first side, a second side opposing the first side, and a border; the border being coated with an adhesive at the second side; a release liner being releasably secured to the second side via the adhesive; the method comprising steps:

providing a printing apparatus, comprising:

a direct thermal printer having a first print head;

a thermal transfer printer adjacent the direct thermal printer, the thermal transfer printer having a second print head;

a controller;

an input device and an output device, each being electronically coupled to the controller;

coating the second side with a direct thermal coating;

situating the label underneath the printing apparatus such that each of the first print head and the second print head face the first side;

using the controller to cause:

the direct thermal printer to print a second indicia on the second side while the first print head is facing the first side; and

the thermal transfer printer to print a first indicia on the first side;

wherein each of the first indicia and the second indicia are printed while the release liner is releasably secured to the second side.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the label is a shipping label.

18. The method of claim 17 , wherein the second indicia includes a packing list.

19. The method of claim 17 , further comprising the step of coating the first side with a thermal transfer coating.

20. The method of claim 19 , wherein the printing apparatus is housed in a portable case; the first print head and the second print head being exposed within the case.

21. A method for printing a substrate; the substrate having a first side and a second side opposing the first side; the method comprising steps:

providing a printing apparatus, comprising:

a direct thermal printer having a first print head;

a thermal transfer printer adjacent the direct thermal printer, the thermal transfer printer having a second print head;

a controller;

an input device and an output device, each being electronically coupled to the controller;

situating the substrate such that each of the first print head and the second print head face the first side;

using the controller to cause:

the direct thermal printer to print a second indicia on the second side while the first print head is facing the first side; and

the thermal transfer printer to print a first indicia on the first side;

wherein the second side is coated with a direct thermal coating.