Self-contained thermal transfer label and method of preparation

A self-contained thermal transfer label apparatus comprising:

• a release stock supporting a releasable face stock having an upper surface and a lower surface, the face stock severed into labels aligned along the face stock;
• an ultra-violet light curable adhesive disposed on portions of the upper surface of the face stock exterior to the labels;
• a donor ribbon strip disposed in registry with the face stock, the donor ribbon strip providing a thermal transfer coating engaged with the adhesive, the thermal transfer coating having a surface tension greater than a surface tension of the second adhesive;
• the donor ribbon strip severed exterior to the labels, enabling removal of portions of the donor ribbon strip while leaving further portions of the donor ribbon strip over the labels.

A method of preparing a self-contained thermal transfer label comprising the steps of:

• providing a release stock as a strip of supportive material;
• coating the release stock with a release coating;
• overcoating the release coating with a first adhesive coating;
• registering a face stock with the release stock and overlaying the face stock onto the adhesive coating;
• severing the face stock into a sequence of labels aligned longitudinally on the face stock;
• placing an ultra-violet light curable second adhesive onto the face stock peripheral to the labels;
• semi-curing the second adhesive using an ultra-violet light energy;
• placing a donor ribbon strip including a transfer coating in registry with the face stock, onto the second adhesive for attachment thereof;
• and together, severing the donor ribbon strip, second adhesive and face stock peripherally to the label and spaced apart from it.