Linerless direct thermal label

A linerless thermal label produced by a method comprising the steps of:

• disposing a thermosensitive layer onto one side of a substrate having an opposite side, and allowing the thermosensitive layer to dry, said thermosensitive layer comprising a color former causing the thermosensitive layer to remain color stable at a temperature up to about 90.degree. C. for at least about 10 minutes;
• applying a protective layer on top of the thermosensitive layer and exposing the protective layer to a temperature and a time sufficient to dry the protective layer but not heat the thermosensitive layer to a temperature over about 90.degree. C. for more than about 10 seconds;
• disposing a heat curable silicone mixture on said protective layer and thereafter exposing the silicone mixture to a temperature of between about 60.degree. C. and about 130.degree. C. for sufficient time to cure the silicone mixture without causing color change in the thermosensitive layer to form a release layer;
• applying a pressure-sensitive adhesive onto the opposite side of the substrate and exposing the pressure-sensitive adhesive to a temperature of between about 70.degree. C. and about 150.degree. C. for a time sufficient to dry the pressure-sensitive adhesive without causing color change in the thermosensitive layer;
• and
• rolling the substrate in a manner causing the pressure-sensitive adhesive to contact the release layer.