A heat-transfer label assembly and method of using the same. In one embodiment, the assembly is well-suited for decorating refillable glass articles and includes a support portion, a wax skim coat, and a transfer portion. The support portion may include a carrier web overcoated with a polyethylene layer. The wax skim coat may overcoat the polyethylene layer. The transfer portion may include a protective lacquer, an ink design, and a heat-activatable adhesive. The protective lacquer may be printed directly on the skim coat and may include a cross-linked phenoxy resin. The ink design may be printed onto the protective lacquer and may include a binder, a colorant, and a cross-linking system. The adhesive, which may differ from the ink design only by lacking colorant, may be printed onto the ink design, any exposed portions of the protective lacquer, and the surrounding skim coat.