subject: Thermal Transfer And Direct Transfer Labels [print this page] Thermal transfer printers are generally used to create price tags, bar codes and other labels. The method of thermal transfer label printing involves the use of heat to activate the embedded inks in specific paper to print words and images. A thermal printer consists of a printer head, an ink ribbon, a roll of thermal paper and a rubber roller. The print head of the thermal printer has many resistive heating pins which melt ink into paper on contact.
Mainly two types of thermal printing are thermal wax transfer and direct thermal transfer. The process of thermal transfer printing utilizes a heated ribbon to print character or images onto specialized thermal materials. Conversely, in direct thermal printing, does not require the use of ribbons, and the image is printed right on the label material.
Direct thermal printing requires the use of heat activated thermal papers and films. It uses heat-sensitive and chemically treated medium. That medium blackens in color when it is pressed under a print head, and there is no ink or toner involved. It means direct thermal printing is largely more affordable and portable. Direct thermal printing is popular in the foods industry. The disadvantage to a direct thermal label is the possibility of fading over time which is not ideal for a lifetime product. It is a useful method for receipts, tickets and shipping labels.
Thermal transfer printing uses heating pins which is pressed onto a ribbon which then melts ink into the label material. The wax and a base material prevent the ink from spreading. Then, the ink actually absorbs into the label material and is set permanently. So, the thermal transfer printing process and the resulting labels have more longevity and durability. The advantage of thermal transfer printers is print on paper, film, and even foil substrates.
In thermal label printing, a thermal printer head responsible for applying heat to a ribbon, which melts ink onto the material to form the image. Thermal printing offers the convenience of low-maintenance printing capacity. This method provides image quality and durability on-demand printing technologies. Thermal label is generally useful for product identification, circuit board labeling, asset tagging, and inventory identification.
