What is the Difference Between Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer Labels?

Northern Label Systems, specialists in supplying superior quality labels demonstrate the distinctions concerning Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer Labels.

Thermal Transfer printing utilizes an ink ribbon to transfer the printed image in the heated printhead from the label printer onto the surface area of your label though Direct Thermal printing transfers the impression specifically onto a heat delicate substance.

You will discover positives and negatives to both equally procedures. Direct Thermal label printing isn't going to require a label printer that utilizes an ink ribbon, therefore rendering it a cheaper label printer. Nonetheless, the labels are usually a little bit costlier. This stated there isn't any ink ribbon Price tag, so the particular printed label Price is remarkably identical. Direct Thermal label printing also involves the label printer’s printhead for being in direct connection with the label by itself. If you are printing significant volumes of labels you will discover which the printhead wears out a lot quicker than one employed for Thermal Transfer label printing. This should be A significant thing to consider if printing in volume as printhead life are going to be lowered by concerning 24% and 51%. The expense of a printhead varies but is often around 40% – fifty% of the expense of a small desktop label printer and 16% – 26% the expense of a mid-variety or industrial excellent label printer.

The printed label may also be diverse in terms of top quality. Direct Thermal label printing will likely be only used for labels that could have a brief shelf life such as shipping labels, packaging labels and ideal right before dates. This is because the heat resistant labels utilised commonly fade in daylight over a couple of weeks or months dependant upon the volume of UV light-weight. Even when the labels are in an indoor Workplace atmosphere the label will normally start to fade soon after twelve-14 months.

Direct Thermal Labels by using a ‘Topcoat’ can be obtained to guarantee additional resistance to UV light-weight, nevertheless This suggests a rise in label selling price. Most Direct Thermal labels tend to be the uncoated form and so are employed for temporary labelling answers.

Thermal Transfer label printing makes use of the identical approach to printing for instance heated components heating up and cooling down in a short time over a thermal printhead. Even so, with thermal transfer label printing an ink ribbon is accustomed to transfer the printed image on to common paper labels or synthetic labels. The end result is often a printed label that will not fade in sunlight and may normally be readable for many years. Because an ink ribbon is applied this acts as a ‘buffer’ concerning the printhead along with the label itself bringing about enhanced printhead life. Thermal Transfer label printing can be used to print paper together with synthetic style labels read more which include polypropylene, polyethylene, vinyl and polyester in the two matt and gloss.

The disadvantages of Thermal Transfer label printing is that the label printer required is a little more expensive. On the other hand, Thermal Transfer label printers can be utilized to print Direct Thermal labels much too by simply eradicating the ink ribbon. Just bear in mind nevertheless, since you may perhaps use an ink ribbon to print There is certainly yet one more factor to operate outside of!

Northern Label Systems was founded in 2003 by Simon Brown who commenced working while in the label industry in 1988 when he was a area assistance engineer for Toshiba which involved the on-web site repair service of label printers in the south east of England. He then went on to handle the label printer repair service facility at Toshiba in Preston in 1992 and after three several years there labored in quite a few positions as label printer installation engineer then revenue account manager for a worldwide label devices service provider. As Managing Director of Northern Label Systems Limited Simon utilizes his many years of knowledge from the label field to make sure that only the highest top quality merchandise are marketed.

Northern Label Systems has actually been crafted with a standing for giving high quality labels at the very best prices. They source label printers by Zebra Systems, Citizen and Toshiba TEC, together with self-adhesive labels readily available in numerous types of measurements, colours and adhesive kinds to fit all label machines and purposes, rendering it effortless to print your own personal labels!

Their items can develop Address, Iron-On Nametags and Add-ons which consist of Dispensers, Unwinders and Rewinders. These useful applications are built to make label processing far more productive.

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