| Thermal transfer printers are used to make bar codes, | | | | time which is not ideal for a lifetime product. It is an |
| price tags and other labels. The process of thermal | | | | effective process for receipts, shipping labels and |
| transfer label printing involves the use of heat to | | | | tickets, however. |
| register and impression into paper. The printhead of the | | | | Thermal transfer printing utilizes a thermal printhead |
| thermal printer has many resistive heating pins which | | | | which is pressed onto a ribbon which then melts ink |
| melt ink into paper on contact. | | | | into the label material. Then, the ink actually absorbs |
| The two types of thermal printing are direct thermal | | | | into the label material and is set permanently. So, the |
| and thermal transfer. The method of thermal transfer | | | | thermal transfer printing process and the resulting |
| printing utilizes a heated ribbon to print images on many | | | | labels have more longevity and durability. |
| different materials. Conversely, in direct thermal printing, | | | | In thermal label printing, a thermal printhead applies heat |
| no ribbon is used, and the image is printed right on the | | | | to a ribbon, which melts ink onto the material to form |
| label material. | | | | the image. The ink is absorbed so that the image |
| Direct thermal printing uses heat-sensitive and | | | | becomes part of the media. This technique provides |
| chemically treated media. That media blackens in color | | | | image quality and durability that is unmatched by other |
| when it is pressed under a print head, and there is no | | | | on-demand printing technologies. This type of label is |
| ink or toner involved. This means direct thermal printing | | | | useful for: product identification, circuit board labeling, |
| is largely more affordable and portable. The drawback | | | | asset tagging, inventory identification and certifications |
| to a direct thermal label is the possibility of fading over | | | | like UL/CSA. |