Direct Thermal Printer Vs Thermal Transfer

Both the labels and the ribbon feed through the printer and the printer applies heat to the ribbon to transfer the wax and resin onto the label hence the term thermal transfer printer.

Direct thermal printer vs thermal transfer.

Direct thermal printers require the use of heat activated thermal papers and films but require no transfer ribbon. Generally speaking a company should anticipate direct thermal print heads providing an expected lifetime of 25 50 of a thermal transfer print head. The print color is limited to black unless special preprinted direct thermal paper is utilized and the printing is not as crisp as that of thermal transfer ribbon printing. Thermal transfer printers use a heated ribbon to create durable wristbands asset tags and certification labels.

Print head life in direct thermal printing applications is significantly reduced when compared to thermal transfer printing applications. Do you require long lasting barcodes to identify products and tag assets or do you need to print items with shorter shelf lives such as shipping labels receipts or tickets. Direct thermal printing uses heat sensitive media that blackens when it passes under the thermal printhead. The printer uses the ribbon similarly to the way an inkjet printer would use ink to print on paper but with heated wax and resin replacing the ink.