Northern Label Systems, specialists in supplying superior quality labels explain the differences between Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer Labels.
Thermal Transfer printing utilizes an ink ribbon to transfer the printed image from your heated printhead in the label printer onto the surface area of your label though Direct Thermal printing transfers the impression right onto a heat delicate substance.
You will discover advantages and drawbacks to equally approaches. Direct Thermal label printing will not require a label printer that takes advantage of an ink ribbon, thus which makes it a cheaper label printer. However, the labels are frequently a bit more expensive. This reported there isn't a ink ribbon Value, so the actual printed label Charge is remarkably equivalent. Direct Thermal label printing also requires the label printer’s printhead being in direct contact with the label alone. In case you are printing high volumes of labels you will discover which the printhead wears out a lot quicker than one employed for Thermal Transfer label printing. This could be A significant thing to consider if printing in volume as printhead life might be decreased by involving 24% and 51%. The price of a printhead may differ but is generally all over forty% – 50% of the price of a little desktop label printer and 16% – 26% the cost of a mid-array or industrial quality label printer.
The printed label may even be distinctive with regards to excellent. Direct Thermal label printing is usually only utilized for labels that will likely have a brief shelf life like transport labels, packaging labels and finest before dates. It is because the heat resistant labels utilised commonly fade in daylight around a couple of weeks or months with regards to the standard of UV light-weight. Regardless if the labels are within an indoor office atmosphere the label will typically start to fade right after 12-14 months.
Direct Thermal Labels having a ‘Topcoat’ can be found to make certain a lot more resistance to UV mild, even though This implies an increase in label cost. Most Direct Thermal labels would be the uncoated kind and are used for short-term labelling methods.
Thermal Transfer label website printing takes advantage of the exact same means of printing one example is heated aspects heating up and cooling down very quickly on a thermal printhead. Having said that, with thermal transfer label printing an ink ribbon is accustomed to transfer the printed picture onto typical paper labels or synthetic labels. The result is usually a printed label that won't fade in sunlight and may normally be readable for many years. Because an ink ribbon is made use of this acts as a ‘buffer’ involving the printhead along with the label itself bringing about improved printhead life. Thermal Transfer label printing can be employed to print paper and also synthetic type labels which include polypropylene, polyethylene, vinyl and polyester in the two matt and gloss.
The disadvantages of Thermal Transfer label printing would be that the label printer required is a little more expensive. On the other hand, Thermal Transfer label printers can be used to print Direct Thermal labels far too by simply taking away the ink ribbon. Just keep in mind while, because you may possibly use an ink ribbon to print there is yet another detail to run away from!
Northern Label Systems was Established in 2003 by Simon Brown who began Performing in the label sector in 1988 when he was a industry services engineer for Toshiba which concerned the on-web-site repair of label printers while in the south east of England. He then went on to control the label printer repair facility at Toshiba in Preston in 1992 and right after 3 yrs there labored in several positions as label printer installation engineer then product sales account supervisor for a worldwide label devices service provider. As Managing Director of Northern Label Systems Ltd Simon uses his many years of expertise while in the label marketplace to ensure that only the highest quality goods are offered.
Northern Label Systems is developed on the status for providing good quality labels at the absolute best rates. They provide label printers by Zebra Technologies, Citizen and Toshiba TEC, in addition to self-adhesive labels accessible in a wide variety of dimensions, colors and adhesive sorts to match all label machines and applications, rendering it easy to print your very own labels!
Their merchandise 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 a lot more effective.