Northern Label Systems, experts in supplying superior quality labels explain the differences in between Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer Labels.
Thermal Transfer printing makes use of an ink ribbon to transfer the printed picture through the heated printhead on the label printer onto the surface of the label while Direct Thermal printing transfers the graphic specifically on to a heat delicate product.
There are actually advantages and disadvantages to both solutions. Direct Thermal label printing would not demand a label printer that makes use of an ink ribbon, consequently rendering it a cheaper label printer. However, the labels are frequently a little costlier. This stated there is no ink ribbon Price tag, so the actual printed label cost is remarkably identical. Direct Thermal label printing also calls for the label printer’s printhead to be in direct connection with the label itself. For anyone who is printing large volumes of labels you'll find the printhead wears out quicker than just one utilized for Thermal Transfer label printing. This could be a major thought if printing in quantity as printhead life will likely be lessened by among 24% and fifty one%. The cost of a printhead differs but will likely be close to forty% – fifty% of the cost of a small desktop label printer and sixteen% – 26% the expense of a mid-assortment or industrial high-quality label printer.
The printed label may also be unique in terms of good quality. Direct Thermal label printing will likely be only used for labels that could have a brief shelf life which include shipping labels, packaging labels and greatest in advance of dates. This is due to the heat resistant labels utilized normally fade in daylight about a few weeks or months according to the amount of UV gentle. Even though the labels are within an indoor Business natural environment the label will generally start to fade following 12-fourteen months.
Direct Thermal Labels with a ‘Topcoat’ are available to make sure much more resistance to UV light, although this means a rise in label rate. Most Direct Thermal labels are the uncoated type and they are useful for temporary labelling remedies.
Thermal Transfer label printing employs precisely the same way of printing as an example heated components heating up and cooling down in a short time over a thermal printhead. Having said that, with thermal transfer label printing an ink ribbon is utilized to transfer the printed picture onto conventional paper labels or artificial labels. The result check here is a printed label that won't fade in sunlight and may normally be readable for many years. Because an ink ribbon is applied 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 together with synthetic form labels which includes polypropylene, polyethylene, vinyl and polyester in both matt and gloss.
The shortcomings of Thermal Transfer label printing is that the label printer expected is somewhat dearer. Nonetheless, Thermal Transfer label printers can be employed to print Direct Thermal labels also by just getting rid of the ink ribbon. Just recall although, simply because you might use an ink ribbon to print There may be one more point to operate out of!
Northern Label Systems was Started in 2003 by Simon Brown who started off Operating while in the label field in 1988 when he was a area assistance engineer for Toshiba which associated the on-website mend of label printers during the south east of England. He then went on to manage the label printer fix facility at Toshiba in Preston in 1992 and immediately after a few years there worked in numerous positions as label printer set up engineer then profits account supervisor for a world label systems provider. As Managing Director of Northern Label Systems Limited Simon makes use of his many years of knowledge from the label field to make sure that only the highest top quality items are offered.
Northern Label Systems has become created over a name for providing good quality labels at the absolute best charges. 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 items can develop Address, Iron-On Nametags and Accessories which include Dispensers, Unwinders and Rewinders. These practical instruments are intended to make label processing a lot more efficient.