Direct Thermal Printer Vs Thermal Transfer

Direct thermal printing uses heat sensitive media that blackens when it passes under the thermal printhead.

Direct thermal printer vs thermal transfer.

The battle of thermal transfer vs direct thermal printing is most often won by answering a simple question. Thermal transfer printers use a heated ribbon to create durable wristbands asset tags and certification labels. 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. 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 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. 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. 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.