Northern Label Systems, specialists in supplying high-quality labels clarify the differences among Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer Labels.
Thermal Transfer printing works by using an ink ribbon to transfer the printed impression within the heated printhead of your label printer on to the surface in the label although Direct Thermal printing transfers the picture straight onto a warmth delicate content.
You can find benefits and drawbacks to each methods. Direct Thermal label printing does not need a label printer that employs an ink ribbon, for that reason making it a less expensive label printer. On the other hand, the labels are normally marginally more expensive. This reported there isn't a ink ribbon Value, so the actual printed label Charge is remarkably related. Direct Thermal label printing also demands the label printer’s printhead to generally be in direct connection with the label itself. For anyone who is printing large volumes of labels you will 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 is going to be reduced by amongst 24% and fifty one%. 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 high quality label printer.
The printed label can even be different regarding high-quality. Direct Thermal label printing is normally only employed for labels that should have a short shelf life including delivery labels, packaging labels and most effective prior to dates. It's because the warmth resistant labels made use of generally fade in daylight above some months or months depending on the degree of UV mild. Even if the labels are in an indoor Business office setting the label will frequently begin to fade after twelve-fourteen months.
Direct Thermal Labels which has a ‘Topcoat’ are available to ensure 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 short term labelling solutions.
Thermal Transfer label printing uses the same technique of printing such as heated features heating up and cooling down in a short time on the thermal printhead. Nevertheless, with thermal transfer label printing an ink ribbon is utilized to transfer the printed impression onto regular paper labels or artificial labels. The result is really a printed label that won't fade in daylight and will frequently be readable for a few years. Since an ink ribbon is used this functions like a ‘buffer’ in between the printhead as well as label by itself leading to greater printhead life. Thermal Transfer label printing can be utilized to print paper as well as artificial type labels together with polypropylene, polyethylene, vinyl and polyester in equally matt and gloss.
The drawbacks of Thermal Transfer label printing would be that the label printer needed is a little more expensive. Having said that, Thermal Transfer label printers can be utilized to print Direct Thermal labels much too simply by eradicating the ink ribbon. Just bear in mind nevertheless, since you may perhaps use an ink ribbon to print There is certainly yet one more factor to run outside of!
Northern Label Systems was founded in 2003 by Simon Brown who commenced Doing the job inside the label marketplace in 1988 when he was a field provider engineer for Toshiba which associated the on-site fix of label printers from 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 many years there worked in many positions as label printer set up engineer then gross sales account supervisor for a global label methods supplier. As Managing Director of Northern Label Systems Limited Simon employs his a few years of working experience in the label business to make certain only the very best excellent products and solutions are bought.
Northern Label Systems has been built on a track record for supplying top quality labels at the best possible costs. They supply label printers by Zebra Technologies, Citizen and Toshiba TEC, as well as view website self-adhesive labels available in numerous types of dimensions, colors and adhesive sorts to go well with all label devices and applications, making it easy to print your individual labels!
Their solutions can make Address, Iron-On Nametags and Equipment which contain Dispensers, Unwinders and Rewinders. These beneficial tools are designed to make label processing extra successful.