Northern Label Systems, specialists in supplying high-quality labels clarify the differences in between Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer Labels.
Thermal Transfer printing makes use of an ink ribbon to transfer the printed picture from your heated printhead in the label printer onto the surface of the label while Direct Thermal printing transfers the graphic instantly on to a warmth sensitive content.
You will discover positives and negatives to both equally procedures. Direct Thermal label printing isn't going to require a label printer that utilizes an ink ribbon, therefore rendering it a cheaper label printer. Nevertheless, the labels are usually a little bit costlier. This mentioned there's no ink ribbon Price, so the particular printed label Value is remarkably comparable. Direct Thermal label printing also requires the label printer’s printhead being in direct contact with the label alone. Should you be printing large volumes of labels you will find the printhead wears out quicker than just one utilized for Thermal Transfer label printing. This should be A serious consideration if printing in quantity as printhead life will likely be reduced by involving 24% and fifty one%. The cost of a printhead varies but will likely be all around forty% – 50% of the cost of a little desktop label printer and 16% – 26% the expense of a mid-selection or industrial top quality label printer.
The printed label may also be different in terms of excellent. Direct Thermal label printing is normally only used for labels that could have a brief shelf life for example transport labels, packaging labels and very best in advance of dates. This is due to the warmth resistant labels utilised frequently fade in daylight in excess of a handful of months or months with regards to the volume of UV light. Even when the labels are in an indoor Business office natural environment the label will usually begin to fade immediately after twelve-14 months.
Direct Thermal Labels which has a ‘Topcoat’ are available to make sure far more resistance to UV gentle, however What this means is a rise in label price tag. Most Direct Thermal labels are definitely the website uncoated type and are useful for short-term labelling methods.
Thermal Transfer label printing uses the same method of printing for example heated elements heating up and cooling down very quickly with a thermal printhead. On the other hand, with thermal transfer label printing an ink ribbon is used to transfer the printed image onto standard paper labels or artificial labels. The result is actually a printed label that will not fade in daylight and can commonly be readable for quite some time. Mainly because an ink ribbon is utilised this acts as a ‘buffer’ concerning the printhead plus the label itself bringing about amplified printhead life. Thermal Transfer label printing may be used to print paper along with synthetic form labels like polypropylene, polyethylene, vinyl and polyester in equally matt and gloss.
The drawbacks of Thermal Transfer label printing would be that the label printer necessary is slightly costlier. Nevertheless, Thermal Transfer label printers can be employed to print Direct Thermal labels also by just getting rid of the ink ribbon. Just try to remember even though, as you may possibly use an ink ribbon to print there is another thing to operate out of!
Northern Label Systems was Launched in 2003 by Simon Brown who started out Functioning while in the label business in 1988 when he was a discipline service engineer for Toshiba which concerned the on-web page fix of label printers during the south east of England. He then went on to handle the label printer repair service facility at Toshiba in Preston in 1992 and following three yrs there labored in a number of positions as label printer installation engineer then profits account manager for a worldwide label devices provider. As Managing Director of Northern Label Systems Limited Simon makes use of his many years of working experience in the label market in order that only the highest high quality items are marketed.
Northern Label Systems has long been constructed on the name for giving high-quality labels at the best possible rates. They provide label printers by Zebra Technologies, Citizen and Toshiba TEC, in addition to self-adhesive labels offered in numerous types of dimensions, colours and adhesive sorts to match all label devices and programs, making it easy to print your own labels!
Their products can create Address, Iron-On Nametags and Extras which involve Dispensers, Unwinders and Rewinders. These useful applications are built to make label processing far more successful.