Northern Label Systems, specialists 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 from your heated printhead in the label printer onto the surface of your label though Direct Thermal printing transfers the graphic specifically onto a heat delicate product.
There are actually positives and negatives to both of those procedures. Direct Thermal label printing isn't going to demand a label printer that utilizes an ink ribbon, therefore rendering it a cheaper label printer. Nevertheless, the labels are generally a little bit costlier. This stated there is no ink ribbon Charge, so the actual printed label cost is remarkably very similar. Direct Thermal label printing also calls for the label printer’s printhead to become in direct connection with the label itself. When you are printing substantial volumes of labels you'll find which the printhead wears out faster than a person utilized for Thermal Transfer label printing. This could be A significant thing to consider if printing in volume as printhead life is going to be decreased by involving 24% and 51%. The price of a printhead may differ but is normally all-around 40% – 50% of the expense of a little desktop label printer and 16% – 26% the price of a mid-vary or industrial top quality label printer.
The printed label will likely be various with regard to quality. Direct Thermal label printing is often only useful for labels that will have a short shelf life which include shipping labels, packaging labels and ideal before dates. It is because the heat resistant labels utilised frequently fade in daylight over several weeks or months depending upon the degree of UV mild. Regardless if the labels are in an indoor Workplace setting the label will frequently begin to fade right after 12-14 months.
Direct Thermal Labels by using a ‘Topcoat’ are offered to ensure much more resistance to UV mild, however This suggests a rise in label rate. Most Direct Thermal labels are the uncoated kind and are utilized for temporary labelling remedies.
Thermal Transfer label printing employs a similar technique of printing for example heated factors heating up and cooling down very quickly on a thermal printhead. Nevertheless, with thermal transfer label printing an ink ribbon is used to transfer the printed graphic on to typical paper labels or synthetic labels. The result is actually a printed label that will not fade in daylight and may commonly be readable for a few years. Since an ink ribbon is employed this acts to be a ‘buffer’ involving the printhead along with the label itself bringing about improved printhead life. Thermal Transfer label printing can be used to print paper and synthetic type labels which include 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 bit costlier. However, Thermal Transfer label printers may be used to print Direct Thermal labels too simply by removing the ink visit website ribbon. Just don't forget though, simply because you could 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 started out Performing within the label marketplace in 1988 when he was a area assistance engineer for Toshiba which associated the on-web site maintenance of label printers within the south east of England. He then went on to handle the label printer repair service facility at Toshiba in Preston in 1992 and after three several years there labored in quite a few positions as label printer installation engineer then product sales account manager for a worldwide label devices service provider. As Managing Director of Northern Label Systems Limited Simon makes use of his many 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 constructed on the popularity for providing good quality labels at the absolute best charges. They offer label printers by Zebra Technologies, Citizen and Toshiba TEC, and also self-adhesive labels offered in lots of sizes, colours and adhesive styles to accommodate all label equipment and apps, which makes it effortless to print your personal labels!
Their products can build Address, Iron-On Nametags and Extras which include things like Dispensers, Unwinders and Rewinders. These valuable equipment are made to make label processing more economical.