The Process of Thermal Printing

 

Thermal printers offer convenience in printing labels, receipts and bar codes quickly and cost-effectively in a set location or on the move. A thermal printer is a type of printer that uses a heated thermal printhead rather than ink, pressed against a medium to produce black text or images.  The heated printhead either activates special chemically treated paper (called thermal paper) or transfers solid ink from a ribbon and bonds it to the paper, tape or ribbon, depending on the type of thermal printer. These printers are most commonly used in producing labels, receipts, barcodes, ID badges and many more applications across a vast number of industries.

 

Types of Thermal Printing

As mentioned, thermal printing consists of two categories - direct thermal and thermal transfer. Direct thermal printing uses a special heat-sensitive thermal paper, while thermal transfer printing uses a heat-sensitive ribbon and is generally the go-to option for extra durability. There are three types of thermal transfer inks - wax, wax-resin, and pure resin. Each comes with its own unique characteristics, and it’s worth being aware of the differences. Wax is long-lasting, but labels printed this way are not waterproof and are sensitive to oils, chemicals and abrasives. The second one is wax-resin, which is more durable than wax alone and is often used for more sharp and precise images. Finally, there’s pure resin which is the most durable of all. Pure resin is waterproof, sunlight resistant and offers greater protection against oils, making it suitable for chemical resistant labels.

The cost of maintenance for direct thermal printers is low compared to other types of printers due to the fact no ink or toner is required. Though there is one disadvantage for such printers that your printed items may be prone to fading over time since thermal paper is particularly sensitive to heat and light. Also, you cannot use multiple colors at the same time when using this type of thermal printer, as the printing material itself is what determines the color.

However, the key advantage of a thermal transfer printer compared to a direct thermal printer is that prints are less likely to fade over time, and you can print in multiple colors at once. As these printers use ribbons, which need to be replaced, long-term maintenance costs can be greater.

 

Uses of Thermal Printers

Thermal printers are used in a vast number of applications since they are energy-efficient, quick and can be used on the go. Here are some uses of thermal printers across different industries:

  • Logistics: Shipments, inventory management, packaging slips, return shipping labels.
  • Manufacturing:  Compliance labels, maintenance or parts management, quality assurance labels, progress tracking labels.
  • Healthcare: patient identification bands or labels, lab or pharmacy sample labels, asset management labels.
  • Retail and Hospitality: price tags, POS or mobile POS receipts, guest cards or passes, ID or badges.
  • Government: supply chain labels, emergency management, system administration labels.

 

Types of Thermal Printers by Model

Mobile Thermal Printers

Mobile thermal printers are handheld models that are portable and wireless. These mobile printers have easy-to-install software and are able to print a variety of labels or receipts on the move. A few of these are even waterproof or temperature resistant. 

Desktop Thermal Printers

Desktop printers are comparatively larger than their handheld counterparts but shouldn't take up too much space on a desk. These printers come with both wired or wireless connections and can handle a decent volume of label or receipt printing in a retail environment.

Industrial Thermal Printers

If your business requires printing at a high volume, industrial printers will get the job done. Typically larger in size, these printers can print 24/7 like those needed for logistics or manufacturing.

 

If you’re considering direct thermal labels for your organization or personal use, you should start by connecting with Label Arts, one of the pioneers in thermal printing. They can produce cost-efficient labels you can trust and can help you to select the model that is best suited for your business needs.

 

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