Northern Label Systems, specialists in supplying high-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 area of your label though Direct Thermal printing transfers the impression specifically onto a heat delicate substance.
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 Price tag is remarkably very similar. Direct Thermal label printing also needs the label printer’s printhead to 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 used for Thermal Transfer label printing. This could be a major thought if printing in quantity as printhead life will likely be lessened by among 24% and fifty one%. The cost of a printhead differs but will likely be close to forty% – fifty% of the cost of a little desktop label printer and sixteen% – 26% the cost of a mid-assortment or industrial high-quality label printer.
The printed label will even be unique when it comes to good quality. Direct Thermal label printing is usually only utilized for labels that could have a brief shelf life such as transport labels, packaging labels and ideal right before dates. This is because the heat resistant labels employed normally fade in daylight around a few weeks or months with regards to the standard of UV light-weight. Regardless if the labels are within an indoor office environment the label will usually start to fade right after 12-14 months.
Direct Thermal Labels having a ‘Topcoat’ can be found to make certain far more resistance to UV mild, even though This implies an increase in label cost. Most Direct Thermal labels will be the uncoated sort and therefore are used for short-term labelling methods.
Thermal Transfer label printing takes advantage of a similar technique of printing one example is heated things heating up and cooling down very quickly on a thermal printhead. However, with thermal transfer label printing an ink ribbon is utilized to transfer the printed picture onto conventional paper labels or artificial labels. The result is a printed label that won't fade in sunlight and may normally be readable for a few years. Because an ink ribbon is made use of this acts as being a ‘buffer’ concerning the printhead plus the label itself bringing about improved printhead life. Thermal Transfer label printing can be used to print paper together with synthetic style labels like polypropylene, polyethylene, here vinyl and polyester in each matt and gloss.
The cons of Thermal Transfer label printing is that the label printer demanded is marginally dearer. Even so, Thermal Transfer label printers can be employed to print Direct Thermal labels way too by just eliminating the ink ribbon. Just try to remember even though, as you could use an ink ribbon to print You can find one more issue to operate out of!
Northern Label Systems was Launched in 2003 by Simon Brown who started Functioning during the label business in 1988 when he was a discipline company engineer for Toshiba which involved the on-internet 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 set up engineer then revenue account manager for a worldwide label programs service provider. As Managing Director of Northern Label Systems Ltd Simon uses his many years of encounter inside the label sector in order that only the best quality products are sold.
Northern Label Systems continues to be developed on the popularity for supplying premium quality labels at the best possible costs. They supply label printers by Zebra Technologies, Citizen and Toshiba TEC, as well as self-adhesive labels available in numerous types of dimensions, colours and adhesive varieties to fit all label machines and purposes, rendering it effortless to print your own personal labels!
Their items can produce Address, Iron-On Nametags and Accessories which involve Dispensers, Unwinders and Rewinders. These practical instruments are intended to make label processing much more efficient.