Northern Label Systems, specialists in supplying top quality labels describe the variations amongst Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer Labels.
Thermal Transfer printing takes advantage of an ink ribbon to transfer the printed graphic in the heated printhead in the label printer onto the surface in the label although Direct Thermal printing transfers the image straight onto a warmth delicate substance.
There are actually pros and cons to both techniques. Direct Thermal label printing does not require a label printer that employs an ink ribbon, as a result 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 cost is remarkably similar. Direct Thermal label printing also involves the label printer’s printhead to get in direct contact with the label alone. When you are printing significant volumes of labels you can find the printhead wears out quicker than a person employed for Thermal Transfer label printing. This should be An important consideration if printing in quantity as printhead life is going to be lowered by between 24% and fifty one%. The price of a printhead varies but will likely be all around forty% – 50% of the expense of a little desktop label printer and 16% – 26% the expense of a mid-selection or industrial high quality label printer.
The printed label will likely be diverse when it comes to quality. Direct Thermal label printing is usually only useful for labels that could have a short shelf life which include delivery labels, packaging labels and best before dates. It is because the heat resistant labels used frequently fade in daylight in excess of a couple of weeks or months based on the standard of UV light-weight. Even when the labels are in an indoor Place of work natural environment the label will typically begin to fade after 12-14 months.
Direct Thermal Labels using a ‘Topcoat’ can be obtained to ensure a lot more resistance to UV gentle, though This implies an increase in label selling price. Most Direct Thermal labels would be the uncoated sort and they are useful for short-term labelling options.
Thermal Transfer label printing takes advantage of exactly the same way of printing one example is heated things heating up and cooling down in a short time on a thermal printhead. However, with thermal transfer label printing an ink ribbon is used to transfer the printed image onto standard paper labels or artificial labels. The end more info result is really a printed label that will not fade in sunlight and can typically be readable for many years. Because an ink ribbon is used this functions being a ‘buffer’ among the printhead as well as label alone resulting in elevated printhead life. Thermal Transfer label printing can be used to print paper together with synthetic type labels together with polypropylene, polyethylene, vinyl and polyester in both equally matt and gloss.
The shortcomings of Thermal Transfer label printing would be that the label printer necessary is slightly dearer. On the other hand, Thermal Transfer label printers can be utilized to print Direct Thermal labels too by just taking away the ink ribbon. Just don't forget even though, as you may perhaps use an ink ribbon to print There exists one more matter to run away from!
Northern Label Systems was founded in 2003 by Simon Brown who started Performing inside the label field in 1988 when he was a discipline company engineer for Toshiba which concerned the on-web-site fix of label printers in the south east of England. He then went on to handle the label printer maintenance facility at Toshiba in Preston in 1992 and right after a few many years there worked in various positions as label printer installation engineer then income account manager for a worldwide label devices supplier. As Managing Director of Northern Label Systems Ltd Simon takes advantage of his many years of knowledge in the label sector to make sure that only the best quality goods are offered.
Northern Label Systems has actually been crafted on a popularity for providing superior quality labels at the very best charges. They offer label printers by Zebra Systems, Citizen and Toshiba TEC, as well as self-adhesive labels accessible in a wide variety of sizes, colours and adhesive types to suit all label machines and applications, making it easy to print your personal labels!
Their goods can produce Address, Iron-On Nametags and Add-ons which consist of Dispensers, Unwinders and Rewinders. These helpful resources are intended to make label processing far more productive.