Thermal Transfer Printer Vs Direct Thermal

Direct thermal printers require the use of heat activated thermal papers and films but require no transfer ribbon.

Thermal transfer printer vs direct thermal.

There are two thermal printing methods. Print head life in direct thermal printing applications is significantly reduced when compared to thermal transfer printing applications. Direct thermal printing uses chemically treated heat sensitive media that blackens when it passes under the thermal printhead while thermal transfer printing uses a heated ribbon to produce durable long lasting images on a wide. Both the labels and the ribbon feed through the printer and the printer applies heat to the ribbon to transfer the wax and resin onto the label hence the term thermal transfer printer.

In simplest terms thermal transfer printing utilizes a thermal ribbon and direct thermal printing does not. The printer uses the ribbon similarly to the way an inkjet printer would use ink to print on paper but with heated wax and resin replacing the ink. Generally speaking a company should anticipate direct thermal print heads providing an expected lifetime of 25 50 of a thermal transfer print head. The print color is limited to black unless special preprinted direct thermal paper is utilized and the printing is not as crisp as that of thermal transfer ribbon printing.