Northern Label Systems, experts in providing premium quality labels make clear the variations involving Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer Labels.
Thermal Transfer printing takes advantage of an ink ribbon to transfer the printed graphic from the heated printhead of the label printer on to the surface area on the label even though Direct Thermal printing transfers the picture immediately onto a warmth delicate content.
You'll find benefits and drawbacks to the two techniques. Direct Thermal label printing won't demand a label printer that makes use of an ink ribbon, consequently rendering it a cheaper label printer. Nonetheless, the labels are usually a little bit costlier. This stated there isn't any ink ribbon Price tag, so the actual printed label cost is remarkably identical. 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 major thought if printing in quantity as printhead life is going to be reduced by amongst 24% and fifty one%. The cost of a printhead differs but is usually all around forty% – 50% of the price of a little desktop label printer and sixteen% – 26% the cost of a mid-selection or industrial quality label printer.
The printed label may even be distinctive with regards to excellent. Direct Thermal label printing is generally only utilized for labels that will likely have a brief shelf life like transport labels, packaging labels and finest before dates. It is because the heat resistant labels utilised frequently fade in daylight over a couple of weeks or months dependant upon the volume of UV light. Even when the labels are in an indoor Workplace surroundings the label will normally start to fade soon after twelve-14 months.
Direct Thermal Labels by using a ‘Topcoat’ can be obtained to guarantee additional resistance to UV gentle, while What this means is a rise in label price tag. Most Direct Thermal labels are classified as the uncoated variety and so are utilized for short term labelling options.
Thermal Transfer label printing utilizes precisely the same way of printing as an example heated factors heating up and cooling down very quickly with a thermal printhead. On the other hand, with thermal transfer label printing an ink ribbon is accustomed to transfer the printed image on to common paper labels or synthetic labels. The end result is often a printed label that will not fade in sunlight and may typically be readable for many years. For the reason that an ink ribbon is applied this acts as a ‘buffer’ concerning the printhead plus the label itself bringing about greater printhead life. Thermal Transfer label printing can be utilized to print paper as well as artificial kind labels together with polypropylene, polyethylene, vinyl and polyester in equally matt and gloss.
The drawbacks of Thermal Transfer label printing would be that the label printer necessary is somewhat dearer. Nonetheless, Thermal Transfer label printers can be employed to print Direct Thermal labels way too by simply taking away the ink ribbon. Just bear in mind nevertheless, since you may perhaps use an ink ribbon to print There is certainly yet one more point to operate out of!
Northern Label Systems was Established in 2003 by Simon Brown who started off working while in the label business in 1988 when he was a subject services engineer for Toshiba which included the on-website repair service of label printers in the south east of England. He then went on to control the label printer maintenance facility at Toshiba read more in Preston in 1992 and right after 3 decades there labored in a number of positions as label printer installation engineer then profits account supervisor for a world label methods supplier. As Managing Director of Northern Label Systems Ltd Simon takes advantage of his a few years of encounter while in the label marketplace to ensure that only the highest top quality solutions are marketed.
Northern Label Systems has long been built on a reputation for supplying premium quality labels at the absolute best charges. They provide label printers by Zebra Technologies, Citizen and Toshiba TEC, along with self-adhesive labels obtainable in lots of sizes, colours and adhesive types to suit all label equipment and purposes, rendering it easy to print your individual labels!
Their solutions can build Address, Iron-On Nametags and Extras which involve Dispensers, Unwinders and Rewinders. These handy instruments are intended to make label processing additional productive.