For this reason, thermal transfer printing is great for asset tracking, laboratory specimens and blood bags, outdoor applications, permanent identification, and cold and freezer storage. Thermal transfer printing is ideal for long-term applications in which the printing media will be used for more than six months or will be exposed to harsh conditions such as chemicals, light, high temperatures or water.
This technique provides unmatched printing quality and durability.
Thermal transfer printers use ribbons made of wax or resin-based ink that melt onto the printing media (e.g., a label or similar) and create a long-lasting, high-quality image. And while direct thermal labels are slightly more expensive, you don’t have to spend money on ribbons. Usually, these printers have a lower purchase price and require less maintenance and repair attention than thermal transfer printers. With no ribbon needed to print, direct thermal printers are also easy to operate and have fewer components that can fail. In general, direct thermal is best for applications that require a label that needs to last less than six months, such as shipping labels, receipts, tickets, and labels for perishable goods.ĭue to their simpler, ribbon-free mechanics, direct thermal printers are more compact, and most mobile printers use direct thermal technology. By the same token, direct thermal printing still provides a sufficient lifetime for many applications.
In addition, direct thermal labels are sensitive to abrasions and exposure to water, chemicals, and strong sunlight.įor these reasons, direct thermal printing is not the best choice for long-term use. It does not use any ribbon, ink or toner, but it requires a special type of heat-sensitive material that blackens when heat is applied.īecause the label material is heat sensitive, it fades and the label can become hard to read and scan over time. A direct thermal printer prints by applying heat to the material.
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