Thermal Transfer Printer Vs Direct Thermal

There are two thermal printing methods.

Thermal transfer printer vs direct thermal.

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

Print head life in direct thermal printing applications is significantly reduced when compared to thermal transfer printing applications. Generally speaking a company should anticipate direct thermal print heads providing an expected lifetime of 25 50 of a thermal transfer print head. 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. In simplest terms thermal transfer printing utilizes a thermal ribbon and direct thermal printing does not.