Thermal Transfer Printer Vs Direct Thermal

Each method uses a thermal printhead that applies heat to the surface being marked.

Thermal transfer printer vs direct thermal.

In simplest terms thermal transfer printing utilizes a thermal ribbon and direct thermal printing does not. 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. Generally speaking a company should anticipate direct thermal print heads providing an expected lifetime of 25 50 of a thermal transfer print head. Thermal transfer involves the thermal printhead elements dots heating the backside of a thermal transfer ribbon to melt and transfer the compounds on the front side of the ribbon to the label material thus creating the printed image.

Direct thermal and thermal transfer. Direct thermal printers require the use of heat activated thermal papers and films but require no transfer ribbon. Print head life in direct thermal printing applications is significantly reduced when compared to thermal transfer printing applications. 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.