Thermal Printing

 What are Thermal Printed Labels?

Thermal printing is a type of printing process that uses heat, hence the “thermal” in its name. This technology is flexible, low maintenance, cost-effective, and creates durable, high-quality images. Thermal print technology can be found everywhere. Ever watched a receipt print at a grocery store? That’s thermal printing in action. This printing technique is applicable to a wide range of industries and can accommodate simple print runs, like price tags, to more complex operations, like nutrition facts labels, QR codes and barcodes, and more.

Thermal Transfer vs. Thermal Direct

When choosing a thermal printing method, you’ll want to determine the needs of your business, your application uses, and the cost of each option. Thermal direct printing can be more cost-effective because it doesn’t require ribbon stock or the technological capabilities necessary for ribbon functionality. It can also be more efficient because there is no time spent replacing the ribbon during print runs. However, its substrate options are limited to paper and polyester and you may end up replacing your print head more frequently than with thermal transfer due to increased friction during the printing process. Thermal direct printing can also be more vulnerable to environmental factors that may compromise the label design. For example, extended exposure to ultraviolet light can grey and deteriorate thermal direct printed materials. If your label doesn’t require a longer lifecycle or come into contact with abrasive elements, thermal direct can be a great option for its high resolution.

Thermal transfer printing allows you to work on more substrates than thermal direct and more colors due to its incorporation of a heat transfer ribbon rather than a heat activated substrate. The cost of thermal transfer may be higher up front, but it pays off if your printing needs are more versatile or you want to incorporate more intricate designs, multiple colors, or variable information. You also won’t replace the print head as frequently because of the wear and tear protection of the ribbon. Thermal transfer printing, like its counterpart, produces high resolution images and gives a bit more durability for applications where exposure or external stressors are involved in the label’s lifecycle. A large benefit of thermal transfer printing is its ability to be combined with other print technologies and highly diverse substrates. You can combine thermal printing with printed flexo or digitally produced label stock, as well as print on an exceedingly wide range of materials from paper to textiles.