Thermal Label printerhave the ability to print on card stock, self-adhesive labels and other
materials. The way they differ from regular printers is that they use
special feed mechanisms to handle the tear sheets or rolled stock.
Thermal Label printer have a tiny sensor that is able to detect notches,
perforations or lines between labels, notches or gaps, when using
continuous label stock to print on. This keeps the print location from
shifting and ensures that the print hits the target area by letting the
label printer adjust and align the print correctly. Some of the
applications where Thermal Label printer are used include retail price
marking, fixed assets management, supply chain management, laboratory
and blood specimens and shipping labels; and for all these applications
they are able to use many different label materials, such as synthetic
polymer materials and paper products.
There are two main label
printer types, and these are thermal transfer and direct thermal
printers. Thermal Label printer that are thermal transfer use heat to
transfer the ink onto the label from the ribbon for a permanent print.
They transfer images onto labels, using an ink ribbon, with the labels
normally having a matt finish. Direct thermal Thermal Label printer use
paper that is heat sensitive, with the printing lasting for up to twelve
months before fading starts. Exposure to chemical vapors or direct
sunlight often increases the speed of fading. This type of label
printing is best for short duration applications, such as printing
shipping labels. This type of label printer prints images right onto the
label using a thermal print head.
Thermal transfer printers use
three grades of ribbon, which are resin, wax and wax/resin. Resin ribbon
is chemical resistant, scratch resistant and suitable for synthetic,
coated labels. Wax, which is suitable and the most popular for
semi-gloss and matte paper labels, has some smudge resistance. The
resin/wax label printer ribbon is great for synthetic labels, semi-gloss
paper and is very smudge resistant.
Industrial Thermal Label
printer are used in factories, distribution centers, warehouses and
other places, where they need a heavy-duty printer for continuous
operation. Desktop Thermal Label printer are inexpensive and quiet, and
work well in businesses where they get light to medium usage. The
average roll of stock is less than five inches wide. For medium volume
printing, commercial Thermal Label printer hold rolls of stock up to
eight inches wide. Another specialized label printer is an RFID reader,
which encodes and prints simultaneously on tags or RFID transponders
enclosed in printable synthetic materials or paper. They design label
printer applications to automate the labeling processes and you
generally find them in warehouses and manufacturing facilities requiring
labels for pallets and cases.
This is just a simple introduction
to the different types of Thermal Label printer and their uses. If you
are thinking of acquiring one, we recommend that you search for them on
internet, where you will be able to get all the information you require
before making your choice.
Related Reading:
Bluetooth thermal receipt printer,
3" thermal receipt printer,
Thermal transfer label printer