Next, run your fingernail or a pen cap quickly back and forth across the label. If not, it will be a thermal transfer label. Why do direct thermal labels turn black when you scratch them? The answer lies in the specially formulated paper stock used by direct thermal printers. This stock is coated with material that contains microscopic capsules of ink.
When exposed to heat, these capsules burst, creating an image on the label. Why do thermal transfer printers use ribbons? Like direct thermal, heat plays a part in thermal transfer printing; however the heat does not come into contact with the media.
Instead the hot printhead melts ink in the ribbon to create a sharp crisp image on the labels surface. Heating elements inside the printhead turn on and off forming graphics, text or barcodes.
Direct Thermal In a direct thermal system, the heat of the printhead causes a reaction on specially coated label paper, resulting in a a black image on the label. Thermal Transfer The thermal transfer printing process involves the use of a ribbon along with rolled or fan-folded labels. Advantage of using direct thermal labels is that the printing equipment is inexpensive and takes up very little space.
Direct thermal printers are also portable and do not require the purchase of ribbons. It is difficult to give a hard and fast rule for durability but 6 months is about the maximum. If you need legibility to last for 6 months or several years, you will need to use a thermal transfer system.
Legibility may be affected by the environmental conditions the label is subjected to. Factors that will reduce lifespan are u. High ambient temperatures allow for chemical reactions that will diminish durability. If the label is subjected to water then direct thermal technology will let you down. The only time a direct thermal label would be suitable outside is for a very short time such as a day or two. You will also experience problems with adhesives but that is another point dealt with later.
As a general rule, if your label is exposed to moisture, condensation or water then you will need to use a plasticised label. Labels made from polypropylene PP or polyester PE are waterproof but these materials can only reliably be printed on using a resin ribbon.
As explained in the thermal transfer article here , resin ribbons give the best performance but are also more expensive. Thermal transfer ribbons can give an excellent quality finish. The nature of the printing process and the super-thin ribbons does come with some issues. The ribbon is so thin that it can ripple and crease during the print process.
This can lead to creases in the printed output that shows as unmarked areas on the label. High-quality thermal transfer printers will have a range of features such as pressure and tension settings for the labels and the ribbons to minimise this problem.
Different manufacturers approach the problem differently too. Direct thermal printing generally gives a good even finish as the thermally activated pigments are printed onto the paper and this gives the material an even coating. Thermal transfer is typically the print method of choice. In fact, almost an infinite number of permutations in this cornucopia of thermal transfer options:.
Materials: Some TT products exhibit excellent resistance to water, smudging or tearing. Others withstand alcohol, methanol, oils and other chemicals. Some are suitable for food contact and are grease resistant. Other materials are engineered to conform to irregular shapes and tight diameters. Certain fragile materials are perfect for security applications due to their destructible features. Dazzling, huh? Topcoats: Made to refine your print quality, they can be easily added to the base material aka stock and come in gloss, semi-gloss, matte and frosted finishes as UV-screen, water-screen, solvent-screen, water-based, and solvent-based.
0コメント