Choosing the right printer for your label printing needs can be confusing. There are so many different types of printers, and it is easy to get lost in all of the options! Thermal label printers are commonly used to print industrial and shipping labels, and there are two distinct types: direct thermal and thermal transfer. Let's take a look so you can make a more informed decision on which one is right for your business.

What is Thermal Printing Technology?

Thermal printing technology uses heat and does not require ink or toner. The print head on a thermal printer moves back and forth rapidly over the label to generate text, numbers, barcodes, or images.

Direct thermal printing takes advantage of heat directly created by electricity being passed through a resistor coil within the printer. Direct thermal printers are inexpensive, fast, and reliable; however, they require special heat-sensitive paper to produce the printed labels (Direct Thermal Labels).

Thermal transfer printing technology uses a ribbon with wax or resin on it which melts as the print head passes over it to create text, numbers, barcodes, or images. The images are transferred from the ribbon onto the thermal transfer printable label material (Thermal Transfer Labels).

Pros and Cons of Direct Thermal Printers

Direct thermal printersare inexpensive, fast, reliable, and can print on a variety of direct thermal label materials. Additionally, direct thermal printers do not require ink, toner, or ribbons, so they are also environmentally friendly and easy on the budget.

On the downside, direct thermal labels are prone to fading over time depending on environmental factors like exposure to heat or UV light. As a result, direct thermal label printers are best used for applications like shipping labels, event tickets, transportation tickets, baggage claim tags, and other short-term applications.

In addition, direct thermal printers produce black prints, so if you need color, your only option is to choose “flood-coated” color label stock.

Pros and Cons of Thermal Transfer Printers

Thermal transfer printers are usually a little more expensive than their direct thermal counterparts, but they produce longer-lasting and more durable images that can stand up to heat or abrasions better than direct thermal printing technology. When using a resin ribbon and polypropylene film labels, thermal transfer labels can produce some of the most durable labels out there -- BS5609 chemical labels.

Additionally, the print quality on thermal transfer printers is superior to direct thermal printers. They can print on a variety of materials rather than just direct thermal paper, which makes them ideal for barcode labels, asset labels, inventory management, and even chemical labels.

However, thermal transfer label printers do require the use of ribbons to produce images. Depending on the printer used and the quality of labels printed, thermal transfer printers can be a little more expensive than direct thermal printers in terms of upfront and operational costs.

While color ribbons are available for thermal transfer label printers, like direct thermal printers, thermal transfer label printers rely on the ribbon for their colors. Thus, most print black text and barcodes, or if equipped with a color ribbon, will print whatever color that ribbon happens to be.

Which Thermal Label Printer Type is Right For Your Business?

While each technology has its own advantages and drawbacks, the choice ultimately comes down to what kind of applications you will be printing on your labels and how long they need to last. If you will only be using your labels for short-term applications like shipping labels, direct thermal label printers are a great option.

If you need long-term durability, high print quality, and the ability to use special materials like chemical labels, then thermal transfer label printing technology is probably right for your business.

Argon Technology has a large selection of thermal label printers from the leading brands on hand as well as blank thermal labels, thermal transfer ribbons, and other supplies. We encourage you to check out the different models and reach out to us so we can help find the best solution for your company.