Two thermal printing techniques are available: direct thermal and thermal transfer. The thermal print head is used by each process to apply heat to the specified surface. Direct thermal printing uses heat-sensitive chemically treated media to black down while moving under a heated print head, whereas thermal transfer impressions use a heated ribbon to create stable, durable images on a wide range of materials.

Direct Thermal (DT), Thermal Transfer (TT) are two separate types of barcode label printing technologies. Every type of printing is suitable for different applications.

DIRECT THERMAL PRINTING

Direct thermal printers are renowned for their simplicity because they print without a ribbon. Specific thermal labels typically have a long shelf life but are not well suited for heat, direct sunlight or abrasion conditions. There is no toner, ink or ribbon on direct thermal printers.

The coating will darken and make the text or barcode unreadable if the label is over-exposed to heat, light and other catalysts. Direct thermal printing for life-long identification applications is not used for these purposes. The readability of direct thermal labels, wristbands and receipt papers is substantially different according to the conditions of use, but the technology offers a sufficient lifetime in a variety of popular barcode printed applications.

Direct thermal labels are an economical label type created with the direct method of thermal printing. A thermal print head for the selective heating of different areas of thermo-chromatic (or hot) coated paper is used in this process. The paper passes through the thermal printhead, turns black and produces a desirable image. Direct two colors thermal printing, using two temperatures, can create both red and black images. No ink or toner or ribbons, only heat sensitive chemically treated materials are used in direct thermal labels.

THERMAL TRANSFER PRINTING

The smooth, often glossy printed surface is easily identifiable by thermal transfer printed labels. The transparency is achieved by the use of a thin film that melts on the label to render the image when heated by the printhead. The image is part of the mainstream, and the ink is absorbed. Thermal transference technology is not only impermeable to heat and humidity, if it is combined with appropriate paper, the image cannot be ripped off, so that the printed labels are the most durable. The continuity of the printed image is another advantage of this technology. Due to the fact that the ribbon and the resolution of the printer determines the color and density of the printed image, the thermal transfer prints provide a clear, accurate printing on each mark. This technique provides image quality and longevity, which other printing techniques on demand do not suit.

Assured support and solutions for any order

Argon Technology Corporation has all your direct requirements for thermal barcode printing with low prices and flat-rate shipment to the USA and Canada. We have direct thermal labels for desktop thermal barcode printers (1'core, 4 "and 5" OD rolls and fan-packed), industrial direct thermal labels (3 "core and 8" OD rolls and fan-folded label), and industrial direct thermal labels.