Thermal Barcode Printers

When deciding what kind of printer to use to create your own barcodes you must ask yourself three important questions:

• What is the barcode application my labels will be used for?
• What is the intended life span of my barcode labels?
• What type of environment will my barcode labels be exposed to?

 
Although there are many other questions, these three questions will give you an idea of ??whether or not you need a thermal printer. While it is possible to use common printers such as inkjet, dot matrix or laser to create your barcode labels, these types of printers have limitations that certain thermal barcode printers do not have. So if you know you need labels that require durability and can be used in a harsh environment,
barcodes printed on an inkjet printer may not be suitable. A more suitable printer for these types of conditions would be a direct thermal or thermal transfer printer. Both printers use thermal technology and are the most widely used technologies for barcode printing.Both types of printers are quite similar in that they use heated printheads to create the image, but they are used in different applications. What kind of printer would be best for you? Let's see….
 
Direct Thermal Printers

• Direct thermal printers use heat-sensitive labels that turn black as they pass under the print head; no tape required. These printers are easy to use and produce crisp barcode labels that are easy to scan. The barcode labels they produce are more suitable for environments where they are not exposed to sunlight, heat or abrasion for a long time. A direct thermal barcode label would be perfect for a short shelf life application such as B. Shipping. Some additional benefits include:
• Maintenance costs on direct thermal printers are low because there are no ribbons to replace, all you need are the labels you’ll be printing on.
• They provide durable and reliable use in office settings as well as industrial operations
• Less waste because barcode labels can be printed in batches or one at a time.

But remember, direct thermal printing has its limitations as well, labels are sensitive to the environment they’re in and remain chemically active after printing.  You need to be sure your application and environment is right for this type of printer.
 
Thermal Transfer Printers
Thermal transfer printers use a small ribbon roll that melts onto the label when heated by the print-head, and this creates the image.  This method produces a crisp barcode with a glossy finish. Thermal transfer labels are the most durable barcode labels available, they can withstand heat and moisture, abrasion, and they are long lasting.  Other benefits of thermal transfer printers include:
 

• Even with a small ribbon roll, maintenance costs are far less than an ink jet, laser, or dot matrix printer
• They enable batch or single label printing, reducing waste and saving money
• Thermal transfer printers can print on numerous kinds of stock
• In addition to durable and reliable labels, the printer itself can be used in office settings or industrial operations

As you can see, thermal transfer printers are much more suitable for applications that require a long-lasting label, or may be in a harsh environment.  Thermal transfer printers provide the best quality barcode labels of any other type of printer, but to ensure this kind of quality you must be positive that the ribbon and labels you decide to use are compatible.  If not, this can cause internal printer problems.

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