Label Printer
Printing Technologies
There are three types of technology used for printing labels:
dot matrix, direct thermal and thermal transfer printing.
Dot matrix label printers use a matrix of pins which impact
on a ribbon to produce the printing on a label. Labels are typically
made from paper, polyester, or vinyl cloth. Dot matrix printers
typically cost less than other types of printers and use economical
supplies. Dot matrix printing works fine for applications which
do not require graphics with sharp edges or ultra-small text. Dot
matrix printing can also smear, so it is recommeneed to use self-laminating
labels for applications such as labeling wires and cables.
Dot matrix printing is no longer used for industrial quality label
printers. It has been replaced by thermal printing.
Direct Thermal Label Printers use a heated print head to
head a specialty treated paper and cause the image to appear on
the paper. You could think of the image as being "burned"
into the paper. A ribbon is not required. Cash registers commonly
use direct thermal printing technology. Printing is limited to black.
Direct thermal printers produce low cost labels because they do
not require ribbons. They are most frequently used used for short
term labeling (6 months or less) such as shipping labels and work-in-progress
labels because they will fade over time. Direct thermal labels should
not be used where they will be exposed to heat or sunlight, as this
will cause the printing to fade or the label paper to darken.
Thermal Transfer Label Printers use a heated print head
to cause the "ink" from a ribbon to be transfered to the
label material. They produce long-last, high quality labels with
crisp, sharp printing. Ribbons are available in a variety of colors
and labels can be printed using a variety of materials including
paper, polyester and vinyl tapes. Thermal transfer label printers
can also make labels for specilized applications such as cold storage
or low light applications, and labels can be made using specialty
materials such as static cling and magnetic backed labels.
Many thermal transfer label printers can also print direct thermal
labels, as the same type print head is used for both types of printing.
There are thermal transfer labeling materials for just about any
type of application. This is the most common type of industrial
label.
An example of a thermal transfer label printer is the DuraLabel
Pro 300 labeler.
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