Direct Thermal vs. Thermal Transfer Printing: What’s the Difference?

Article for Members

Both thermal transfer and direct thermal labels offer a variety of practical benefits and applications. Depending on your needs, one or both could be the best choice and prove to be a cost-effective investment.

What are the main differences between the two types of labels? And what primary purpose are they intended for? Are direct thermal labels and transfer labels interchangeable or are they intended for different applications?

Direct Thermal Printing

Direct thermal printing is a method of printing that uses a special medium instead of conventional labels or paper. Direct thermal printers use heat to heat the material. The leuco dye is applied to the surface. The leuco dye, which is completely invisible before being heated, is transformed to a different chemical structure when heat is applied. This creates the desired effect on the material’s surface.

What this means is that the printer itself does not contain or use any ink whatsoever, as the ‘ink’ is already on the label itself in an invisible form.

Direct Thermal Printing: The Advantages

Direct thermal printing has the greatest benefit of being cost-effective. The printers don’t need to be housed with ink or dye so they can be very compact and portable. Direct thermal printing can be much cheaper than comparable alternatives because consumables are not needed, other than labels.

It is also extremely fast and easy to print. Direct thermal printers can be used to print shipping labels, parking tickets, tickets on trains, and other applications. Direct thermal printing is the best option when on-the-spot printing needs are urgent, efficient, and reliable.

The only problem with thermal transfer printing is that the material containing the leuco dye may be damaged if it’s exposed to high temperatures or abrasions. A label printed using the direct thermal process may not last as long as one printed more conventionally.

Thermal Transfer Printing

Thermal transfer printing is a more conventional method of printing. Thermal transfer printers can work with many standard materials and are not limited to materials that have been treated with leuco-dye.

This is because ink/dye is stored within the printer. The heat is applied to a special printing strip that is housed in the device. It can be purchased in many different colours.

The Benefits Of Thermal Transfer Printing

When the results are more durable, thermal transfer printing is often the best option. The results of thermal printing are precise and more durable than direct thermal labelling.

This makes thermal transfer printing ideal for things like barcodes, safety labels and certification labels – anything that needs to display information clearly and concisely for a long time. Print labels are durable and can withstand heat exposure.
Thermal transfer printing can also be more economical than traditional printing methods (such laser printing or dot matrix print, etc.). The only problem with thermal transfer printing is the need for additional consumables to make the printer work.

Some thermal transfer printers are not as portable or compact than direct thermal printers. This is because they require a special ribbon to function.

This was posted in Bdaily’s Members’ News section
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iCONQUER Ltd
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