What’s the Distinction Between Direct Thermal and Thermal Switch Labels?

Northern Label Methods, specialists in supplying top quality labels clarify the variations between Direct Thermal and Thermal Switch Labels.

Thermal Switch printing makes use of an ink ribbon to switch the printed picture from the heated printhead of the label printer onto the floor of the label whereas Direct Thermal printing transfers the picture instantly onto a warmth delicate materials.

There are benefits and drawbacks to each strategies. Direct Thermal label printing doesn’t require a label printer that makes use of an ink ribbon, subsequently making it a less expensive label printer. Nonetheless, the labels are usually barely costlier. This mentioned there isn’t a ink ribbon value, so the precise printed label value is remarkably comparable. Direct Thermal label printing additionally requires the label printer’s printhead to be in direct contact with the label itself. If you’re printing excessive volumes of labels you will discover that the printhead wears out faster than one used for Thermal Switch label printing. This needs to be a serious consideration if printing in quantity as printhead life will probably be diminished by between 24% and 51%. The price of a printhead varies however is often round 40% – 50% of the price of a small desktop label printer and 16% – 26% the price of a mid-range or industrial high quality label printer.

The printed label can even be completely different when it comes to high quality. Direct Thermal label printing is often solely used for labels that may have a brief shelf life similar to delivery labels, packaging labels and greatest earlier than dates. It is because the warmth resistant labels used usually fade in daylight over a couple of weeks or months relying on the extent of UV mild. Even when the labels are in an indoor workplace surroundings the label will usually begin to fade after 12-14 months.

Direct Thermal Labels with a ‘Topcoat’ can be found to make sure extra resistance to UV mild, although this implies a rise in label worth. Most Direct Thermal labels are the uncoated sort and are used for brief time period labelling options.

Thermal Switch label printing makes use of the identical methodology of printing for instance heated components heating up and cooling down in a short time on a thermal printhead. Nonetheless, with thermal switch label printing an ink ribbon is used to switch the printed picture onto normal paper labels or artificial labels. The result’s a printed label that won’t fade in daylight and can usually be readable for a few years. As a result of an ink ribbon is used this acts as a ‘buffer’ between the printhead and the label itself resulting in elevated printhead life.

Thermal Switch label printing can be utilized to print paper in addition to artificial sort labels together with polypropylene, polyethylene, vinyl and polyester in each matt and gloss.

The disadvantages of Thermal Switch label printing is that the label printer required is barely costlier. Nonetheless, Thermal Switch label printers can be utilized to print Direct Thermal labels too by merely eradicating the ink ribbon. Simply keep in mind although, as a result of you could use an ink ribbon to print there may be yet another factor to expire of!

Northern Label Methods was based in 2003 by Simon Brown who began working within the label trade in 1988 when he was a discipline service engineer for Toshiba which concerned the on-site restore of label printers within the south east of England. He then went on to handle the label printer restore facility at Toshiba in Preston in 1992 and after three years there labored in a number of positions as label printer set up engineer then gross sales account supervisor for a world label techniques supplier. As managing Director of Northern Label Methods Restricted Simon makes use of his a few years of expertise within the label trade to make sure that solely the very best high quality merchandise are bought.

Northern Label Methods has been constructed on a status for supplying top quality labels at the absolute best costs. They provide label printers by Zebra Applied sciences, Citizen and Toshiba TEC, in addition to self-adhesive labels accessible in all kinds of sizes, colors and adhesive varieties to go well with all label machines and purposes, making it easy to print your individual labels!

Their merchandise can create Deal with Labels, Iron-On Nametags and Equipment which embrace Dispensers, Unwinders and Rewinders. These helpful instruments are designed to make label processing extra environment friendly.