Thermal Transfer
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 PANDUIT PANTHER LS8 HAND HELD THERMAL TRANSFER PRINTER KIT 2 P1 LABEL CASSETTE  US $328.95
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The Difference Between Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer Label Printing
DIRECT THERMAL AND THERMAL TRANSFER LABEL PRINTING
Label printers usually print labels such as barcodes by using either direct thermal or thermal transfer technology. The common feature about both this methods is that there is heat involved in the printing process. Thermal transfer printing uses a heated ribbon to print on the material, while in direct thermal printing there is no ribbon involved and the printing is done directly onto the label material.
Label printers that use direct thermal printing involves low cost and easy maintenance, as it has no ink, toner and ribbon. Its application can be seen in tickets, shipping labels, receipts, wristband and so on. The minus point of this type of label printer is that it can only print on certain materials and the labels produced are not durable.
The lifespan of the labels can only stretch up to a maximum period of one year and if there is presence of humidity or exposure to sunlight the label will fade off even faster. This is not seen as a great disadvantage to label printers that use direct thermal printing because the labels that are printed by this type of printers are not intended for a lifetime identification or use. An obvious example of this would be receipts, as customers will usually throw the receipt away the moment they reach home.
As for label printers that use the thermal transfer printing approach the very fact that heated ribbon is used is to ensure the labels can endure for a longer period of time. This is vital as these label printers print labels such as barcodes, circuit board tracking, permanent identification, sample file tracking and asset tagging. This printer is high maintenance, as it requires consumable parts.
The choice is in the hands of the user to decide which type of printing method would suits his or her needs better as everything has its advantages and disadvantages.
About the Author
Cri Davies is marketing manager for Etiquette Labels - UK Independent Experts in Labels, Label Printing, and Label Printing Solutions. For more information visit the Etiquette Network
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Intermec Thermal Transfer 13634118 $1070.5 Intermec Thermal Transfer 13634118 |
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PRINTRONIX Thermal Transfer 251243001 $514.54 PRINTRONIX Thermal Transfer 251243001 |
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Fargo Thermal Transfer 44261 $13.35 Fargo Thermal Transfer 44261 |
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Intermec Thermal Transfer, Direct Thermal 1010043900 $268.79 Intermec Thermal Transfer, Direct Thermal 1010043900 |
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Intermec Printhead - Direct Thermal, Thermal Transfer 062682S001 $920.18 Intermec Printhead - Direct Thermal, Thermal Transfer 062682S001 |
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ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES Direct Thermal, Thermal Transfer G41400M $398 ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES Direct Thermal, Thermal Transfer G41400M |
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ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES Direct Thermal, Thermal Transfer G77171M $524.42 ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES Direct Thermal, Thermal Transfer G77171M |
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ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES Direct Thermal, Thermal Transfer 79801M $470.59 ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES Direct Thermal, Thermal Transfer 79801M |
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ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES Direct Thermal, Thermal Transfer G32433M $479.29 ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES Direct Thermal, Thermal Transfer G32433M |
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Brother Thermal Transfer, Direct Thermal - Green TZE741 $21.37 Brother Thermal Transfer, Direct Thermal - Green TZE741 |
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Zebra Technologies Direct Thermal Thermal Transfer G410001M $229.73 Zebra Technologies Direct Thermal Thermal Transfer G410001M |
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ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES Direct Thermal, Thermal Transfer G46500M $681.68 ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES Direct Thermal, Thermal Transfer G46500M |
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O'Neil Thermal Transfer - Thermal transfer upgrade option (coated side in) $91.99 Datamax O'Neil Thermal Transfer - Thermal transfer upgrade option (coated side in) |
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Panasonic / THERMAL TRANSFER FILM / UG-6001 $42.43 Panasonic - THERMAL TRANSFER FILM - UG-6001 |
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Intermec Thermal Transfer - Black 12064118 $286.97 Intermec Thermal Transfer - Black 12064118 |
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PRINTRONIX Thermal Transfer - 6 203485103 $177.5 PRINTRONIX Thermal Transfer - 6 203485103 |
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Printronix Printhead - Thermal Transfer 251239001 $834.63 Printronix Printhead - Thermal Transfer 251239001 |
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Intermec Thermal Transfer - Black 11064118 $181.04 Intermec Thermal Transfer - Black 11064118 |
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Wasp Barcode Thermal Transfer 633808431198 $21.75 Wasp Barcode Thermal Transfer 633808431198 |
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Brother Thermal Transfer - Red TZE451 $23.2 Brother Thermal Transfer - Red TZE451 |
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Brother Thermal Transfer - Red TZE421 $18.55 Brother Thermal Transfer - Red TZE421 |
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Intermec Thermal Transfer - Black 12022006 $97.92 Intermec Thermal Transfer - Black 12022006 |
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PRINTRONIX Thermal Transfer - 6 203713007 $274.63 PRINTRONIX Thermal Transfer - 6 203713007 |
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Datamax Corp. Thermal Transfer PHD20217701 $211.85 Datamax Corp. Thermal Transfer PHD20217701 |
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Thermal Transfer print ribbon $7.99 Wasp Thermal Transfer - Print ribbon - 2.4 in x 300 ft - for W 300 |
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Wasp Thermal Transfer Labels $35.99 1" 2" 2" Width x 1" Length 5500 Label 633808431020 Roll OD: 4" 4 Rolls per Pack 1375 Labels per Roll Wasp W300 Label Printer Barcode Label Thermal Transfer Thermal Transfer Labels Wasp Wasp Barcode Technologies www.waspbarcode.com |
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Brother Thermal Transfer Ribbon $76.99 400 Page Brother IntelliFax: PPF-900 950M 980M 1500M Film refill is designed for use in Brother PC-91 with Brother IntelliFax 900, 950M, 980M and 1500M. Yields 400 pages. Brother Brother Industries, Ltd No PC94RF Ribbon Thermal Transfer Thermal Transfer Ribbon www.brother-usa.com |
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Printronix 8500 Thermal Transfer Label Ribbon - Thermal Transfer, Direct Thermal - Black 203485003 $126.8 Printronix 8500 Thermal Transfer Label Ribbon - Thermal Transfer, Direct Thermal - Black 203485003 |
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Brother FAX-275 Thermal Transfer Fax Machine - Thermal Paper Fax - Monochrome Copier - Thermal Transfer FAX275 $112.12 Brother FAX-275 Thermal Transfer Fax Machine - Thermal Paper Fax - Monochrome Copier - Thermal Transfer FAX275 |
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Cognitive Thermal Transfer Labels $184.99 03-02-1660 3840 Label 4.25" 4.25" Width x 6" Length 6" Cognitive Blaster Label PrinterCognitive Del Sol Label PrinterCognitive Solus Label Printer Gap-Cut Separated Perforated 12 Rolls Per Case 320 Labels Per Roll Cognitive Cognitive Solutions, Inc Thermal Label Thermal Transfer Thermal Transfer Labels www.cognitive.com |
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Wasp Barcode Technologies / RIBBON THERMAL TRANSFER / 633808411022 $22.67 Wasp Barcode Technologies - RIBBON THERMAL TRANSFER - 633808411022 |
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Intermec / 4PK TOP-COATED THERMAL TRANSFER / E06176 $67.5 Intermec - 4PK TOP-COATED THERMAL TRANSFER - E06176 |
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Improvisation / PANASONIC THERMAL TRANSFER REPL FILM / KX-BP081 $56.97 Improvisation - PANASONIC THERMAL TRANSFER REPL FILM - KX-BP081 |
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Intermec / 4PK TOP-COATED THERMAL TRANSFER / E07516 $85.12 Intermec - 4PK TOP-COATED THERMAL TRANSFER - E07516 |
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Fargo Thermal Transfer - 350 Page - YMCKO 44229 $48.33 Fargo Thermal Transfer - 350 Page - YMCKO 44229 |
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ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES Thermal Transfer - 12 / Case 05586GS06407 $46.83 ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES Thermal Transfer - 12 / Case 05586GS06407 |
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ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES Thermal Transfer - Black - 24 02100BK10645 $353.36 ZEBRA TECHNOLOGIES Thermal Transfer - Black - 24 02100BK10645 |
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Wasp Barcode Thermal Transfer - Black 633808431174 $19.49 Wasp Barcode Thermal Transfer - Black 633808431174 |