

Direct thermal printers are simple to operate compared to most other print technologies because there is no ink, toner or ribbon to monitor or replenish.Shipping labels and receipts are ideal applications, for instance, while product labels are not. Direct thermal is ideal for applications requiring only a short shelf life - meaning the label image does not need to last very long.Direct thermal printing produces sharp, quality labels with good scannability.The readability of direct thermal labels, wristbands, and receipt papers varies greatly, depending on the usage conditions, but the technology provides ample lifespan for many common barcode printing applications including shipping labels, patient and visitor identification, receipts, and ticket printing. For these reasons, direct thermal printing is not used for lifetime identification applications. If the label is overexposed to heat, light, or other catalysts, the material will darken and make the text or barcode unreadable. Direct thermal printers have no ink, toner, or ribbon. Direct thermal printed labels typically have a considerable shelf life but are not well suited for environments that expose them to heat, long periods of direct sunlight, or abrasion. Direct Thermal Printingīecause they print without a ribbon, direct thermal printers are noted for their simplicity. Each technology can produce one- and two-dimensional barcode symbologies, graphics and text at the same print resolutions and speeds. Thermal transfer printers are engineered to print within tight tolerances and to produce the exact bar widths that successful barcode printing and scanning require.

Overall thermal label printers are ideal for barcode labels because they produce accurate, high-quality images with excellent edge definition. Direct thermal printing uses chemically treated, heat-sensitive media that blackens when it passes under the thermal printhead, while thermal transfer printing uses a heated ribbon to produce durable, long-lasting images on a wide variety of materials. Each method uses a thermal printhead that applies heat to the surface being marked. The print takes much longer to fade than thermal printers, and the printer will last you as long as you need it.There are two thermal printing methods: direct thermal and thermal transfer. In that case, the Epson TM-U220B (opens in new tab) two-color receipt printer is likely the right choice. Of course, you may be looking for smaller receipts for your restaurant or bookkeeping. (opens in new tab) With over 200 more characters per second than its competitors it's one of the fastest impact printers around. Amazon sale: Prime Early Access deals on laptops, PC, Xbox, and moreįor a speedier printer, you could look to the Epson FX-2190II.If you need a printer built to last, then OKI is the right choice. The OKI Microline 320 (opens in new tab) is still used by hundreds of companies and is lauded for its longevity and customer service team. When I used to deliver to shipping companies, they would have racks of impact printers spitting out carbon copies of manifests, because thermal printers can't do the job. View Deal (opens in new tab) Oldies but goodiesĭot-matrix printers are still an essential part of everyday life for a lot of companies.
