What is a thermal transfer printer?

• 23.11.2022

What is a printer and what types are there?

Thanks to modern technology, we can easily transfer images and texts made on a computer to paper. This becomes possible due to the special device — printer.

Printers come in not only different models, but also functions. Some are designed to render ordinary texts or pictures and differ only in printing technology. Others are used to label goods in stores or warehouses. To do this, special labels are printed, which are then glued to the products. Next, we will analyze all types of printers.

If we talk about conventional devices for printing text or images on paper, we can distinguish the following types:

1. Laser.
2. Matrix.
3. Inkjet.
4. LED.
5. 3D printer.

When it comes to printing barcode labels, the following popular types can be distinguished:

1. Thermal printer.
2. Thermal transfer device.

Let's start with the thermal printer — what is it?

Thermal transfer printer — what is it?

Before you understand how a thermal printer works, you need to find out what this device is. This device is designed to print numbers, letters and barcode labels. Most often used for printing labels for products with a short shelf life. This is because such labels can retain their original appearance for up to six months. In addition, unlike thermal transfer, the sticker does not have the necessary protection from sunlight, moisture and mechanical stress.

To print on such a printer, a minimum of consumables is used, so you do not need to constantly buy ink, ribbons or cartridges. How does a thermal printer work? When the machine is connected to the mains, the printer head becomes hot, then touches the ribbon, leaving marks on the ribbon. Thus, thermal printing is carried out. But there are other technologies.

Now let's look at thermal transfer printing.

How a thermal transfer printer works

Thermal transfer printing technology is different from the principle of operation of a thermal printer. The same can be said about the devices themselves. This device differs from a thermal printer by the presence of — special roll with a layer of paint.

The operating principle of the thermal transfer device is as follows. When printed, the labels pass through the ribbon and platen roller. The thermal head melts the ink, which solidifies on the paper, and the image is obtained. It is recommended to work with a thermal transfer printer. The labels are of good quality and last longer. Such a printer is characterized by durability, because the head does not touch the media, and, accordingly, does not get dirty. Moreover, you can remove the ribbon and use conventional thermal printing. But there are also disadvantages of working with thermal transfer technology:

1. The need to frequently buy consumables, as well as the ribbon.
2. More expensive repairs.

We recommend printing labels with thermal transfer printers only in cases where you need to store the goods for a long time. This technology will protect the stickers from external influences. In other cases, you can use a conventional thermal printer. But before you print, you should figure out how to connect a barcode scanner to 1C.

In our store in Kyiv, you can choose the right device at an affordable price.

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