A Glance at Thermal Printers
A thermal printer is a type of printer that uses heat on a
special thermal paper or ribbon to general crisp images and legible text.
Unlike traditional inkjet
or laser printers, thermal printers do not use ink or toner cartridges. This
unique approach to printing has several advantages, including faster printing
speed and cost-effectiveness.
The Working Principle of Thermal Printers
The working principle behind the thermal printer isn't
rocket science; it involves the application of heat to produce images or texts
on heat-sensitive paper or thermal ribbon. There are two primary thermal
printing methods:
1. Direct Thermal Printing
Direct thermal printing is as straightforward as they come. It involves coating thermal paper with heat-sensitive chemicals. In this process, heat is applied to the paper through the printer's thermal print head, which activates the coating and darkens the affected areas. At the end of the process, the desired image or text forms on the paper.
Direct thermal printers are preferably used for short-term
applications and printing needs due to their short lifespan. On the upside,
they are easy to use, cost-effective and require minimal maintenance. It is
important to note that the printed output is vulnerable to smudging and fading
(over time) when subjected to excessive heat, direct sunlight and other extreme
environmental conditions.
2. Thermal Transfer Printing
Contrariwise, thermal transfer printing features a more
complex process that uses a thermal ribbon rather than direct thermal paper.
The thermal ribbon is a distinct material with ink on one side and a protective
coating on the other. During the printing process, the ribbon is subjected to
heat from the thermal print head. It transfers the ink onto the printing
surface, such as thermal transfer labels featured on CDM Labels, paper or other materials.
Unlike direct thermal printers, thermal transfer printers
are employed for applications that require durable printed output, such as
barcodes, product labels and industrial tags. Also, thermal transfer products
are more resistant to environmental factors such as heat, light and moisture.
The Supremacy of Thermal Printers
1. Speed ” thermal printers are a first-rate choice primarily
for their remarkable printing speeds. Because they do not operate sophisticated
mechanical processes like conventional printers, they produce printing output
at breakneck speed. Thus, they are suitable for high-volume printing
requirements such as receipts at a busy retail store or shipping labels for a
manufacturing company.
2. Cost-effectiveness ” the absence of ink or toner
cartridges means no replacement or repair costs. As such, thermal printers have
lower operating costs. This makes them the go-to choice for businesses with
substantial printing needs.
3. Low-maintenance ” since they have fewer mechanical
configurations and zero ink-related components, thermal printers generally
require minimal maintenance to function optimally. This helps to reduce
downtime and associated costs.
4. Portable and Quiet ” if you are short on space, thermal
printers might be your best bet. They are compact and won't take up space.
Plus, they are whisper-quiet, creating a pleasant and distraction-free working
environment.
