What is a thermal direct label?
Direct thermal labels are a cost-effective type of label made using a thermal print head to selectively heat specific areas of coated, thermo-chromatic paper. The paper runs over the thermal print head then turns black where it’s heated, producing a desired image.
What is the difference between thermal and direct thermal labels?
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.
How do you know if a label is direct thermal or thermal transfer?
Take the label and scratch it quickly with your fingernail as if you were lighting a match. It may take a couple of hard strikes. If a dark mark appears on the label, it is direct. If no dark marks are left on the label, it is thermal transfer.
Is thermal transfer better than direct thermal?
Direct thermal printers are great for short-term applications (less than six months), while thermal transfer printers are best suited for long-term applications (more than six months) or if the label will be exposed to extended outdoor use or other harsh conditions.
Do direct thermal labels fade?
Because it uses heat-sensitive materials, direct thermal labels do not have a long shelf-life, usually lasting around six to eight months. They have a tendency to scratch easily, and overexposure to direct sunlight or high temperatures will cause the print to fade faster.
How long will thermal print last?
Since thermal printers have few moving parts, less things break and they are easy to maintain. Thermal printer printheads last about 10 years on average.
How long does direct thermal last?
around six to eight months
Because it uses heat-sensitive materials, direct thermal labels do not have a long shelf-life, usually lasting around six to eight months. They have a tendency to scratch easily, and overexposure to direct sunlight or high temperatures will cause the print to fade faster.
Will a thermal printer fade?
Direct thermal prints, because they are created by heat on a heat-sensitive material, they can easily fade overtime when exposed to sunlight or heat. So, if you are looking for long-lasting prints that stay legible over a few years, then direct thermal is not going to be the right fit for your business.
How long do direct thermal labels last?
Will thermal printing fade?
Why are thermal printers so expensive?
Cost: The specialty materials used in the thermal printing process are considerably more expensive than their inkjet counterparts; even the most basic thermal printer may cost hundreds of dollars.
How long does a thermal printer last?