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Diagram depicting Thermal Transfer Printing Process: thermal printhead heating up ribbon roll and melting ink on the media base

Thermal transfer printing is printing that is performed by what is called a ribbon roll. The ribbon roll is heated up by the printhead which then melts it on to the label to form the desired text or image. A label that was created through a thermal transfer process will typically have a glossy printed surface.

Thermal transfer prints are much more durable than direct thermal prints. This is because when the ribbon roll melts on to the label the ink is absorbing into the material making it much more resistant to heat or moisture when compared to a direct thermal printed label. This method also provides better consistency and image quality as each image is coming from the ribbon consistently.

For best results the ribbon and media substrate must be compatible before printing otherwise the ribbon will melt incorrectly and cause problems.

Our thermal transfer blank label offerings are not size limited. We can fulfill an order of any specific size as long as it is in our die library. We also resell thermal transfer ribbons.

Common Thermal Transfer Print Applications

  • Product identification
  • Circuit board tracking
  • Sample and file tracking
  • Permanent identification
  • Inventory identification
  • Asset tagging
  • Certification labels
  • Cold storage and freezers
  • Laboratory specimens
  • Outdoor applications

ADVANTAGES

  • High definition print quality
  • Long image shelf life and stability
  • Batch printing with no waste
  • Single printing with no waste
  • Low long-term maintenance
  • Can print on nearly any kind of stock