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The word “transfer” itself should already suggest how this technique works. The operating principle of a thermal transfer printer is based on the fact that ink is applied to the printing surface from the surface of a tape that has thermal properties, and the ink is transferred by heating this tape. Thus, printing is done on thermal printers.

Applications of Thermal Transfer Printers

As a rule, thermal transfer printers are used in such areas of printing as printing barcodes or other information that is meant to be alphanumeric. The fact is that other printing methods, where you simply apply ink to the printed surface, tend to rub off and simply become less clear and fade over time.

In contrast to these methods, printing on a thermal transfer printer is more dense in color clarity and durable, which is important when printing barcodes and other information, which is usually used for a fairly long period of time. Thermal transfer printing is also relevant in cases where it is necessary to print labels, tags and inscriptions on container containers with chemical reagents, substances and acids, where simple printed labels are simply not suitable due to their properties. In addition, not all types of plastics can withstand the effects of a laser-type marker.

Characteristics of thermal transfer printers

Those printing using the thermal transfer method have differences in such parameters as the width of the printing surface. Today, their choice has become more complete, in contrast to earlier models, when the number of printing parameters was more meager.

So today the most common and most relevant are print sizes that correspond to dimensions such as four inches, or if converted to millimeters, then about one hundred and two millimeters wide. And further in increase, namely the width is six and eight inches, which corresponds to one hundred and fifty-two and two hundred and four millimeters.

The actual printing process on a thermal transfer printer occurs as follows. All action is carried out through the head, which performs the printing function. This item The thermal transfer printer produces a descending action on the printing surface, important point here is that between the printing surface and the head itself, there is a tape on which there is a layer of ink, under the action of thermal waves that are released by the print head and the ink is transferred to the printed surface.

That is, the action is approximately similar to how they used to transfer pictures onto textiles using an iron. The printing process itself occurs almost instantly, while the ink element tends to dry right away, so the whole process happens quickly and the finished printed product can be used immediately, without the fear that the print will be smudged or erased.

Criteria for choosing a thermal transfer printer

Today, thermal transfer printers have gone through many improvements and modifications in order to have higher print speeds and different print sizes. The main sizes today are considered to be two hundred and three hundred pixels. However, there are also types of printers based on thermal printing, such as printing at six hundred pixels; as a rule, this is not a frequently used size, and it is used for printing very small products.

For example, barcodes for digital and mobile products. It is important that in almost any model of this device there is a function that allows you to leave the printed layout in the memory of this equipment, thus, there is no need to program the printer each time.

When choosing this printing device, the necessary parameters that you should pay attention to are width, size, and print speed. And accordingly, the country is the manufacturer of the thermal transfer printer.

What is a thermal printer?

Thermal printers are widespread devices that are most often used in the retail industry. What are they and what are they useful features can they offer?

Special equipment is used to print labels, receipts and various documents in the modern trade industry. These units include thermal printers - special devices that help label goods and produce various papers containing the necessary information. The printing process involves heating thermal paper to the required level

About types of printers

Printers common in modern trade are equipped with special software, which makes it possible to pre-develop a label layout where various graphic information can be placed, for example, a logo or other image.

Thermal printers are divided into several types. Each of them has its own tasks and capabilities. There are desktop-class devices that print quite slowly and cannot be used in mass production, but are ideal for working with small runs.

The printer class is selected depending on how many labels, receipts, etc. will be printed. If the number of such securities is not very small, but also does not grow to the scale serial production, office models are used.

Such thermal printers, which are reasonably priced, can print up to four thousand labels per day. There are also semi-industrial and industrial versions that allow you to produce documents on a large scale

About print types

There are two different methods: thermal transfer printing and direct. The latter type involves the use of heat-sensitive paper, the image on which is applied using a thermal head. A label produced by this method is a short-lived material that is easy to destroy, so it is used only in cases where it is necessary to label goods that are not subject to significant temperature changes. The advantage of this method is its cost-effectiveness.

IN Lately More and more printing methods are emerging. Each of them can only be implemented using special equipment. One of the most popular devices is the thermal transfer printer. What makes this equipment unique? What should you pay attention to when purchasing such a printer?

Features of Thermal Transfer Label Printer

Printing a wide variety of labels, which are characterized by increased wear resistance and a long service life, is the main purpose of a thermal transfer printer. IN in this case The base can be ribbon (special tape), thermal cardboard, fabric, metal or plastic coating. If all production details are strictly observed when creating a label, then the finished product will last about 3 years. It will also be distinguished by its solid resistance to external negative influences, for example, to ultraviolet radiation or moisture.

The printer of this modification allows you to apply on the label:

• logo;
• barcode;
• letters and numbers;
• product designations;
• graphic elements and much more.

To be able to use this device, special consumables are required. First of all, you can’t do without (polymer ink ribbons), thermal labels, and tags.

To make using a thermal transfer printer easier, you should buy and use some additional accessories:

• label cutting device;
• winders and unwinders operating in automatic mode;
• tape separators.

The operating principle of a thermal transfer printer: differences from a thermal transfer printer

This printer has many design features. All of them are determined by the specifics of the printing technology used. Using a heated thermal head and a pressure roller, a coloring element located on the surface of a special tape is applied. It is worth noting here that this equipment allows you to paint various coatings - from cardboard to textiles. It can even be used for direct thermal printing.

The main advantages of products manufactured today include the following:

1. very high quality prints;
2. solid performance;
3. a large number of auxiliary options.

How to choose a thermal transfer printer

The choice of a thermal transfer printer should be approached with all responsibility. Only in this case will it be possible to get a decent seal. Here it is worth basing on the following characteristics.

• Type of equipment. Industrial products are recommended for large-scale production runs. Desktop or mobile device - great option for private use. “Ticket” models are best suited for cinemas, parks and other similar places.
• Method of creating a seal. You should take into account both the speed of the image transfer process and its width. Also great importance have the dimensions of the finished product. For processing miniature workpieces, settings with a detail level of at least 600 pixels are recommended.
• Functional. It is very good when such a printer records information in memory. This eliminates the need to constantly create layouts, which saves a lot of time.
• Manufacturer popularity and price. Of course, a device created by a famous company will cost a large amount, rather than a product from a little-known company. But in this case, the higher the price, the more reliable the printer.

A modern thermal transfer printer is very easy to use. The whole process comes down to performing the following simple steps.

1. Definition appearance labels (shape and dimensions).
2. Creating a layout. Simple ones are used Windows applications and professional graphic editor. Special programs for design development can also be used.
3. Connecting the printer to a personal computer. This manipulation can be implemented via WiFi, RS 232 interface, IR port, USB.
4. Directly create prints through the “Print” section in the “File” menu.

Make a choice in favor of a thermal transfer printer, choose such equipment correctly and use it to complete all your intended tasks quickly and efficiently!

Modern trade represents a large system in which high-tech equipment must be present. They produce to help businesses miscellaneous equipment. Thermal transfer printer allows different characteristics.

Description

Thermal transfer printer is a convenient marking equipment used for applying images to surfaces. The main task of the device is to print labels with excellent wear resistance. The surface to be decorated can be fabric, metal, plastic, cardboard or ribbon (ribbon for thermal transfer printers).

If all technological conditions are met, the image, even due to negative factors, will last up to 3 years. The technology is used to apply barcodes to goods, as well as logos and cargo markings. Consumable materials include thermal and roll labels, ribbons, and tags. Printing is carried out due to the influence of plate temperature and heat press pressure, and holding time.

Purpose

The equipment is used to apply to the surface:

• barcodes;
• logos;
• digital and alphabetic information;
• product designations;
• graphic details.

To make the equipment convenient to use, it is advisable to buy additional accessories for it: automatic winders and unwinders, tape separators, label cutters.

Equipment advantages

Thermal transfer printers have the following advantages:

• allow you to create fine details and lines;
• the use of materials that cannot be used with the stencil method - burlap, linen, canvas, mesh fabrics;
• convenient application on surfaces with convex elements;
• clear image with color preservation;
• resistance to washing;
• speed of application.

Choice

Thermal transfer printer can be different types. To purchase the right equipment, you need to rely on some characteristics:

1. Print type. If large-scale serial printing will be carried out, then it is advisable to purchase industrial equipment. For personal use, you can choose a mobile or desktop device. There are modified models used in cinemas, parks, attractions and festivals.
2. Printing method and characteristics. You need to select equipment based on the size of the finished products (standard options have a resolution of 200-300 pixels, detailed ones - 600). It is important to consider the width and speed of image transfer.
3. Functionality. If there is an option to save information, you can save a lot of time on making layouts.
4. Cost and manufacturer. Well-known companies usually create high-quality products. Although the cost for them will be rather high, you should not save on this.

Printing process

The device operates according to an optimized principle. To obtain ready product, you must perform the following steps:

1. Making a visual version of the label (shape and parameters).
2. Creating a layout using Windows programs or label designers.
3. Connecting the device to a PC using a USB cable or infrared port.
4. In the "File" section, select the "Print" tab.

This is how the printing process works. It is enough to do it once, and then everything will be much easier later.

Paper

There are 3 types:

• with artificial resin;
• with wax;
• with a mixture of components.

Ribbons differ in composition and size, as well as the placement of the paint layer. With proper care, the printer will perform all its tasks. You just need to configure it correctly and operate it according to the instructions.

Industrial equipment

The thermal transfer printer for industrial use produces up to 100 thousand labels and stickers per day. The equipment operates at a speed of 300 mm/s. Features of the devices include the possibility of high-quality printing with a resolution of up to 600 pixels.

Since the conditions under which equipment is kept differ, industrial devices are equipped with metal casings. And thermal transfer printers for labels are lined with plastic. Additional devices can be installed on this equipment: internal label separators, winders, cutters for the material used.

You can connect external devices to industrial devices: scanners for quality control of barcode printing, keyboards, additional memory And network cards. The printer can perform offline printing.

Manufacturers

In the assortment you can find devices from various companies. Among Russian manufacturers The following printers are especially in demand:

1. Zebra.
2. Datamax.
3. Toshiba.
4. Godex.
5. Intermec.
6. Argox.

Zebra 110XiIIIPlus

The Zebra thermal transfer printer is one of the most popular among similar equipment. The device allows you to obtain high-quality barcode printing that is resistant to various conditions. The equipment can print images with different resolutions: 200, 300, 600 pixels. The device is in demand among companies that need stickers starting from 100 thousand pieces per day.

Toshiba TEC B-SX6T

The industrial device has the following advantages:

• function of equipping with flat and angular thermal heads;
• excellent printing speed;
• Ribbon saving function.

Where thermal transfer printing is not required, the ribbon feed is stopped by automatically lifting the print head. This allows you to save tape by using material with a printed image.

Each device has its own characteristics. Many other types of equipment are produced. If you need a printer to develop your business, then you should choose a professional, high-quality device.

Thermal printer is an integral part of the equipment of many modern retail outlets. The device is used for printing labels. Its work is based on thermal transfer technology. The device operates as follows: paints located on the surface of a special ink ribbon are transferred to paper or other material through thermal radiation from a thermal head.

The main areas of concern for thermal printers

The devices are widely used not only in trade, but also in the industrial sphere. They are used to implement the following tasks:

• creation of tags on plastic, polymer labels, as well as stickers intended for containers with hazardous reagents and substances;
• production of barcodes and product inserts.

Design features of modern thermal printers

Today, many domestic and foreign companies are engaged in the production of this equipment. Most of them adhere to uniformity, making thermal heads of standard sizes. The most popular dimensions are four, six and eight inches. Having made the decision: I will buy a thermal printer, you need to rely on your own needs point of sale or production workshop.

To understand what other components are in this printing device, you need to take a closer look at the principle of its operation. A thermal head of certain dimensions is lowered using a mechanism onto a tape made of paper or polymer material. The latter is pulled through a support shaft with a rubberized base. In the middle between the base and the head there is a ribbon with a coloring agent applied on one side. The material is presented in the form of the thinnest polymer film. There are three types of ribbons: with polymer, wax and combined dyes.

The thermal head transmits point pulses, spending a fraction of a second on the entire process. Thanks to this, the printers of this sample work quite quickly. The inks dry instantly, which prevents poor-quality printing. Given the efficiency and versatility of thermal printers, manufacturers are not stopping there. Devices are regularly improved and modernized, increasing power, memory, speed and other indicators. Each model has own language programming. This ensures the safety of the label layout in the device memory.