Barcode printing labels are certainly one of the most important and sought-after supplies used for asset management and tracking in construction, retail, healthcare, education, beauty and many other industries. But the truth is that nowadays you can choose from a selection of such labels, which makes it a bit difficult for some of you to choose the right one. If you are in need to buy barcode labels for your business, you should know that they differ in printer compatibility, label type and durability, adhesion and more. Generally, you can choose between thermal and direct thermal barcode labels, and if new to this, make sure to go over them and pick the one that best meets your needs.
What Are Direct Thermal Labels?
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| source: labelszoo.com |
When considering to buy barcode labels that increase the quality of the printed label, then you should certainly take into account these direct thermal labels. They are printed by direct thermal printers that use heat-sensitive paper and a heated print head to directly transfer the needed content/design. As the name suggests, these barcode labels allow for direct printing, which reduces the need for any additional ink, toner or ribbon since the pattern is designed to be printed on chemically treated paper with the help of heat. Generally speaking, the overall cost for these labels is pretty affordable, which makes them a common choice, however, what you should know about this way of printing is the fact that they are less durable in comparison to the other type. That's because the label material is heat sensitive, which means its durability and life are short. These labels allow for being printed in black or a maximum of two other colours, and despite their short life, they are a common choice because of their compact size and space-saving property.
What Are Thermal Labels?
These labels use heat to print the needed pattern, and when compared to some other types of printers and labels, these ones seem to be more reliable, faster and more affordable. Printing on them is considered quite fast, and the quality seems to be quite good. Practice shows that the costs of printing on such labels are quite affordable. Unlike the direct ones, these are designed for longer-term applications. They also seem more resistant to smudging, scratching, moisture and temperature change.
What's the Difference?
Now, even though both of these labels use heat to produce patterns, it's more than obvious that they are different. Even though both of them have a high resolution, the first and biggest difference between them is the printing durability, quality and costs. Additionally, thermal labels seem to be better for long-term applications, while the direct ones have a shorter shelf life. So the one you choose can literally depend on your needs.
Use of Ribbons
While direct thermal printers don't need a ribbon, the thermal ones require to use of a ribbon, which makes them more complicated and hence more expensive. Additionally, the used ribbon should be compatible with the printer, otherwise, the heat can melt the ribbon onto the label, causing many problems. They are also much easier to operate than the thermal ones, which is just another significant difference. Given the fact that they have no supplies to be replaced, investing in them is more affordable in the long run.
Eco-Friendliness
The direct thermal labels also seem to be more environmentally friendly because they use recycled labels, while the thermal ones aren't a candidate for recycling, which makes them bad for the environment. As already mentioned, the direct ones are more susceptible to fading while the thermal ones have a longer lifespan.
Use
The direct printing labels are mainly used as price tags, receipts, shipping labels and some other applications that aren't affected by the labels' lifespan. Thermal labels, on the other hand, are mainly used for inventory management, product labelling, asset tracking and more.
Speed
Practice shows that printing on direct thermal labels is faster and more efficient since the printer itself has fewer parts that need to be moved. The only used part is the print head, creating the needed design. This, on the other hand, means that there's little to no chance of malfunctions.
Thermal printing labels, on the other hand, use ribbon that transfers the ink to the label material, making the printing speed faster than that of direct thermal printers. However, since many moving parts need to be moved in order for the pattern to be printed on the label, malfunctions are quite common. Not to mention the increased repair and maintenance costs, which can also take some time.
As you can see, choosing the right type of labels mainly depends on your needs. So, considering the industry you work in, your needs and the ones of your job are one of the main things you should take into account in order to make the right choice. If not sure which type of labels and printers the right for your job, don't hesitate to consult with a professional.
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