Direct Thermal Stock
Direct Thermal Substrates allow a Direct Thermal printer to create an image by applying heat directly to a label material which has a heat-activatable coating. No ribbon is required in the printer. This was originally referred to as Chemi-Thermal Labels. Direct Thermal label paper is available in two basic qualities.
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Direct Thermal printing should not be confused with Thermal Transfer printing.
Direct Thermal Printing is an electronic printing process in which a special heat-sensitive surface coated material (paper/film) is turned selectively black by the direct application of heat through the contact apertures of an electronically controlled thermal print head.
In Thermal Transfer Printing, a heat sensitive ribbon replaces the heat sensitive thermal paper. A very smooth and receptive conventional paper (or suitable film), is printed by means of an electronically controlled printing head which transfers variable data – including bar codes – to the label face material via a heat sensitive printer ribbon placed between the printing head and the face material.
Thermal Transfer printing is used for the variable information printing of batch codes, date codes, sequential numbers, text, diagrams and bar codes onto pallet, carton or box end labels, for warehousing and distribution requirements.
For thermal printers that print faster, users should specify thermal paper that is more sensitive. Thermal labels with a faster thermal response can print at speeds up to 12 inches (305mm) per second, or at slower speeds where the print-head temperature can be reduced, allowing a longer print-head life.