Thermal Transfer Labels & Card Products
Using the power of heat to produce a clean, high-qualitity image, thermal printing is supremely cost-effective and convenient. Thermal labels can be used for a variety of applications which rely on bar coding, including retail receipts, airline tickets, banking slips, wristbands, and more. Compulabel carries only the highest grade of thermal labels and ribbons, designed to provide sharp print results and secure adhesion to many different substrates. Our products are compatible with most direct thermal and thermal transfer printers including Zebra, Sato, and Datamax.
Compulabel Brand thermal transfer labels feature Clean Release Cores, referring to the light glue layer that attaches the label to the roll. This differs from traditional thermal transfer labels which are attached to the core with tape and caught in the printer when the labels run out. All of our thermal transfer labels are securely packaged in boxes that are specially designed to protect the rolls inside. This packing consists of a sturdy cardboard box with cardboard inserts, strategically placed to prevent the rolls from getting caught in the box flaps. Plastic core plugs are included to prevent roll cores from being crushed.
New to the world of thermal printing? Turn the page to learn more about direct thermal and thermal transfer printing technology.
Thermal Transfer versus Direct Thermal
"Which Type Of Labels Do I Need?"
Barcode and label printers come in difference versions, each designed to accomodate a different kind of printing technology. The two types of thermal printing methods are called direct thermal and thermal transfer. Before you implement a thermal printing system, it's important to understand the differences between the two.
Direct Thermal. With this type of system, the heat of the printhead causes a chemical reaction on specially-coated label paper, resulting in a blackimage appearing on the label. The advantage of this process is it does not require the extra step of installing a ribbon. A downside of this printing process is that some direct thermal labels can degrade quickly when exposed to heat and cold. Another is the concern that these labels have a short shelf life, lasting just a few months before losing their image qualitity. Direct thermal printing is most appriopriate for labels that are not subjected to temperature extremes and which do not require prolonged use. Simply put, it's an effective way to create temporary labels. If you require your labels to last longer than 6 months, you best bet is to consider the thermal transfer variety.
Thermal Transfer. This printing process invovles the use of a ribbon along with rolled or fan-folded labels. Like direct thermal, heat also plays a part in thermal transfer printing; however, the heat does not come in contact with the media. Instead, the hot printhead melts ink in the ribbon, which creates a sharp, crisp image on the label's surface. Heating elements inside the printhead turn on and off, forming graphics, text or barcodes. Due to the superior qualitity and durability of the images it produces, thermal transfer printing is a popular choice for a variety of applications. Since there is less wear on the printhead with this system, equipment tends to last longer. Additionally, thermal transfer printing can be used with many different types of labels substrates. One of the few disadvantages of this method is that you must continuously purchase ribbons, which can be expensive. A thermal transfer printing system is ideal for applications which require excellant scannability and a long shelf life.