Is it time to use thermal labels?

Is it time to use thermal labels?

How Label Material Changes Reduce Costs, Improve Sustainability, and Improve OEE

If you use a thermal printer for secondary packaging or pallet labels, your printer will probably work just as happily as thermal transfer or thermal labels.

Which is better? Which is more cost-effective?

let's see…

Both types of thermal printing use basically the same equipment. The difference between the two is that thermal transfer printing uses a specially designed ribbon to transfer the image to the label.

Thermal printing does not use ribbon. Instead, the labels have a layer of color-forming material that darkens with the heat and pressure of the printing process.

If your labels need to be exposed to sunlight, chemicals, heat, abrasion, etc. for extended periods of time, then thermal transfer technology can obviously be used.

However, for labels used in the supply chain, direct thermal technology can reduce costs and increase efficiency.

Thermal and Direct Thermal - Actual Cost of Ownership

Cost of Thermal Transfer vs Direct Thermal Label Printing

equipment cost

Most thermal printers can use both types of printing technologies, so equipment costs are usually the same.

label cost

Thermal labels have a coupler layer on the laminate, which does make them a bit more expensive than thermal transfer labels.

Ribbon cost

The cost of thermal transfer ribbon obviously doesn't apply to direct thermal printing.

Print

Head The print head on a thermal printer is a wear part that needs to be replaced. In thermal transfer printing, the printhead is expected to print approximately 6 million linear inches continuously. Direct heating is about 4 million.

transportation cost

Label shipping costs apply equally to each technology. Using direct thermal, no ribbon transport is required.

total cost

This chart shows the relative costs of two printing technologies calculated for customers. In this case, switching to direct thermal energy saves over $50,000 per year!

Sustainability

Less shipping, less handling - direct thermal labels are perfect for your plans to reduce your carbon footprint.

What do you do with used thermal ribbon?

Thermal printing offers some useful advantages that improve overall equipment effectiveness (OEE) by eliminating the need for ribbon:

– No time wasted refilling the ribbon

– No unplanned maintenance required to eliminate ribbon wrinkles

– No rework of poorly printed products due to ribbon wrinkling

Common misconceptions about direct thermal

DT label turns yellow

Well, they may end up yellowing, so you won't be using them for long-term product identification. For logistics and supply chain work - durability is no problem.

DT labels are more expensive

,Yes.

Of course, not having to buy the thermal ribbon used in thermal transfer offsets this.

TT offers better print quality

This was true in the past, but direct thermal technology has improved to the point where print quality is just as good in most situations.

TT is best for barcodes

Again, this was true in the past, but today's thermal labels can produce legible barcodes to ANSI/ISO specifications throughout the day.