There are several types of barcode printers available on the market like direct thermal, thermal transfer, inkjet, laser, and mobile printers, each has its own unique features and capabilities. Each type of printer uses different materials or substances like heat, ribbon, liquid, toner, etc, to create barcode images.Here is some detailed information about the most common types of barcode printers:
Direct thermal printers use heat to create an image on specially coated thermal paper. They are ideal for printing labels and tags that have a short lifespan, such as shipping labels, receipts, and tickets. They works with chemically treated paper or stock that turns black when the thermal printhead applies heat to the surface of the material. These barcode printers don’t use ink or a ribbon to print, making them a very cost-effective solution for Windows and Mac machines.
Thermal transfer printers use a ribbon to transfer ink onto a label or tag. They are ideal for printing labels and tags that have a longer lifespan, such as product labels and inventory tags. With these printers, you can even mark large orders highly efficiently. The various printers for materials in card format or of the rolling process produce a large selection of materials. Thermal Label Printer gives you a complete labeling solution that is ideally customized your application.
Inkjet printers use liquid ink to create an image on a label or tag. They are ideal for printing high-quality, full-color labels and tags. An inkjet printer is one of the most widely used barcode printers that print high-quality barcode images by propelling droplets of ink onto the paper.
Laser printers use toner to create an image on a label or tag. They are ideal for printing high-quality, high-resolution labels and tags with a variety of barcode fonts. Most laser printers come with a basic set of fonts.
Mobile printers are small and portable, and are often used for printing labels and receipts on-the-go. They can be either direct thermal or thermal transfer printers.
Direct thermal and thermal transfer, are two different printing technologies used in barcode printers.
Direct thermal printers use a special heat-sensitive paper to create the barcode image. The printer head heats up the paper to create the barcode by burning or melting the material.
Direct thermal printing is ideal for the short-term applications, such as shipping labels or receipts, and is typically used for different types of applications where the label does not need to last for more than a few months.
Thermal transfer printers, on the other hand, use a ribbon that transfers the ink onto the label material. The ink is melted onto the label by the heat generated from the printer head.
Thermal transfer printing is ideal for applications where the label needs to last for a long time, such as asset tagging. This method is useful for printing on label materials which are not compatible with direct thermal printing.
Each type of barcode printer has its own advantages and disadvantages, and the selection of the appropriate printer will depend on the specific needs of the user and the application. Factors to consider include the type of label or tag being printed, the volume of printing, the resolution of the print, and the environment in which the printer will be used.
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