Everything You Need to Know About Thermal Transfer Ribbons
If you are in the retail sector, you know the importance of barcodes. Barcodes are on every item for sale and form an essential part of the business process. These unique codes are usually printed via thermal transfer or specialised direct thermal printing technology. Both of these systems use heat in order to transfer images onto different labels, but they’re a bit different in terms of how they are printed and which applications they are best suited for.
So, how do these thermal transfer ribbons work? When using ribbons to create barcodes, heat emanates from the printer. When the label passes through it, it heats up. When it comes to thermal transfer, special ribbons are used. Boasting a resin or wax formulation, the ribbons pass between the printhead and the label. The side with the barcode faces the label and passes over the printhead. The heat is then transferred between the thermal transfer ribbons, and the barcode label is created.
On the other hand, direct thermal printing is a less complex way of printing barcodes and does not require ribbons, as they use direct thermal labels with a specialised coating. In this process, only the labels make contact with the printer head, and the printer heats a special layer on the label to create a printed image. This is a simpler way to create a barcode. However, it is better suited for more straightforward applications or temporary projects since they are not as durable. They are cheaper to print initially. However, their lifespan is not as long, and they are prone to fading. They are not as suited to items that need to retain barcodes for a long time. This method is often used in shipping and high-turnover projects where labels are not needed for too long. In such instances, cheaper barcode solutions are understandable. However, when barcodes are needed for a long time, a more durable solution is needed.
The Benefits of Choosing Thermal Transfer Ribbons from Teraoka
In retail applications, thermal transfer ribbons are often the favoured solution. There are a few important benefits to using thermal transfer ribbons, and these include:
- Excellent print quality: When you choose this option, print quality is assured. Thermal transfer ribbons offer clear, high-quality prints that ensure labels retain their barcodes for a long time. This clarity speeds up point of sale operations and ensures that things run smoothly.
- Ultimate Durability: Printing barcodes via thermal transfer ribbons offers unparalleled durability. These labels can withstand harsh environments, including strong UV rays, and this ensures that they won’t fade over time. They can also handle moisture in the air and abrasions, which makes them the number one solution for any product that needs to retain its barcode for a long time.
- Versatility: These ribbons come in a range of sizes and lengths, depending on your application. This diversity means that they’re easily adaptable to any operation.
When you choose our products at Teraoka, you can be assured that our ribbons offer the following features: high sensitivity, premium wax coating and durable, pure resin. When you opt for high-end products, quality is guaranteed and the lifespan of your barcode assured.
Explore Our Wide Range of Products Today
If you are ready to streamline the labelling process and want to choose premium products built to last, explore our products today. We’re experts in the weighing, labelling, and automation industry and have over three decades of experience to our name. We have worked with multiple industries in the South African market and are always eager to expand operations. With 11 stores across the country, and 16 more throughout Africa, we’re here to help. We also offer a range of other products for retail and industrial sectors, including portion scales, digital signage, automatic wrapping machines, price card solutions, platforms, carcass scales, in-line weigh labellers, and more. We are always happy to chat with prospective clients and help you to find the best solutions for the job. Get in touch with us here. Your weighing, labelling and automation solutions are a click away and we cannot wait to hear from you today!