Accessoires for Label Printers

How to Choose a Label Printer

Labels are used to track the products from packages to items in a store. Based on the individual interests in labeling, there are a variety of materials, printing technology, and size options available.
While thermal direct paper labels printed with scales are effective for short term use, the special labels from acrylic material printed thermal transfer are a much better solution for applications which require durability, such as electronic circle.
To decide easier on what sort of media you should print on, you have to know:

• What exactly are you going to use the labels for?
• What is the durability of the label that you need?
• On what surface and in what environment will be used the label?

After answering these questions, you have to choose the material type: paper, foil or polyester, security ( special ) material and textile. The type of materials can be self adhesive and non adhesive.

Self adhesive

The most commonly used barcode and label media are the paper labels because of their simplicity, flexibility, and ease of use. The foil, polyester, security and textile materials are specific for the different industries.

Non adhesive

Such materials are without adhesive layer. They may be produced from different materials. Can be printed thermal transfer and direct thermal, find application in different areas:
Parking tickets, cultural events, flowers, bracelets of hospitalisation, water parks, concerts and more.

Printing Technology

Direct Thermal

Thermal printing (direct thermal printing) is a printing process which produces a printed image by selectively heating coated thermal paper. When the paper passes over the thermal print head the coating turns black in the areas where it is heated, to create the image.
It’s easy and cheap to operate with direct thermal printers as they don’t require thermal ribbons. This printers are ideal for scales, transport labels, boarding card, for short time applications. They aren’t suitable, when the labels are for a prolonged period of time.

Thermal Transfer

Thermal transfer printing is a process in which printing is carried out with the thermal transfer ribbon. This print is not affected by the weather or other external factors. Depending on what material will be used and for what purposes the ribbons can be wax, wax-resin, resin. Thermal transfer printers are used to print a long series of labels with high quality and resolution. These printers are appropriate in different jewellery shops, small grocery shops to large manufacturing plants. Thermal transfer print is a great option in electronics, cosmetics and everywhere when it’s required a quality printing.

Dot Matrix

Dot matrix printing technology is an outdated technology. When it is used print head that moves back and forth. The print head has an ink-soaked ribbon by which impact is transferred to the paper prints. Nowadays this technology is used rarely.

Ink-Jet

Inkjet technology is a modern printing technology. It creates a colour digital image of small droplets of ink onto paper or other material. This type of printing is becoming more common for printing of labels in full colour short series of high quality.

How to Find Label Printer

To choose the right printer you need to know:
– What media do you use?
Paper, foil, polyester labels, endless rolls, transparent labels, tickets, etc.
– What is the correct printing technology suitable for your needs?
Direct thermal or thermal transfer printing technology
– What is the monthly quantity that you are going to print?
1000, 20 000, 500 000

The label printers are divided in groups – portable, desktop, industrial.

Portable – these printers are used for printing labels everywhere in any time. Connectivity can be via Wi-fi, Bluetooth, USB. Find great application in shipping.
Desktop printers are the most commonly used and they are not intended for large loads. These printers are compact and suitable for places with limited space.
Industrial – these printers are designed for heavy loads, their speed of printing is higher than the desktop ones. In most models they are combined and maintain direct thermal and thermal transfer printing technology.