Thermal transfers are
best known for the printing of high quality designs and identification
labels and are used for printing designs and high quality bar
codes This article will describe how thermal transfers operate and
provide some basic tips about the use of thermal printing.
With respect to
printing, a thermal transfer is implemented when a specialized printer melts
wax within its print-heads and uses it to print a design or text onto paper.
Thermal transfers are usually preferred over direct thermal printing on
surfaces that are heat sensitive or when higher durability of printed material
(especially against heat) is desired.
Thermal Transfer is a
popular printing process particularly used for the printing of designs or
identification labels. Thermal transfers are an extremely popular printing
process in the industrially developed world. It is especially used for the
printing of high quality barcodes. The thermal transfer print process uses
three main components: a non-movable print head, a carbon ribbon (the ink) and
a substrate to be printed, which would normally be paper, synthetics, card or
textile materials. The three components form a sandwich with respect to the
ribbon, which is in the middle. A thermally compliant print head, in
combination with the electrical properties of the ribbon and the correct
rheological properties of the ribbon ink are all essential components in
producing a high quality printed image.
Print heads are sold
in 203 dpi, 300 dpi and 600 dpi resolution options. Each dot is addressed
independently and when a dot is electronically stimulated it immediately heats
up to a pre-determined, (adjustable) temperature. The heated element
immediately melts the wax or resin based ink on the side of the ribbon film
facing the substrate and this process, in combination with the constant
pressure being applied by the print head locking mechanism instantly transfers
it onto the substrate. When a dot ‘turns off’ that element of the print head
instantly cools down and that part of the ribbon thereby stops
melting/printing. As the substrate comes out of the printer it is completely
dry and can be used immediately.
Carbon ribbons are on
rolls and are fitted onto a spindle or reel holder within the printer. The used
ribbon is rewound by a take-up spindle forming a roll of used ribbon. It is
called a ‘one-trip’ ribbon because once it has been rewound the used roll is
discarded and replaced with a new one. If one were to hold a strip of used
carbon ribbon up to the light one would see an exact negative of the images
that have been printed. The main benefit of using a one-trip thermal transfer
ribbon is that providing the correct settings are applied prior to printing, A
100% density of the printed image is guaranteed; compare this with a pre-inked
ribbon on a dot matrix impact printer ribbon which slowly fades with usage.
Think Toner, Inc. has an
excellent selection of Thermal Transfer products. Visit our website at www.thinktoner.com.
