Thermal Printer is a type of printer that produces a printed image by selectively heating coated thermal paper, when the paper passes over the thermal print head. The coating turns black where it is heated, which then generate a graphic.
Applications of Thermal Printers
- Compared to impact dot matrix printers, thermal printers print more silently and frequently more quickly.
- Pumps at gas stations, print product and delivery labels, booths with information, voucher printers in slot machines, and point of sale systems, and hospital heart monitors that capture real-time pulse strip data are just a few examples of commercial uses for thermal printers.
- They are also more suitable for portable and retail applications since they are smaller, lighter, and use less power.
There are two types of Thermal Printers:
Direct Thermal Printer:
Direct thermal printing involves the use of a heat-sensitive media, which turns black as it moves past the print head. Since they don't need a ribbon, direct thermal printers are renowned for their simplicity of use. Despite having a lengthy shelf life, direct thermal printed labels are not recommended for environments where they will be exposed to heat, sunlight, or abrasion.
Thermal Transfer Printer:
Image consistency that continues for a long period is produced via thermal transfer printing. By using a thin ribbon roll that melts into the label when heated by the print head, the image clarity is achieved. The most consistent labels on the market are printed with thermal transfer technology, when applied with the correct material, is not only heat and moisture-resistant but also prevents the image from being rubbed off. Another benefit of this method is the continuity of the printed picture. Since the ribbon and the printer's resolution determine the colour and density of the printed image, thermal transfer printing produces reliable, consistent printing on every label.
Thermal Printer Advantages
- High Quality printing
- Fast Up to 12 in./sec
- Noise Free
- Lighter in size
- Power efficient
➨ Choose your Thermal Label Roll :
Choose thermal roll according to your designed barcode label dimension.
➨ Set Thermal Roll :
Open the slides to place thermal roll inside it.
Now adjust black notches neither too loose nor too tight by rotating the dial. After placing thermal roll in the printer properly, close the printer head. On closing the thermal printer head orange light turns into green light that indicate printer is ready to use.
Laser Printer
Laser printer is a common type of barcode printer that produces high-quality and high-resolution barcode labels on plain paper. It can print both high-quality text and images with different fonts. Because laser printers are non-impact printing devices, they are much faster than other barcode printers. Laser Printer works like a copy machine to print graphics. Characteristics of Laser printer:
- Print with high speed
- Print images with high resolution
- Media Support
In above screen, A4 size sheets are shown different samples of barcode labels designed using DRPU Barcode Software.
Where is Laser Printer used?
Since they are best suited for office use, laser printers are preferred in most industries. Companies make use of printing more often, and though laser printers are extremely fast and quiet, they aren't flawless. Each technological device has its advantages and disadvantages. The same goes for laser printers too. Using the pros and cons, the users can decide whether laser printers will work best for them.
Advantages of Laser Printer
- Performance: Laser printers are designed for printing large volumes and are also able to print multiple pages without experiencing jams and other problems.
- Speed: laser beam, which the laser printer uses, makes the printing process faster. Compared to an inkjet or a dot matrix printer, especially if you need to print high volumes of paper, then laser printers will be your best option.
- Reliability: Laser printer is a mechanical device, which means they are more reliable and durable. Unlike ink, toners are free from drying out and evaporating. If used with proper care, a laser printer will be in good condition for many years.
- Overall Cost: Even though the initial cost of a laser printer is higher, a laser printer can print more papers for a cheaper price. Laser printer uses toners, which can print more pages than a comparable ink cartridge.
Disadvantages of Laser Printer
- Laser printers are costly and cannot perform double printing simultaneously.
- Laser printers make use of complicated technology and require large hardware gadgets, which require a lot of space.
- Laser printers are complicated technology and not an economical choice.
- Laser printers are also dangerous for health and the environment as they generate ozone, which depletes the ozone layer.