Thermal Transfer or direct thermal?
Snap Hardware white page

What's the difference between thermal transfer and direct thermal printer?

People, frequently, ask us about thos difference, and so, we consider we have to make it clear. The technology they use is practically the same. The printhead warm the zones where happens the thermal transfer of the symbol.

 

If the printer is a thermal transfer model, the head warms a ribbon that transfers the color on the label below in common, special, synthetic paper, or, on magnetic cards (magnetic tape), chip card, badge or smartcard. If the printer is a direct thermal model, the print process is the same, but, instead of using a ribbon, it uses labels in chemical paper (that's thermal) that reacts to the head's warmth by colouring the support, the label. Someone, now, could think the printers are almost the same, but they have a different commercial definition. Not at all!

The direct thermal printers use a head that is not able to melt the ribbon is wax or resin, they don't get to temperature such as to allow the warnth transfer from the ribbon to the label. So it results that the thermal transfer printers have the double function of the thermal transfer and direct thermal transfer equipment. Another difference is about the colorof the printed symbol or character / type.  

 

The direct thermal printer is not able to choose the colour: the thermal paper, exposed to the warmth, returns just the black. The thermal transfer printer usually uses the black, but exsist coloured ribbon: monochrome for the label and polycrome for the badge. Last, but not least, difference is that the thermal labels have a shorter duration than those in common, special or synthetic paper; accidental erasings on the printed farm are possible, they can be caused by sources of warmth like the sun or the radiators. The print, besides, tends to fade during the time, giving rise to the well-known phenomenon with which, in time, the thermal print tickets (thermal paper receipt) become unreadble.

 

To look over thermal transfer printers follow this link .

To look over thermal printers follow this link


Raffaele Donatiello

Raffaele Donatiello

Your account


Reccomended products


9,08VAT Included€ 7,44 + VAT 22%


Labels SQC Thermal paper (roll)

Code: DT068045-PWPU-40/106

Labels; thermal paper, packing roll, colour: white, adhesive: permanent, dimension: 68 x 45 mm., label coil number: 1000.

1205,16VAT Included€ 987,84 + VAT 22%List: €1912,96Save: €707,80


Handheld Computers/PDA Datalogic Skorpio X4

Code: 942550014

Datalogic Skorpio X4, 1D, imager, USB, RS232, BT, Wi-Fi, RB, WEC 7

2490,14VAT Included€ 2041,10 + VAT 22%List: €3831,00Save: €1340,86


Handheld Computers/PDA Zebra TC77

Code: TC77HL-5MG24BG-A6

Zebra TC77, 2D, MR, BT, Wi-Fi, 4G, NFC, GPS, GMS, Android

1437,06VAT Included€ 1177,92 + VAT 22%List: €3124,04Save: €1686,98


Handheld Computers/PDA Zebra MC3300x

Code: MC330L-SA4EG4RW

Zebra MC3300x, 2D, SE4770, BT, Wi-Fi, NFC, alpha, GMS, Android

196,32VAT Included€ 160,92 + VAT 22%


Labels Zebra 8000T Cryocool

Code: 3012295

Zebra 8000T Cryocool - Labels; polypropylene, packing roll, colour: white, adhesive: high strength permanent, dimension: 23 x 15 mm., label coil number: 4348.

74,69VAT Included€ 61,22 + VAT 22%


Labels Zebra Z-Select 2000T

Code: 3004867-T

Zebra Z-Select 2000T - Labels; coated paper, colour: white, adhesive: permanent, dimension: 70 x 40 mm., label coil number: 1600, packing with 16 pieces.

1643,07VAT Included€ 1346,78 + VAT 22%List: €2440,85Save: €797,78


Label Printers Zebra ZT411

Code: ZT41142-T0E0000Z

Zebra ZT411 T - business Printer ; direct thermal, thermal transfer print; Interface: BLUETOOTH 4.1/LAN/RS-232 SERIAL (DB-9)/USB; Resolution: 8 dot/mm (203 dpi); Speed: 356 mm/sec. Options: color display, real-time clock (rtc),.

621,86VAT Included€ 509,72 + VAT 22%List: €844,00Save: €222,14


Labels Zebra Z-Ultimate 3000T White

Code: 880253-031D

Zebra Z-Ultimate 3000T White - Labels; polyester, packing roll, colour: white, adhesive: permanent, dimension: 70 x 32 mm., label coil number: 2100, packing with 12 pieces.

258,05VAT Included€ 211,52 + VAT 22%


Labels Zebra Z-Ultimate 3000T Silver

Code: 3010666

Zebra Z-Ultimate 3000T Silver - Labels; polyester, packing roll, colour: silver, adhesive: permanent, dimension: 55 x 25 mm., label roll number: 6360.

151,93VAT Included€ 124,53 + VAT 22%List: €266,55Save: €114,62


Labels Zebra Z-Perform 1000D

Code: 3005103*

Zebra Z-Perform 1000D - Labels; thermal paper, packing roll, colour: white, adhesive: permanent, dimension: 148 x 210 mm., label roll number: 790, packing with 4 pieces.

44,74VAT Included€ 36,67 + VAT 22%List: €74,57Save: €29,83


Labels Zebra Z-Perform 1000D

Code: 3012910-T

Zebra Z-Perform 1000D - Labels; thermal paper, packing roll, colour: white, adhesive: permanent, dimension: 51 x 25 mm., label coil number: 353, packing with 16 pieces.

92,70VAT Included€ 75,98 + VAT 22%List: €174,28Save: €81,58


Barcode Scanners Honeywell Metrologic Hyperion 1300g

Code: 1300g-2USB

Honeywell Hyperion 1300g - Barcode reader hand held, multi-use; linear imager tecnology for 1D / LINEAR CODES, code; Color Black. Base not included in the package. Cable usb included.

628,65VAT Included€ 515,29 + VAT 22%List: €1232,66Save: €604,01


Label Printers Zebra ZD621T

Code: ZD6A043-30EF00EZ

Zebra ZD621T - desktop Printer ; thermal transfer print; Interface: BTLE/LAN/RS-232 SERIAL (DB-9)/USB/USB HOST; Resolution: 12 dot/mm (300 dpi); Speed: 152 mm/sec. Options: display, movable sensor, real-time clock (rtc),.

640,79VAT Included€ 525,24 + VAT 22%List: €651,10Save: €10,31


Handheld Computers/PDA Zebra TC21

Code: TC210K-01A242-A6

Zebra TC21, 2 Pin, 2D, SE4710, USB, BT (BLE, 5.0), Wi-Fi, NFC, PTT, GMS, ext. bat., Android, RAM: 3 GB, Flash: 32 GB

204,56VAT Included€ 167,67 + VAT 22%List: €364,83Save: €160,27


Labels Zebra Z-Perform 1000T

Code: 880019-025D

Zebra Z-Perform 1000T - Labels; plain paper (vellum), packing roll, colour: white, adhesive: permanent, dimension: 89 x 25 mm., label coil number: 2580, packing with 12 pieces.

494,15VAT Included€ 405,04 + VAT 22%List: €742,21Save: €248,06


Printers Accessories Honeywell Metrologic Printhead

Code: 1-040084-900

Intermec printhead PX6i, 8 dots/mm (203dpi)

261,47VAT Included€ 214,32 + VAT 22%List: €522,95Save: €261,48


Label Printers Zebra ZD230D

Code: ZD23042-D0EG00EZ

Zebra ZD230D - desktop Printer ; direct thermal print; Interface: USB; Resolution: 8 dot/mm (203 dpi); Speed: 152 mm/sec. Options: no opzione.

314,03VAT Included€ 257,40 + VAT 22%List: €402,60Save: €88,57


Label Printers Epson TM-T88V

Code: C31CA85042

Epson TM-T88V - desktop Printer ; direct thermal print; Interface: RS232 DB9 (SERIAL)/USB; Resolution: 7 dot/mm (180 dpi); Speed: 305 mm/sec.

203,81VAT Included€ 167,06 + VAT 22%List: €443,08Save: €239,27


Wristband Zebra Z-Band Direct Ultrasoft in cartridge

Code: 10015357K

Zebra Z-Band Direct Ultrasoft - adehesive wristbands white coloured for paedriatic identification, size 25x178 mm.250 wristbands per cartridge. 6 cartridges pack.

321,64VAT Included€ 263,64 + VAT 22%List: €510,55Save: €188,91


Palmtop Accessories Zebra Accessories for terminals

Code: 3PTY-TIS-MC33TGHD

Pistol grip per Zebra MC3300