High-Resolution Inkjet vs. Thermal Transfer Labels For Barcoding

Today, there are many companies using High-Resolution (Hi-Res) Inkjet or Thermal Transfer Labels for barcoding cartons. Following are some of the considerations before selecting an approach.

Hi-Res Inkjet Printers normally use an array of piezoelectric ceramic transducers to produce and eject small droplets of ink onto a porous surface. The most common Hi-Res Printheads are 32 channel arrays all sharing a common fluid supply. Many array printheads are mounted at an angle so that the drops of ink connect or overlap slightly to produce a continuous image.

Most Hi-Res Ink Systems include an ink tank, which hold an inkbottle and an ink line that delivers ink to the printhead. Most systems also include a pump to assist in priming the system at start up.

Thermal Transfer Label Printers also use array printheads to transfer wax or resin from a ribbon to the label. The printhead has 200 to 300 elements per inch that are heated selectively to produce an image across the label web as the label and ribbon are moved past the printhead. A driven platen roller is used to move the label and ribbon against the printhead under pressure during image transfer.

Thermal Transfer Labels are printed using a desktop printer or a Label Printer Applicator. The labels produced on the desktop label printer can be hand applied or rewound into rolls for automatic application using a label applicator. Label Printer Applicators automatically print and apply labels.