Bar Code Label Printers
Bar Code Label Printers
The first thing you should know is the difference between how thermal bar code label printers work. There are two types out there:
Direct Thermal Printers
Thermal Transfer Printers
They both use heat during the printing process but in two very different ways.
In a direct thermal bar code label printer the paper used is chemically treated so that it turns dark when heat is applied to it. In direct thermal printers the printhead actually applies the heat to the paper during the printing process. Every where the heat from the printer applies the heat turns dark. Years ago this was the only type of thermal printing available. The problem is that the chemically treated paper will not hold up and the printing will actually fade over time. Plus the label is left in the direct sun or exposed to high heat, it will turn completely black making the label useless.
Compare that to the thermal transfer printers available today and there a big difference. These types of printers use the thermal printhead to apply heat, just like the direct thermal printers do, but the difference is that the heat is applied to a ribbon instead of directly to the paper. The ribbon then transfers the text, graphics, barcodes, etc. to the label or tag (called a substrate).
The ribbon is used between the printhead and the substrate and that extends the life of the printhead.
Unlike your desktop laser printer, thermal bar code label printers only print out the number of labels needed. Unlike your laser printer that uses an entire piece of 8 1/2 X 11″ paper for a single label.
Because direct thermal printing does not us a ribbon, the costs are usually considerably lower than that of a thermal transfer printer. Most ‘big box’ stores as well as most large grocery chains use direct thermal transfer for their receipts.
Most people looking to print barcodes are looking for a more permanent solution and need labels that will not fade over time and can be subjected to high heat. After all, you never know when that package may be left in the sunlight by a delivery person and if that happens the package may not be deliverable due to the label turning black.
Last, you should be aware that bar code label printers do not use the same printer drivers as regular laser or ink jet printers. They require specific drivers to be loaded into your computer before they will operate properly. So if you plan on moving your printer from computer to computer then you will need to install the drivers in every computer you want to use the label printer on.
So armed with the above information you can probably decide which type of label printer is best for your specific situation. From that point you will need to estimate the number of labels you expect to print over a period of time and order the appropriate number of boxes of labels. If you decide to use thermal transfer printers then you will have to do a little math to determine how many feet of ribbon you will need. Most manufacturers and suppliers of bar code label printers will assist you in making that calculation or have handy worksheets on their websites.
Bar Code Label Printers
Take your time and shop around and you can find the exact bar code label printers or barcode label printers you need for your business.
