First, let’s talk about the similarities: Both label printing methods each require a thermal print head that applies heat to the surface being marked. The print head consists of tiny heating elements (dots) that heat up in selected areas to produce the desired print image. Therefore, the rather general term thermal printer may be used for direct thermal label printers as well as for thermal transfer printers. Their printing resolution is determined by the size, number and arrangement of heating elements, specified in dots per inch (dpi). It is usually 203, 300 or 600 dpi. The higher the number, the higher the print resolution and quality.
The actual difference between the two methods is in the surface that is heated by the print head: Thermal transfer printing uses a wax- or resin-based ribbon that transfers ink onto the label when heated. Direct thermal printing, on the other hand, uses heat-sensitive labels which blacken where they are heated directly.
We would also like to add that you can print both linear and two-dimensional barcodes such as data matrix codes or QR codes with either thermal printing method. The same goes for text and graphics, of course.
Either way: Contact our team for FREE expert advice and top deals for label printers that best suit your business needs!
