Thermal printing is a popular method of label printing. More durable and economical than toner-based laser printing, thermal printing has steadily gained popularity since its invention in 1972.
There are two different types of thermal printing: direct thermal and thermal transfer.
Thermal transfer
Thermal transfer printing transfers ink from a plastic film to the label material. This is a proven printing method that can be extremely flexible, using a variety of label materials and ink combinations.
Direct thermal
Direct thermal labels contain a special coating that changes color as it is heated by the thermal printer. In previous years, the use of direct thermal printing declined due to its inferior quality compared to thermal transfer. However, in the last decade, direct thermal materials have undergone significant developments, which in many cases have made the print quality equivalent to thermal transfer.
