Barcode Printers

Thermal-transfer barcode printers feature precise printing capabilities, producing patterns that are consistent with optimum read efficiency. Thermal-transfer printers facilitate high print speeds and the resulting labels are practically indestructible.

Direct-thermal printing requires no additional ink, toner or ribbon, resulting in a process that is especially convenient, requiring maintenance only of a supply of blank label stock. However, direct-thermal material is subject to deterioration. Direct-thermal provides an acceptable lifespan for such common applications as shipping labels, patient and visitor identification and receipts and tickets.

L-Tron's barcode printer offerings include systems from such industry leaders as Zebra, Sato, Cognitive, Datamax and Intermec.

To produce such high-quality barcode labels and tags, thermal-transfer printers utilize ribbons that are coated on one side with wax, resin or a combination of the two. The print head on the thermal barcode printer delivers heat, which is applied to the uncoated side of the ribbon to transfer the wax/resin material to the label or tag. The transfer produces an exceptionally robust label that sets instantly and that is subsequently impervious to degradation by light or heat.

The direct-thermal process offers another printing option, utilizing chemically treated labels or tags, instead of a coated ribbon. Direct-thermal barcode printers can also be less expensive to operate, since they do not require the more complicated mechanism needed to handle a ribbon.