Thermal transfer labels: types, description, application

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Thermal transfer labels are the best alternative to tags, which are traditionally sewn onto clothes as a product labeling tool. Printing can occur both on the wrong side and the front side of the fabric bases. This marking option is extremely convenient because it reduces the time required to complete the work. Ready-made clothing labels can be stocked and used as needed.

Moreover, the thermal transfer printing method is applicable for the manufacture of all kinds of price tags, barcodes. Its use is often resorted to when applying information to packaging.

Label Making

The labels of this plan are named after the thermal transfer printing method on which they are based. Labels are produced using ribbon, which is a special type of ink ribbon. When exposed to high temperature, the dye transforms onto the surface of roll materials, which can be covered with glossy or matte paper, nylon.

Printing principle

Material marking using thermal transfer printing method can be described as follows. Powdered, solid dye can be heat-treated in a special printer. Then, under the influence of the print head, the image is transferred to a roll or directly to the fabric surface during clothing decoration.

In the manufacture of price tags and barcodes, the underside of thermal transfer ribbons is covered with an adhesive. Thus, in the future, the label can be applied to any substrate, in particular, dusty and damp surfaces.

Scope of application

Currently, thermal transfer labels are widely used:

• retail chains for printing barcodes, self-adhesive price tags;
• organizations whose activities are aimed at the production of consumer goods, packaging;
• transport and logistics companies;
• clothing factories, private sewing workshops.

Printing times

Applying a thermal transfer label to clothing takes a few seconds. Any person who was previously unfamiliar with this printing method can cope with such a task. Depending on the required runs, the production of a batch of thermal transfer labels on average takes from 1 to 3 days.

On the contrary, it can take weeks to prepare for the release of large batches of clothes with sew-on labels on the market. In addition, this method is obsolete and extremely inconvenient.

Sizes

Whenplacing an order for the production of thermal transfer labels, their parameters are of no small importance. Here it is recommended to focus on the model and characteristics of the available printers that will be used for the application of ribbons.

The diameter of the rolls in which the labels are distributed must necessarily be comparable to the parameters of the sleeve of the printing equipment. Zebra thermal transfer labels, which are suitable for desktop printer models, are available in 0.5 inch diameter. Industrial printers typically work with 1 ribbons.

It should be understood that the width of the roll is slightly larger than the width of the label located on its surface. Therefore, choosing a ribbon that is too wide will prevent the ribbon from entering the printer's print head opening.

Types of labels

There are such types of thermal transfer labels for printing:

1. Vellum - are used when it is necessary to apply to the surface of products whose maximum life cycle is from several months to a year. Examples include containers for storing cosmetics, household chemicals, printed matter, and packaging.
2. Polypropylene - labels made on the basis of this material are designed for use in rooms where there are sharp changes in humidity and temperature, there are other adverse conditions. Often used when labeling goods with an indefinite shelf life.

Print quality

In fact, thermal transfer labels are a special kind of stencils. Similar printing methodsalso called silkscreen. Images that transfer to the surface of the marked materials under the influence of high temperatures do not fade, withstand the aggressive effects of the environment. All this also applies to the application of labels on fabric bases. When decorating clothes with the thermal transfer method, there is no risk of harm to the he alth of the consumer who will use the finished product.

Benefits

Thermal transfer labels feature the following features:

• widest range of sizes;
• possibility of application in the organization of production of both small and large batches;
• create all kinds of labels in large and small sizes;
• high quality fonts, images, barcodes, etc;
• printing with a wide variety of printers;
• possibility of applying labels on the surface, both automatically and manually and semi-automatically.

How are thermal transfer labels different from regular thermal labels?

First of all, it is worth noting the increased resistance of thermal transfer media for transferring images on surfaces to temperature changes and fading. For this reason, they are resorted to when it is necessary to produce products that are planned to be sold over a long time period.

Based on the storage and operation conditions, customers select various typesthermal transfer labels. Depending on this, their surface can be coated with resins, wax, or a mixture of both.

In conclusion

Self-adhesive thermal transfer labels are a fairly new type of product on the domestic market. For their manufacture, it is possible to use a wide variety of materials, which allows customers to find the best solutions for subsequent operation in certain conditions.