LABEL PRINTERS
Label printing needs exist everywhere – in laboratories, for example, to label test tubes, or in warehouses to mark cardboard boxes with information about their contents. Different workstations require different types of label printers, ranging from personal mobile printers worn on a belt to large desktop printers capable of producing labels as big as A3.
When daily printing needs are low and space is at a premium, so-called desktop printers offer the best solution. These compact printers, typically with plastic casings, are limited by the small size of the material rolls they use: the label roll diameter is approximately 100 mm, and the ribbon length is around 100 m. The printing width of these printers is either 53 mm or 104 mm.
Industrial-grade printers for multi-shift use
For multi-shift operations, industrial-grade printers are typically chosen. These printers feature metal casings and accommodate significantly larger material rolls, with label roll diameters of approximately 200 mm and ribbon lengths of up to 600 m. This reduces the need for frequent material changes. Industrial-grade printers also offer high printing speeds, thanks to their powerful processors and large memory capacity. The most common printing width for these printers is 104 mm, but models are also available for A5, A4, and even A3-sized labels.
In thermal transfer printing, the print head contains multiple heat-sensitive elements positioned between the ribbon and the printing material. Each element is selectively heated, causing the pigment from the heat-sensitive ribbon to transfer onto the material. The control unit in the print head precisely regulates the heating of the elements to create the desired patterns or text.
Product-Specific Information in Color
4-color printers are an excellent solution when product-specific information needs to be printed in color on a label. For example, a product image can be printed to help consumers make purchasing decisions more easily.
These printers are ideal for replacing pre-printed labels, especially when printing volumes are low, but the number of product variations is high. They enable the on-demand printing of product-specific information in color, providing flexibility and reducing inventory needs for pre-printed labels.
Depending on the model, these printers can achieve printing speeds of up to 300 mm/s and resolutions as high as 1600 dpi.
