Types of Printers for Barcode Labels
Types of Printers for Barcode Labels
Finding the appropriate printer for barcode labels depends on factors like print volume and surface type, among others. There are five different types of printers: dot matrix, ink jet, laser and thermal transfer printers.
Dot matrix printers produce poor-quality barcodes and are limited to printing on paper. Laser and inkjet printers may only print labels of specific types.
Inkjet Printers
Inkjet printers create digital images by spraying small droplets of ink onto paper or plastic materials. Inkjets are ideal for barcode label printing as they can print on a variety of substrates such as label stock and fabric; additionally they can print envelopes, cardstock and other forms of media. While inkjet printers are generally inexpensive and versatile, their ink cartridges must be changed regularly or they could become clogged over time.
Dot matrix barcode printers utilize dots to form lines and spaces to represent barcodes on-site, making this printer one of the oldest methods.
The DYMO Labelwriter 100 is an outstanding choice, capable of printing 51 labels of four line addresses per minute without needing ribbons or toner. Support for multiple fonts and styles makes this printer ideal for shipping labels as well as inventory records directly from Excel or Word documents.
Thermal Transfer Printers
Thermal transfer and direct thermal models of label printers that produce quality images with durable results are the ideal choices for creating barcode labels. Their thermal printhead applies heat directly onto adhesive-backed labels to melt them permanently into permanent marks; eliminating the need for ribbons while creating scannable barcodes.
Thermal printers are an excellent choice for businesses needing to print a large volume of barcodes and labels every day, such as warehouse or distribution environments. Their rugged construction can withstand dust, dings and wear-and-tear while remaining functional in either hot or cold climates.
Thermal label printers are often compatible with point of sale systems and Microsoft Excel, and can connect via USB, Ethernet or Wi-Fi to computers. Furthermore, thermal printers support various media types without necessitating ribbons or ink.
Direct Thermal Printers
thermal printers use thermal-activated paper for printing, eliminating the need for ribbons and ink cartridges and thus simplifying operation and maintenance costs. This also makes direct thermal printers cheaper to maintain.
As direct thermal prints are vulnerable to both heat and sunlight, they should not be used on labels that will be exposed to environmental factors like high temperatures and UV rays; their label material could darken or fade and render previously printed barcodes and text illegible, rendering direct thermal printing inappropriate for applications requiring information that must remain legible over a short time span such as receipts, patient wristbands or tickets.
Direct thermal prints can also be top coated for greater resistance against chemicals and abrasion, making them suitable for labelling medical equipment, food thermal roll manufacturers items and items in long logistical chains. Furthermore, these durable labels may also be ideal for creating archival-quality labels that must withstand temperature extremes over time.
Mobile Printers
Mobile barcode printers are lightweight and portable print-and-scan devices that use thermal transfer or direct thermal printing technology to produce labels, receipts, tickets and tickets for retail, healthcare, transportation & distribution and warehousing industries.
Transport & logistics companies rely on mobile label printers to streamline shipping shipments and track products as they’re delivered to customers, decreasing putaway/picking time while simultaneously decreasing errors due to mislabeling.
