Thermal Transfer Printers

There are two types of thermal printers

Thermal Transfer Printers and Direct Thermal Printers

Thermal transfer printers use a digital thermal printing method that produces durable, long-lasting printed images on a wide variety of media by applying heat & melting a coating of thermal transfer ribbon onto the printed material.

With the ability to accept a wide range of heat sensitive media including paper, polyester, and polypropylene materials, these devices can print durable wristbands, asset tags, specialised labels, barcodes, tickets, and more. This thermal transfer technology process, method or technique is used for all long life/long-term markings like asset tags, inventory labels, durable labels, outdoor, freezer applications, and more.

The XD3-40 series is a 4-inch (118mm) Direct Thermal or Thermal Transfer Desktop Barcode and Label Printer featuring a compact design, key industry features and
The XD5-40 series is a 4-inch (118mm) mid-level direct thermal and thermal transfer desktop barcode and label Printer series. Featuring compact, clamshell designs, comprehensive software
The SLP-TX400R is a robust and powerful RFID print-encoder label printer. Supporting UHF RFID data carrier as well as industry standard 1D and 2D barcode
The SLP-TX400 series is a robust and powerful 4-inch (112mm) thermal transfer or direct thermal printer ideal for verticals such as Government, Transport and Logistics,
The SLP-TX420 is a compact, robust 4-inch (110mm) thermal transfer printer with multiple connectivity options, providing the perfect solution for applications which require a high
The SLP-TX220 is a super compact, 2-inch (60mm) thermal transfer printer, offering multiple levels of connectivity paired with high reliability. This is compact solution is

The alternative direct thermal printers print without ink, toner, or ribbon and as such are noted for their simplicity.

BIXOLON’s range of 2” and 4” desktop label printers offer either thermal transfer printing to produce labels of high-quality for printed tickets, wristbands, and more.

BIXOLON Printer Brand Range for Thermal Transfer Printing

Our range of thermal label printers are simple to use and provide high-speed, superior 203dpi print quality. They print a range of characters and graphics including 2D Barcodes, Maxicode, PDF417, QR Code, and Data Matrix. Providing cutter or peeler label options.

Please note, Many of our desktop printers come with optional WiFi enabling simple, consistent printing from PCs or iOS™, Android™, and Windows® smart devices.

To find the perfect print technology, ticket, receipt, label, or barcode printer for your organisation, simply browse below or call our European team on +49 211 68 78 54 0. You can learn more about our tablet printers or desktop compact printers by contacting us online.

If you want to find out more here is a link to the Wikipedia thermal transfer printing page

  • How does a thermal printer work?

    A thermal printer works by using heat to transfer or activate text or an image onto a printing surface. There are two main types of thermal printing: direct thermal and thermal transfer, each suited to different applications.

    Direct thermal printing uses specially coated, heat – sensitive paper. As the paper passes under a thermal printhead, the heat causes the coating to darken, forming characters and images directly on the paper without the need for ink, toner, or ribbons. This makes direct thermal printers incredibly low – maintenance and cost – effective. However, the prints produced by this method can fade over time, especially if exposed to sunlight, high temperatures, or abrasive conditions. As a result, direct thermal printing is most suitable for short – term use, such as till receipts or shipping labels.

    In contrast, thermal transfer printing uses a ribbon coated with wax, resin, or a combination of both. When heat is applied via the printhead, the ribbon’s coating melts and transfers onto the label or other material, producing a crisp, durable image. This method is preferred for longer – lasting labels or prints that need to withstand moisture, chemicals, or rough handling.

    Both technologies offer fast print speeds and minimal moving parts, which translates to greater reliability and reduced maintenance needs. In environments where high – volume, high – clarity printing is essential, thermal printers are a proven and trusted solution.

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