Thermal transfer labels are the best alternative to tags, which are traditionally sewn onto clothing as a means to label products. Printing can occur both on the inside and the front side of the fabric bases. This type of labeling is extremely convenient because it reduces the time required to complete the work. Ready-made clothing labels can be stored in stock and consumed as needed.
Moreover, the method of thermal transfer printing is applicable for the manufacture of all kinds of price tags, barcodes. Its use is often resorted to when applying information on the package.
Label making
Labels of this plan got their name based on the thermal transfer
printing method on which their application is based. Labels are made using ribbons, which is a special kind of ribbon. When exposed to high temperature, the dye transforms onto the surface of the roll materials, which can be coated with glossy or matte paper, nylon.
Print principle
Material labeling using thermal transfer printing can be described as follows. Powdered, solid dye can be heat treated in a special printer. Further, under the influence of the print head, the image is transferred to the roll or directly to the fabric surface during the decoration of clothes.
In the manufacture of price tags and barcodes, the inside of the thermal transfer tapes is coated with adhesive. Thus, in the future, the label can be applied to any base, in particular, a dusty and wet surface.
Application area
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;
- factories for the production of clothing, private sewing workshops.
Print Dates
Applying a thermal transfer label to clothing takes a few seconds. Any person who is previously unfamiliar with this printing method can cope with this 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, preparing for the launch of large batches of clothing using sewing labels can take weeks. In addition, this method appears morally obsolete and extremely uncomfortable.
Dimensions
When placing an order for the manufacture of thermal transfer labels, their parameters are of great importance. It is recommended that you focus on the model and specifications of existing printers that will be used for ribbon applications.
The diameter of the rolls in which the labels are distributed must necessarily be comparable with the parameters of the sleeve of the printing equipment. Zebra Thermal Transfer Labels, which are suitable for desktop printer models, have a diameter of 0.5 inches. Industrial printers typically work with 1-inch ribbons.
It should be understood that the width of the roll is slightly greater than the width of the label located on its surface. Therefore, selecting an excessively wide ribbon will not allow the latter to enter the hole in the print head of the printer.
Types of labels
There are such varieties of thermal transfer labels for printing:
- 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. As an example, we can mention containers for storing cosmetics, household chemicals, printed materials, and packaging.
- Polypropylene - labels made on the basis of this material are intended for use in rooms where sharp changes in humidity and temperature are observed, and there are other adverse conditions. Often used when marking goods with an indefinite shelf life.
Application quality
In fact, thermal transfer labels are a special kind of stencil. These printing methods are also called silkscreen printing. Images that pass to the surface of marked materials under the influence of high temperatures do not fade, withstand the aggressive effects of the environment. All this also applies to applying labels to fabric substrates. When decorating clothes using the thermal transfer method, there is no risk of harming the health of the consumer who will use the finished product.
Benefits
Labels for thermal transfer printing have the following advantages:
- the widest range of sizes;
- the possibility of application in the organization of production of products in both small and large batches;
- creation of any types of labels of large and small sizes;
- high quality application of fonts, images, barcodes, other;
- printing using a wide range of printers;
- the possibility of applying labels on the surface, both automatic, manual and semi-automatic.
What is the difference between thermal transfer labels and conventional thermal labels?
First of all, it is worth noting the increased stability of thermal transfer means for transferring images on the surface to temperature extremes and fading. For this reason, they are resorted to if necessary to produce products that are planned to be sold over a long period of time.
Based on the storage and operating conditions, customers select various types of thermal transfer labels. Depending on this, their surface may be coated with resins, wax or a mixture of both.
Finally
Self-adhesive thermal transfer labels are a fairly new type of product in the domestic market. For their manufacture, the use of a wide variety of materials is possible, which allows customers to find optimal solutions for subsequent operation in various conditions.