1. Use of consumables: The thermal print head mainly uses special thermal paper. This paper is coated with a special coating, which will produce a chemical reaction when exposed to heat, thereby changing the color to achieve printing. The thermal transfer print head is more flexible and can use a variety of consumables, including self-adhesive label paper, PET, PVC, wash labels, hang tags, etc., and even thermal paper. However, when using barcode software to design product labels and connecting to a barcode printer for printing, you should make sure to select the correct printing method, otherwise blank printing may occur.
2. Shelf life of labels: Due to the characteristics of the paper used and the printing principle, labels printed by thermal print heads have a relatively short storage time, generally about half a year. The specific time is also affected by the temperature and light of the storage environment. In contrast, labels printed by thermal transfer print heads have a longer shelf life, usually more than two years, mainly due to the advantages of the label materials and printing technology they use.
3. Cost: From a cost perspective, the cost of thermal print heads is relatively low, and the usage rate of its consumables is also low, so the overall cost is more economical. The cost of thermal transfer printheads, as well as the cost of consumables, is relatively high due to its wider selection of consumables and technical complexity.
4. Application scope: Due to its economy and simple printing method, thermal print heads are usually used in industries that do not have high requirements for barcodes, such as supermarkets, clothing, logistics, retail, etc. The thermal transfer print head, because of its higher printing quality and longer label shelf life, is more suitable for industries with higher label requirements, such as manufacturing, automotive industry, food industry, electronics industry, textile industry and chemical industry wait.
In summary, there are obvious differences between thermal printheads and thermal transfer printheads in terms of consumable usage, label shelf life, cost, and application scope. Which printhead you choose depends on your specific printing needs, cost budget, and industry requirements.
