Eyes open when buying a printer - why thermal transfer is a winner

cab develops and manufactures thermal transfer printers. On these, a special film is heated by the print head on selected spots. Color melts into the material to be printed. What benefits this method for printing labels? What other features are to expect from a label printer? Kristian Jakovcic, developer at cab, provides information to the Editorial cab Department.

-What are basics to observe when printing labels?
Jakovcic: Let me put it this way: Each print operation is individual. So are its requirements. Print volumes and widths matter, so do label sizes and print image quality. When printed labels are to be applied automatically to objects, cycle rates are an issue, whether objects are at rest or in motion and from which direction labels are applied. Depending on the use, resistances are required to blurring and scratching, direct sunlight and temperatures extremely high or low. Rugged work environments mean humidity, chemicals, dusts or oils.

-What about directives implied by industry, or State order?
Jakovcic: Labeling is regulated, whether on food, electronics, chemicals or pharmaceuticals, whether these are solid, liquids or powders.

-Which print method benefits for labels, and why?
Jakovcic: This can hardly be said in general terms. Each operation is individual. Digital printing is particularly effective with small label volumes printed multi-colored in different designs. Thermal transfer printing is first choice if variable data is to be added to preprinted multicolor labels. This method is particularly economical with large label volumes. There is no waiting for colors to dry, as is the case with inkjet. Proper materials provided, thermal labeling remains legible on goods during processing, inspection, picking, stock and transport. Other print methods are much more sensitive.

-More information about the latter, please.
Jakovcic: Inkjet printing based on other than pigmented ink will probably result in print images smearing in cases of contact, or when exposed to water or solvents. Laser printing does not smear. However, the intense heat of such units does not comply with label adhesives.

-Users see cost-effective operations a major concern.
Jakovcic: Absolutely! With cab printers processing label rolls, using thermal transfer method, users remain flexible even with large label volumes, as well as individual ones. There is no need of label sheets be reload over and over again. Waste is reduced.

-Industrial businesses demand industrious machines.
Jakovcic: cab printers are running with maximum print speeds of 300 mm/s. Several thousand labels per day can be labeled in high quality in continuous operation. Print resolutions up to 600 dpi, high contrast and print images razor-sharp in all areas are required to verify small batch numbers with the eye and micro codes with scanners. cab printers can do this. They are also particularly flexible. On MACH 4S devices, for example, retainers equipped with labels of different widths can be exchanged as required. The cover opens to the top. By this, no additional space is needed laterally in cases of maintenance or change of materials. EOS printers can be supplied with rechargeable batteries. Mobile printing is enabled when no power sockets are available.

-What further processes benefit from thermal transfer printing?
Jakovcic: Many customers have to add variable data on preprinted or decorative labels. Industrial businesses, in particular, opt for labels be further processed after printing. In the industrial label printers range, cab at present provides the most extensive range of accessories on the market. Label rolls can be rewound or unwound, labels be applied to objects after printing. Printed labels can also be separated and collected in a tray, or perforated, to be easily separated by hand later. Linear 1D barcodes, 2D or stacked codes can be verified on validity and readability.

-cab goes even deeper when it comes to applying printed labels to objects.
Jakovcic: That's right. We provide a wide range of applicators to add to SQUIX print units, even more HERMES. In cases of operations changing, exchange is easy. Whether labels are to be automatically pressed, rolled or blown on objects, corner-wrap, in motion or at rest - cab offers solutions for any operation. This is unique on the market. Thanks to standardization, the modular concept is global.

-Which further processes do not comply with thermal transfer, and why?
Jakovcic: Label finishings, such as spot coating, hot-film embossing or blind stamping, are not common in thermal transfer printing.

-How have label printers developed in recent years? What about innovations and impacts?
Jakovcic: It was not that long ago that Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things described visionary technological perspectives. Smart processes are now practice in all bearing industrial sectors. By integrating label printers smoothly to such information systems, label data can be identified, assigned, documented and transmitted specific to manufacture or users, for example using radio signals. I cannot judge all printer models on the market. But I can certainly confirm all cab current label printing systems ready for this interaction.

-Which features help embedding such systems to digitized workflows?
Jakovcic: The devices must provide proper interfaces. This is the case on all current cab printers. In addition, an OPC UA server is part of the firmware. The WebDAV transfer protocol enables virtual memories integrate to cab devices via a network. The Web memory becomes available as a drive. It can thus be accessed locally from anywhere.

See cab labeling equipment on www.cab.de/en

Presscontact: Guntram Stadelmann, cab Produkttechnik GmbH & Co KG, Wilhelm-Schickard-Str. 14, 76131 Karlsruhe, Phone: +49 721 6626-285, Fax: +49 721 6626-249, Email: g.stadelmann@cab.de

About: cab is Europe's biggest manufacturer of label printing systems. The range of devices includes solutions for marking individual components, units, products or packaging. Healthy global growth, pioneering technologies, products designed according to the needs of operators and the competent support of all customers are prior goals of the company. Employees at locations in eight countries and more than 800 distribution and service partners around the globe are there to meet the targets.

This release was published on openPR.