Cash Register NY offers a full range of printers from manufacturers such as Epson, Zebra, Touch Dynamic, Posiflex, Citizen, SNBC, Star and Ithaca to fit every need. Whatever your merchandise needs, Cash Register NY can supply you with a full line of rugged, dependable printers that will last for years, improving your store operations and maximizing your return on investment.
Give us a call today 212 203-7172 so we can help you find the right thermal printer for your point of sale system.
PRINT TECHNOLOGY MATRIX
Technology |
Print Quality |
Scanner Readability |
Initial Installation Cost |
Long-Term Maintenance Cost |
Materials Waste |
Dot Matrix |
Fair |
Low |
Low/Moderate |
Moderate/High |
High |
Ink Jet |
Moderate |
Low/Moderate |
High |
Moderate/High |
High |
Laser |
Moderate |
Moderate |
High |
Moderate/High |
High |
Direct Thermal |
Moderate/Excellent |
Moderate/Excellent |
Moderate/High |
Low |
Low |
Thermal Transfer |
Excellent |
Excellent |
Moderate/High |
Low |
Low |
There are two thermal printing methods: direct thermal and thermal transfer. Each method uses a thermal printhead that applies heat to the surface being marked. Thermal printers are engineered to print within tight tolerances and to produce the exact bar widths that successful bar code printing and scanning require. Each technology can produce one- and two-dimensional bar code symbologies, graphics and text at the same print resolutions and speeds.
In thermal transfer printing, a thermal printhead applies heat to a ribbon, which melts ink onto the material to form the image. The ink is absorbed so that the image becomes part of the media. This technique provides image quality and durability that is unmatched by other on-demand printing technologies.
Thermal transfer printers can accept a wider variety of media than direct thermal models, including paper, polyester, and polypropylene materials. Thermal transfer printers can create extremely durable wristbands, asset tags, and certification labels, in addition to common labels, tags, and tickets. The specific label material and ribbon must be carefully matched to ensure print performance and durability.
By selecting the right media-ribbon combination, as well as specialty adhesives, users can create archival-quality labels to withstand temperature extremes, ultraviolet exposure, chemicals, sterilization, and more. Typical thermal transfer applications include: product identification; circuit board tracking; permanent identification; sample and file tracking; asset tagging; inventory identification; certification labels such as UL/CSA; laboratory specimens; cold storage and freezers; and outdoor applications.
Direct thermal printing uses chemically treated, heat-sensitive media that blackens when it passes under the thermal printhead. Direct thermal printers have no ink, toner, or ribbon.
Their simple design makes thermal printers durable and easy to use. Because there is no ribbon, direct thermal printers cost less to operate than inkjet, laser, impact, and thermal transfer printers. Most mobile printers use direct thermal technology.
Thermal media images may fade over time. If the label is overexposed to heat, light, or other catalysts, the material will darken and make the text or bar code unreadable. For these reasons, direct thermal printing is not used for lifetime identification applications. The readability of direct thermal labels, wristbands, and receipt papers varies greatly, depending on the usage conditions, but the technology provides ample lifespan for many common bar code printing applications including shipping labels, patient and visitor identification, receipts, and ticket printing..