Thermal-ware for Package Printing
September 2004
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Thermal transfer printing offers printers and converters easy money-making opportunities, among several other benefits.
WITH ALL THE talk about variable data printing these days, packagePRINTING went straight to the experts to find out the fundamentals of thermal transfer printing and what it can do for today's package printers and converters.
pP: What are the main benefits that thermal transfer printing offers printers and converters?
Amy Schmitt, IIMAK marketing communications manager: Advantages include:
• Flexibility—Changing variable data is quick and easy when managed electronically. This significantly reduces downtime when compared to hot stamp or ink imprinting. Unlike hot stamp or ink imprinting, there are no plates or type that need to be changed.
• Print quality and durability—Thermal transfer offers varying degrees of image durability to meet any application needed. Thermal transfer ribbons also afford the opportunity to print a wide range of substrates. Ribbons are available in both black and a variety of colors.
• Reliable operation—Thermal printers work by melting ink from a ribbon onto the packaging material. They are designed for high-volume industrial environments. The printers, or "coders," are placed in-line with packaging systems, and are generally very low maintenance and easy to use.
pP: Explain the different kinds of thermal transfer ribbons and for what is each used.
Candice Kamody, marketing analyst for Sony Chemical Corp.: The intended application must be considered because of the differences in printed-image durability when printing with thermal transfer ribbons. The selection of wax, or wax/resin, or resin ribbons is a cost/performance issue based on the needs of the application.
Schmitt: General purpose wax is the most common ribbon and costs the least. It prints well on coated and uncoated papers and low-end synthetics. It's ideal for short-term labeling, where there isn't much scratching or smearing.
Premium wax/resin offers higher durability (scratch and smudge resistance) and can print on the broadest range of stocks. It is also a good choice if the image may come into contact with mild chemicals.
Super premium resin ribbons offer the highest durability but print on the narrowest range of stocks. Resin bonds with the stock, and coated synthetic stocks—like polyester—work best here. If long-term durability in harsh environments is required, resin is the answer, offering great resistance to solvents and extreme heat and cold. Resin provides superior image stability, but the costs of the stock, labels, and ribbons are higher.
pP: How can thermal transfer printing add money to the bottomline?
WITH ALL THE talk about variable data printing these days, packagePRINTING went straight to the experts to find out the fundamentals of thermal transfer printing and what it can do for today's package printers and converters.
pP: What are the main benefits that thermal transfer printing offers printers and converters?
Amy Schmitt, IIMAK marketing communications manager: Advantages include:
• Flexibility—Changing variable data is quick and easy when managed electronically. This significantly reduces downtime when compared to hot stamp or ink imprinting. Unlike hot stamp or ink imprinting, there are no plates or type that need to be changed.
• Print quality and durability—Thermal transfer offers varying degrees of image durability to meet any application needed. Thermal transfer ribbons also afford the opportunity to print a wide range of substrates. Ribbons are available in both black and a variety of colors.
• Reliable operation—Thermal printers work by melting ink from a ribbon onto the packaging material. They are designed for high-volume industrial environments. The printers, or "coders," are placed in-line with packaging systems, and are generally very low maintenance and easy to use.
pP: Explain the different kinds of thermal transfer ribbons and for what is each used.
Candice Kamody, marketing analyst for Sony Chemical Corp.: The intended application must be considered because of the differences in printed-image durability when printing with thermal transfer ribbons. The selection of wax, or wax/resin, or resin ribbons is a cost/performance issue based on the needs of the application.
Schmitt: General purpose wax is the most common ribbon and costs the least. It prints well on coated and uncoated papers and low-end synthetics. It's ideal for short-term labeling, where there isn't much scratching or smearing.
Premium wax/resin offers higher durability (scratch and smudge resistance) and can print on the broadest range of stocks. It is also a good choice if the image may come into contact with mild chemicals.
Super premium resin ribbons offer the highest durability but print on the narrowest range of stocks. Resin bonds with the stock, and coated synthetic stocks—like polyester—work best here. If long-term durability in harsh environments is required, resin is the answer, offering great resistance to solvents and extreme heat and cold. Resin provides superior image stability, but the costs of the stock, labels, and ribbons are higher.
pP: How can thermal transfer printing add money to the bottomline?
Companies Mentioned:
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Chemistry for the Graphic Arts
What the Printer Should Know About Paper