Printers compatible with Thermal Transfer

Two types of print heads

There are several families of thermal transfer printers on the market. Each meets specific printing needs such as sharpness, speed, practicality, media size, compatibility, etc.

 

Flat-Head printers are the most popular on the market.  The print head is flat, meaning that the pressure must be applied to the medium for relatively long time without applying too much force. A cooling time is required before separating the ink ribbon from the printed label.	Near-Edge printers have an angled print head.  The ink is heated on and released from the edge of the print head. After a strong and brief heat pulse, the ink ribbon immediately separates from the printed label.

 

Compact thermal transfer printers

Compact Thermal Transfer printers are used in confined spaces and for low print volumes.​

Compact printer models:
Zebra ZQ600 series, Zebra ZQ600 Healthcare, TSC Alpha 2R, SATO CG2, SATO CT4i

Advantages of compact printers:

• Small ribbon size
• More occasional print requirements
• A quality very close to industrial printers

Sectors in which these printers are used:

• Office
• Distribution
• Health
• Industry

 

Tabletop thermal transfer printers

Tabletop Thermal Transfer printers are rugged printers, suitable for demanding industrial environments.

Tabletop printer models:
CAB MACH 1, CAB MACH 2, Zebra ZD620 series, Zebra ZD420 series, TSC serie MX240P, TSC serie TTP225, TSC serie TX 200, TOSHIBA TEC B-EX4T, ZEBRA 220 XI4 200 DPI

Advantages of tabletop printers:

• Ideal for low to medium print volumes
• Easy to use
• Resistance to harsh environments

Sectors in which these printers are used:

• Office
• IT
• Industry
• Health
• Transport
• Distribution
• Recreation
• Tourism

 

Module for Print & Apply

Thermal Transfer printers for printing/placement are integrated into manufacturing or packaging lines.

Print & apply printers models:
CAB hermes +2, CAB Hermes +4, CAB hermes +6, CAB PX4, CAB PX6, Markem Imaje 2200 Pallet, Markem Imaje 2200 flex SE, Markem Imaje CimPak

Advantages of print & apply modules:

• Creation and placement of labels directly on the product or its packaging
• Guarantees and simplifies product tracking throughout the supply chain

Sectors in which these printers are used:

• Food production lines
• Pharmaceutical production lines
• Chemical industries
• On most production lines

 

Coders

Coders are used for Direct Thermal Transfer printing onto flexible packaging, at high speeds (sometimes higher than 1 m/second) and requiring large volumes.

Coders models: 
Videojet, Markem Imaje, Domino

Advantages of coders:

• Printing on flexible and complex packaging
• Low, medium or high outputs
• Variable formats: small texts or large code with variable information

Sectors in which these printers are used:

• Agribusiness
• Mass distribution