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If you are relying upon direct thermal printing to create labels, there are a few things you should know in order to improve the quality of your experience. Let us take a look at the chief limitation posed by direct thermal labels and what you can do to overcome that problem.
Direct thermal printing happens when a heated printhead contacts specially treated paper, burning an image into the paper. The thermal labels are often very clear and easy to read, but may be less than satisfactory when detailed logos are involved.
The problem is that the special paper used for the thermal labels remains susceptible to sunlight and heat after printing. A label can darken so much that it can longer be clearly read if it is overexposed. The lifespan of any label is tough to predict.
So, how can you effectively use a label that can be difficult to rely upon? The answer, in the case of direct thermal labels, is in using the equipment for specialized functions that have a limited lifespan.
For instance, thermal labels are great for hospital visitor labels or mailing labels. Both of these items are necessary and the thermal machine can handle them easily. Both items are also only in use for a relatively short period of time. Even if the label in question is nearing fading, these strategies could be effective.
You will want to make sure you are only using direct thermal labels for tasks that can be completed in short order. Using the labels for projects like archiving or potentially long-term warehouse storage does not make sense. The best move is to find ways to use digital thermal labels in time-sensitive situations. You will appreciate the efficiency and quick printing without being upset by the inherent limitations of the technology.
View next article "Racing against time with Direct Thermal Labels"
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