Here is a structured breakdown of thermal printhead types and their key features, especially relevant for barcode, label, and industrial printing applications.
Types of Thermal Printheads
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Type
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Description
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Best For
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Direct Thermal (DT)
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Heats specially coated paper directly to create an image
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Short-term labels, receipts, shipping tags
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Thermal Transfer (TT)
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Uses heat to transfer ink from a ribbon onto the label surface
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Long-lasting labels, harsh environments, barcodes
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Dye Diffusion Transfer
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Transfers dye via heat for high-resolution color printing
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Photo printing, ID cards
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Melt Thermal Transfer
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A variant of TT with controlled ink melting for fine detail
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High-precision industrial marking
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For industrial barcode and compliance labeling, Thermal Transfer is preferred due to its durability and resistance to heat, chemicals, and abrasion.
Key Features of Thermal Printheads
- Resolution: Typically 203 dpi (8 dots/mm), 300 dpi (12 dots/mm), or 600 dpi for high-detail applications
- Heating Elements: Micro-resistors that heat selectively to form images; arranged in a linear array
- Durability: Protective coating resists abrasion and contamination; lifespan depends on ribbon/paper quality and print speed
- Speed: Print speeds range from 2 to 14 inches per second depending on model and media
- Media Compatibility:
- DT: Requires heat-sensitive paper
- TT: Works with synthetic labels, polyester, polypropylene, and more
- Maintenance: Regular cleaning extends lifespan; avoid low-grade media to reduce wear
Contact us today for your replacement print head from leading brands such as SATO, Zebra, Toshiba TEC, TSC, Honeywell, Godex, Citizen, Argox etc
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