Printing test: thermal label printing

Reprinting with thermal printers: our practical tests

Whether it’s a use-by date, weight or ingredient list, post-production reprinting is essential for many products. Two main technologies are used: direct thermal printing and thermal transfer printing. Direct thermal printing is particularly suitable for labels intended for temporary use. It requires a specific heat-sensitive substrate, often called direct thermal paper. The printer’s printhead heats certain areas of the label, which instantly blacken to form the desired text or code. Thermal transfer printing deposits ink from a ribbon directly onto the substrate. This process works with a wide range of substrates, even those that are not heat-sensitive, and delivers long-lasting, durable prints. Quality depends on both the ribbon (wax or resin) and the substrate used.

To guide our customers, we carried out a series of tests with the Meto company. Using their PrintHybrid printers, capable of handling both direct thermal and thermal transfer printing, we tested several standard substrates available on our online calculator, focusing on thermal transfer printing. Each substrate was tested with a wax ribbon and a resin ribbon to observe printing differences. These results give valuable indications, although performance may vary according to your printer and conditions of use.

How to choose between wax and resin ribbon?

The choice of ribbon depends above all on the substrate:

• For film labels: resin tape is recommended, as wax is not sufficiently resistant to rubbing.
• For paper labels: coated papers give the best results. Our tests with PrintHybrid printers show, however, that wax ribbons can also produce sharp, long-lasting prints on more absorbent papers.

Perfect thermal printing

In addition to the choice of ribbon, print speed and temperature are crucial:
Too much heat or too slow a speed can damage the substrate, especially films, and risk burning the label. Adjust temperature and speed as they also influence black density: lower temperatures at higher speeds can produce light grays instead of deep blacks. Our results table summarizes the performance of substrates with each ribbon type and provides practical observations from the tests.

labelletiquette.fr tests Meto PrintHbyrid

Compatibility with other thermal printers

The media tested are compatible with most thermal printers, including Zebra models. However, we recommend testing on your own equipment to ensure optimum results. Roll labels are available with different core sizes and winding directions to suit your application. This flexibility minimizes downtime and ensures smooth integration into your processes.

Practical advice

These tests are based on specific Meto printers and serve as a guide, not a guarantee. Performance may vary according to your equipment, settings and conditions of use. For best results, test media under your own conditions. Our customer service department can provide you with samples and advice on optimizing your installation.

Do you have any other substrates or applications you’d like to test? We’ll be delighted to consider them for our next tests. You can reach us by phone on +33 (0)4 81 68 19 73 or by e-mail at info@labelletiquette.fr. We’ll be delighted to help!