The label printers are computer printers which print on the self-adhesive labels or card tags. The label printer is different from an ordinary one as it needs to have the special mechanism to handle the tear sheet or the rolled stock. These printers can connect through the RS-232 serial, parallel, USB and Ethernet. They are used for marking of the retail price, laboratory and blood specimen marking, management of fixed assets, supply chain management, packaging labels, etc.

The Printing Mechanism of Label Printers

The label printer uses different types of printing mechanisms such as thermal, laser and impact printing mechanisms. There are various kinds of label printers on the basis of the printing mechanisms they use.  

• Direct Thermal: The ‘direct thermal’ label printers use the heat sensitive paper. ‘Direct thermal’ labels fade fast and within 6 months to about a year when they are exposed to heat, chemical vapor, and direct sunlight. These printers find wide application as shipping labels.
• Thermal Transfer: The ‘thermal transfer’ label printers use heat for the transfer of ink from the ribbon to the labels for the purpose of permanent printing. Some ‘thermal transfer’ printers find wide application in direct printing. The use of PVC vinyl increases the lifespan of the labels in pipe markers.

Various Kinds of Label Printers

• Desktop: The ‘desktop’ label printers are made in a way for medium and light-duty use. These printers are affordable and silently operate. They use 4 inches of the stock roll.
• Industrial: The industrial label printers are basically ‘heavy-duty’ printers that find wide application in factories, warehouses as well as distribution centers. These printers are handheld and have a hard case. They find wide application in production floors, construction sites, and electrical installations.
• RFID Readers: The RFID readers are the special kinds of the label printers which can encode as well as print on RFID transponders. RFID tags need printed information for backward compatibility with barcode systems to enable human in recognizing tags.

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