As seen in the images below, both printers produce a resolution of 203 dpi, why does the left image look better?
The answer is in the printhead itself. In this article, we will be discussing the use of a thermal print head and how it will greatly affect the quality of your prints. Also, we will go over the specifics that will improve your printhead lifespan.
What is direct thermal printing?
Thermal printing has proven to be extremely useful for a variety of reasons. One of the primary benefits is that no ink or toner is required, making it easier to print on a variety of materials.
This works because the printhead is designed to apply both heat and pressure directly to the surface of the heat-sensitive paper. As a result, the paper is blackened in order to print an image, shape, or text.
However, the printing quality of a thermal printer can be limited by the quality of a print head in many ways. This is why it is important to ensure that you pick the right printer with a high-quality printhead.
Common printhead Problems
The thermal printhead is the part that has direct contact with the media and rubs against it and there are some issues that can arise from using these types of printheads.
The biggest issue with this is that the replacement cost for printheads is high. It is a time-consuming process to replace them and this can be an issue in itself.
Here are some factors that affect printhead lifespan:
Platen pressure
Excessive pressure causes the printhead assembly to become clogged. Consequently, this would result in the printhead lifespan to be shortened.
Contaminants
Thermal paper is the part that has direct contact with the printhead. It might pass through abrasive materials throught the printhead and cause contamination. Besides, exposed in the dust would also cause slightly pollution to the printhead.
Overheat and high-speed printing
The need for more heat to transfer the image to the paper is going to require that the machine works more than necessary. More heat leads to premature damage of the printhead and this leads to more expenses in a shorter period of time.
Printhead Maintenance and tips for durability
It is important to find ways to solve these problems in order to be able to achieve the best results. Here are things you can do to extend your printhead's lifespan.
Appropriate printhead pressure
This is only possible when the machine is optimized for this purpose. The good thing is that a quality printer is always going to be helpful for the purpose of applying appropriate pressure to preserve the printhead.
Use high-quality thermal paper
You want to make sure that you can use the highest quality thermal labels in order to ensure that the printhead will work seamlessly. It's recommended to use thermal papers that manufacturers provide.
Avoid touching the equipment
You should avoid touching the printhead and this way you will make exposure of thermal label printers and printheads to water, heat, and contaminants minimal. All of these are going to damage the printhead over time. The less you touch the equipment or expose it to elements, the longer it will last.
Clean the printhead
Make use of a cleaner or a non-abrasive and reliable cleaner. This is ideal with a cloth that is lint-free and 90% alcohol. The more you do this, the easier it will be for you to increase the lifespan of your printhead.
MUNBYN Thermal Printhead
In some cases, print speed and quality are both required. MUNBYN thermal printer uses a ROHM semiconductor printhead in order to achieve a balance between image quality and speed.
To complement your printing needs, we offer a wide range of direct thermal labels at accessible costs. Whether you require 4x6 labels for larger surfaces or round labels for a more compact space, we have you covered. Our selection includes gradient color labels for a visually striking effect and solid color labels for a bold and vibrant background. The advantages of the thermal print head are obvious and choosing the right one will make everything about your business much easier to handle.
Now that you have a better idea of how thermal print heads work and what the advantages are, now consider the purchase of a high-quality thermal printer for optimal results.
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