Printek's Blog

Rugged Mobile Printers CAN Print Rugged Labels For Harsh Environments

Tweet

 

Field printing applications often require mobile thermal printers that can operate in harsh environments.  A harsh environment is typically one where there may be exposure to various chemicals and somewhat extended temperatures.  An even harsher environment might be one of long exposure to higher temperature extremes or even direct sunlight.  Examples include warehouse labeling,  lumber or nursery yard tagging, manufacturing floor processes, automobile inventory and AIAG labels, and pallet tags.  

Once a printer has been selected that can perform flawlessly in these conditions, like the PrintekMobile MtP300 or MtP400, an appropriate label must be selected that can survive in the same harsh environment.

For some environments where simple paper labels are not adequate, UV-coated labels may be the answer.  UV-coated labels are printed using direct thermal technology and are made with a proprietary process which gives them some unique and exciting properties. They are paper label media, which provide an excellent balance between cost and quality. The special UV-coating provides a barrier to the harmful sunlight elements, which normally fade a direct thermal printed image, and also imparts a weather-resistant seal to the paper. Therefore, besides having good image contrast and excellent scratch-resistance, the printed image and the label substrate are long-lasting in outdoor environments.

For tougher environments, thermal transfer printing may be required for even better image contrast and longer readability.  Thermal transfer printing and mobile printing are often considered to be exclusive of each other.  Truly mobile applications require printers that are easily transported or worn by their user, which means they cannot be large enough, or so heavy, that they can accommodate separate thermal transfer ribbons. 

PrintekMobile has the solution that integrates true mobile AND thermal transfer printing.  This capability is achieved by using PrintekMobile Fusion labels.  Fusion labels are a unique product that allows our MtP-series direct thermal printers to produce thermal transfer labels.  This Self Contained Thermal Transfer Label (SCTTL) can be made with either paper substrate or synthetic substrate, and in self-adhesive or hangtag form.  As in traditional thermal transfer technology, the actual printed image is made by transferring material from a thermally-activated ribbon to a receptive media surface.  With Fusion, however, the ribbon is actually “fused” to the printable media and contained on the same roll, eliminating the need for a separate ribbon roll. The small individual ribbon component of the label is simply removed and discarded immediately after the print job. The result is the ultra-readable, super tough image of traditional thermal transfer combined with the convenience of direct thermal.

The table below provides a relative comparison among the various media available:

 * Time from label print until it becomes illegible in a typical outdoor environment

For more information, please contact a PrintekMobile representative at (800) 368-4636.