Turn Up the Heat on Thermal Products
Developments in stocks and adhesives yield versatile, value-added applications.
Quick, quiet, efficient, on-demand solutions, direct thermal and thermal-transfer products have been serving variable imaging needs for more than 13 years, with suppliers continuously seeking to enhance performance. Overlaminates, repositionable adhesives and top-preforming ribbons are just a few of the cool value-added features turning thermal products into hot commodities.
For instance, McCourt Label, Lewis Run, Pa., has introduced direct thermal and thermal-transfer laminated label systems, which greatly increase options for distributors and their customers.
To Protect & Serve
While they are extremely efficient applications that eliminate the need for costly ribbons—as well as the down time to change them—direct thermal products are typically not used in harsh environments, such as pharmaceutical companies, medical labs, industrial plants and warehouses.
According to Sales & Marketing Manager Nora Stewart, "Direct thermal labels are easily compromised by heat, chemicals and moisture, which can obliterate critical information contained on a blood sample test tube or chemical container."
As a result, she added, direct thermals need to go through a second process of overlamination after they have been imprinted."
McCourt's new direct thermal laminated label system, however, combines a direct thermal face sheet with an ultra-thin polyester overlaminate. Stewart explained that heat is able to pass through the overlam and activate the image, which is then kept intact. Resistant to acids, alkalis, industrial solvents and motor oils, the product provides a durable, on-demand direct thermal solution that is effective in harsh environments. Vertical markets for this labeling system include packaging, plastics, lumber, consumer products, textiles and fulfillment.
Stewart pointed out that since flexo inks will not dry on the product, at present they must be sold as blank labels or tags until a successful pre-printing method has been developed.
The thermal-transfer imprintable overlaminate is also designed for harsh environments. Available with a clear, glossy or matte finish (the matte finish is recommended for improved imprinted bar code scannability) the product offers protected preprinted graphics with the ability to lay down variable imaging on top of the laminate.
Used in conjunction with a resin ribbon, it is an effective application for industrial and manufacturing environments. It is especially popular in the automotive industry, since the product can withstand heat up to 248° F and still maintain a readable, scannable bar code resistant to antifreeze, hot engine cleaning solution, hot oil and windshield wash.
Of course, choosing the proper thermal-transfer ribbon is essential for the optimum performance of any application.
Tom Ainsworth, marketing director for Continental Datalabel, Elgin, Ill., explained that wax ribbons require a lower printhead temperature to transfer pigment onto the media, allowing printers to run faster. These ribbons are usually combined with paper and card stocks, and are used for short-term applications—given the easily compromised nature of the substrates and images susceptible to smudging and scraping.
Resin ribbons, however, are typically used with synthetic media. Because the printhead must reach higher temperatures before transferring the pigment, fewer inches per second (IPS) of product are produced, but the result is a long-term, durable product.
Continental Datalabel recently added six new polyester, high-gloss thermal-transfer label sizes to its stock product line. "When printed with a resin ribbon, these labels offer extremely long-lasting images resistant to moisture and smudging," said Ainsworth. He referred to tracking procedures where bar-coded labels must be frequently scanned in suggesting applications.
In addition to rolls, Continental Datalabel offers fanfolded thermal-transfer labels—a convenient time saver that provides end-users with longer run times. For example, Ainsworth explained that with standard 4x6˝ thermal-transfer labels, a typical roll contains 1,000 labels. A fanfolded stack, on the other hand, provides 2,000 labels.
On Again/Off Again
What's on the back of a label contributes to the overall success of the solution. Omaha, Nebraska-based Lancer Label offers an adhesive providing good temporary adhesion, that can be removed from virtually any surface and reapplied to a different surface, leaving no residue.
While there are products that can go from a mirror to a cardboard box, they could never be used in reverse. PressAbels—brought to the market in February 2002—offer that kind of flexibility.
"PressAbels are unique in that they have the best repositionability of any adhesive currently available," said John Miller, national sales manager. "Not only does the product push the current envelope, but it moves it along."
PressAbels can be used in conjunction with a wide variety of stocks—including thermal-transfer and direct thermal. A combination of durability, removability and versatility offers endless applications, especially in materials management, inventory control, tracking operations, packaging and shipping areas, where variably-imaged thermal products prevail.
"For instance, bar-coded PressAbels labels can travel through the assembly and packaging process and then be removed and applied to the outside of a shipping carton and an inventory form," said Miller. These labels can be used to promote features and special handling or mounting instructions, yet are easily removed from purchased goods by consumers.
The adhesive is aggressive enough to stick where only permanent or freezer-grades have been used. It adheres to surfaces such as stainless steel, corrugated boxes, appliances, windows, doors, walls, computers, file cabinets, cash registers, counter tops, Formica, motor vehicles, floors, polyethylene and much more.
Throughout extensive research and development, Miller observed that PressAbels held up to multiple repositionings, although they start to break down at some point. "Obviously, if the surfaces are clean and smooth—like a desk, glass or plastic—the adhesive properties will last longer," said Miller.
Miller pointed out that this is a unique adhesive application, with characteristics some customers will need and be willing to pay a premium price for.
"Distributors will need to educate their customers to the cost considerations of the total solution. If end-users truly need to move the label to varied surfaces for efficiency, this is very cost-effective and efficient for them," he concluded.
By Maggie DeWitt
- Places:
- Lewis Run