A printer label is a computer printer that prints on self-adhesive and/or stock-card (tag) labeling materials. Printer labels with keyboard and built-in display for stand-alone use (not connected to a separate computer) are often called label makers . Printer labels are different from ordinary printers because they need to have a special feed mechanism to handle rolled stock, or stock fanfold. Common connectivity for label printers includes RS-232 series, Universal Serial Bus (USB), parallel, Ethernet and various wireless types. The printer label has a wide range of applications, including supply chain management, retail price tagging, packaging labels, blood and lab specimen marks, and fixed asset management.
Video Label printer
Mechanism
Printer labels use a variety of label materials, including synthetic paper and polymer ("plastic") materials. Several types of printing mechanisms are also used, including lasers and impacts, but thermal printer mechanisms are probably the most common. There are two common types of thermal printers.
Direct thermal printers use heat-sensitive papers (similar to thermal fax paper). Direct thermal labels tend to fade over time (usually 6 to 12 months); if exposed to heat, direct sunlight or chemical vapor, life becomes short. Therefore, direct thermal labels are mainly used for short duration applications, such as shipping labels.
On the other hand, thermal transfer the printer uses heat to transfer the ink from the ribbon to the label for permanent printing. Some thermal transfer printers are also capable of direct thermal printing. Using PVC vinyl can improve the longevity of label life as seen in the pipe markers and industry safety labels found in many markets today.
There are three tiers of ribbon for use with thermal transfer printers. Candles are the most popular with some stain resistant, and are suitable for matte and semi-gloss paper labels. Stain/resin stain resistant, suitable for semi-gloss paper and some synthetic labels. Resin itself is scratch resistant and chemical resistant, suitable for layered synthetic labels.
When printing on a continuous label stock, there is a tendency for the print location to shift slightly from label to label. To ensure registration of print areas with target media, many label printers use sensors that detect loopholes, notches, lines or perforations between labels. This allows the printer to adjust the stock label input so that the prints are aligned with the media.
Maps Label printer
Printer type label
The capabilities of label printers vary between home, company and industry-oriented models.
Desktop label printers are typically designed for light to medium use with rolls up to 4 "wide, quiet and cheap. Commercial label printers typically can store larger stock rolls (up to 8" wide) and directed to medium volume printing.
Industrial label printers are designed for heavy and continuous duty operations in warehouses, distribution centers, and factories. Additionally, industrial portable label printers are designed for heavy-duty operation on site. They are usually handheld and come with an industrial hard case. Examples of such applications are labeling for electrical installations, construction sites, and production floors where there are no computers.
RFID Readers are custom label printers that print and encode at the same time on RFID transponders (tags) that are attached to paper or printable synthetic materials. RFID tags need to have printed information for backwards compatibility with the barcode system, so that human users can identify tags.
The label printer applicator is designed to automate the labeling process. This system is commonly used in manufacturing and warehousing facilities that require cases and pallets to be labeled for delivery.
Labeling software runs on a general-purpose personal computer, and is designed to create and/or format labels for printing. The software can use native OS printer drivers, or embed drivers in software, through the print subsystem of the OS. It can work with a custom label printer as described in this article, or use sheet or continuous labels on general purpose computer printers.
Personal label printers or label maker are handheld or small desktop devices. They are meant for home offices and small businesses. The cost of these printers is generally very low, making it popular with low volume users; but they print on special bands, often hot, which is usually expensive.
In the past, mechanical systems that work with embossing the colored plastic tape, called embossing tape, are common. A hammer in the shape of the letter causes an extrusion of letters on the opposite side of the tape. The raised plastic will blacken, providing a visual contrast.
Currently, this type is almost completely displaced by an electronic heat transfer device with a built-in keyboard and screen, and an integrated cartridge that contains label material (and printed tape, if used).
See also
- The computer printer
- The barcode printer
- Barcode
- Emboss tape
References
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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