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Color Thermal Transfer Printers
Thermal transfer printers are mostly used for printing bar codes on thermal transfer
labels. However, this technology can be used to produce color graphics and images
by using colored wax-based ink. Just as with monochrome printers, color thermal
transfer printers use the same technology. In unison the paper and ribbon traverse
beneath the thermal print head, the colored wax-based ink that is on the ribbon
melts onto the paper. Monochrome printers use a black panel for every page that
is be printed, whereas color printers will use three or four color panels for each
page, with a panel for each color used. For three-color printing the panels are
Cyan-Magenta-Yellow (CMY), and for four-color printing the panels are Cyan-Magenta-Yellow-Black
(CMYK). Color thermal transfer printers cannot vary the dot intensity and the images must
be dithered. Dithering refers to a technique used in computer graphics, which creates
an illusion of color depth using a limited color palette. When the precise color
is not available in the palette a diffusion of colored pixels from the available
palette are used. The human eye however perceives this effect as the actual color.
Often when enlarged, dithered images can be distinguished by a characteristic graininess. Color thermal transfer printers cannot compare to today's thermal dye transfer or
dye sublimation printers, inkjet printers, or color laser printers. Color thermal
transfer printers are commonly used for industrial label printing because of its
water resistance and speed. In addition, because of their limited number of moving
parts, these printers are considered highly reliable. Solid-Ink Printers Tektronix was the first to develop the Solid-Ink or Phaser printers. In 1999, Tektronix's
printing operations were sold to *Xerox. Phaser printers use wax blocks, which
are melted then transferred onto the paper using a piezo inkjet head, similar to
the process of the inkjet printers. The Phaser printers can be configured so that
they produce extremely high-quality images. They are also more economical than
the traditional color thermal transfer printers, as the only wax used is that for
the printout, instead of consuming an entire ribbon panel. Operational expenses
including upkeep and ink are comparable to color laser printers. *Xerox is a registered trademark and not a verb to be used when referring to copying
a document. The Xerox Corporation is concerned about this ongoing practice of using
its corporate name as a verb, for this places its trademark in danger of being declared
a generic word by the courts. To combat this problem the company has engaged in
an ongoing campaign to convince the public that Xerox is not a verb.
Small business guides: , Thermal Transfer Labels Guide.com |
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