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Thermal transfer overprinting 101

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Thermal transfer overprinting (TTO) is a modern digital printing process that provides an innovative alternative to hot stampers and other more traditional analogue printing techniques.

TTO technology is ideal for flexible substrates. This type of technology can be used to print on almost any type of flexible material, including:

  • Plastic
  • Foil
  • Films (plastic or foil)
  • Paper label stock
  • Flat packaging
  • Low-density polyethylene shrink-wrap and other delicate materials

Thermal transfer overprinting works by creating high-quality and high-definition marks, codes and images through a transfer of ink onto a flexible substrate from a coated ribbon. This ribbon is covered with wax-resin compound or just resin, depending on requirements.

TTO printheads have small resistors that heat the print area swiftly and accurately – to transfer the relevant colour to the surface of the substrate. The fast on/off action is very precise, ensuring that the heat causes no damage to the surface of the substrate.

Thermal transfer overprinters can be used for either continuous or intermittent printing modes; making this technology suitable for a wide range of applications. These include, but are not limited to:

  • Prices
  • Date and time codes
  • Barcodes
  • QR codes
  • Logos
  • Ingredients and other mandatory text or marketing messages

The difference between TTO and direct thermal printing is that in direct thermal printing, there is no ribbon used in the printing process. However, leading thermal transfer overprinting machinery is engineered to use only a minimal amount of ribbon, which reduces wastage and means that this technology provides your packaging and Premium Label Solutions line with an economical and modern coding solution.

The benefits of choosing this technology for your business include:

  • Extremely high-resolution print quality
  • The ability to code fast-moving products in real time
  • Optimum water-fastness, which is ideal for industrial label printing and coding
  • Wax-resin compounds and full resins can be used on materials such as polypropylene to increase durability.
  • Solvent-free printing
  • Low cost of ownership due to the optimal use of ribbon

For more information on TTO technology and a range of other coding and Premium Label Solutions, contact Pyrotec PackMark today. We have the latest coding equipment from industry leaders Markem-Imaje, ALTech and Harland Machine Systems.

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