Thermal Inkjet Printer

As the market pushes harder towards sustainability and operational efficiency, no stone is left unturned in the pursuit of waste reduction. One of the small ways where pollution and energy consumption can be reduced is through the use of thermal inkjet technology.

What is a thermal inkjet printer?

A thermal inkjet printer is a device that applies heat to ink for printing onto a media. It is suitable for a wide range of surfaces, removing the need for specialized papers. Thermal inkjet printing is a development from continuous inkjet printing. The difference between thermal inkjet printers vs. inkjet printers is that first. They use different kinds of ink compounds. Continuous inkjet printers use solvent-based ink, while thermal inkjets use a dry, wax-based pigment. Secondly, while a continuous inkjet printer sprays a constant amount of ink, thermal inkjets spray ink on demand, reducing wastage, fumes, and harmful emissions.

Advantages of thermal inkjet printers

Some of the advantages of a handheld thermal inkjet printer include faster drying times, which means that the operator can even operate thermal inkjet printers in harsh environments. Also, a thermal inkjet throws up far fewer ink particles in the air. This means that potentially harmful fumes are reduced, creating a safer workplace for people. This advantage is also essential for food products and pharmaceutical items, which have understandably very low tolerances for contamination and toxicity.

Some types and examples of thermal inkjet printers

One of the most commonly used types of thermal inkjet printers is thermal inkjet coders made by handheld thermal inkjet printer manufacturers specifically for the packaging industry. Their instantaneous drying times make the labeling process faster, as there is no need to wait for the ink to dry before a package can move on to the next process. The fact that there is no need for paper or sticker labels reduces operating costs. They can print directly onto cans and boxes and are therefore suitable for printing data like expiry dates. At the bigger end of the scale are industrial thermal inkjet printers, which can print on a large amount of packaging for a short amount of time.