Compare Thermal Inkjet Printer vs Thermal Transfer Overprinter

Various industries focusing on product manufacturing require high-resolution printers to print coding information on products or packaging. The information includes barcodes, texts, expiratory dates, and so on. Printing variable data is a necessary process to meet the requirements set by targeted countries and business partners.

Furthermore, such information is essential for customers to understand the quality and authenticity of products. Due to these reasons, manufacturing industries need to know which printer is the right choice for printing which types of information.

This article will compare thermal inkjet printers and thermal transfer overprinters by explaining the definitions, how they work, differences, and tips for choosing which one suits your business needs and operations.

Definition of Thermal Inkjet Printer and Thermal Transfer Overprinter

A thermal inkjet (TIJ) printer is a technology used in industrial settings to print texts, images, and graphics onto various products or packaging. It’s cost-effective yet able to produce high-quality printing.

TIJ printers use thermal or electrical energy to heat ink and apply it to a substrate. TIJ printers use small and replaceable liquid ink cartridges with built-in printheads. The ink is used to print variable data onto various products or packaging.

Meanwhile, a thermal transfer overprinter (TTO) refers to a technology of industrial printing used for producing durable and permanent prints of signs, labels, and special graphics. These prints are resistant to harsh environments and last for months. For example, road signs can withstand sunlight, high or low temperatures, chemicals, and water.

In addition, TTO printers can produce clear prints of variable information for medication, chemical, food, and beverage packaging. Unlike TIJ printers, TTO printers use a specific ribbon and thermal printer head. The thermal printer head heats the ribbon, which transfers pigment onto the surface of the packaging or material.

Ribbons for TTO printers are made of either resin, wax, or a mixture of the two. A wax ribbon is the cheapest and most suitable for short-term use, while a resin ribbon is costlier but suitable for long-term use. The price and use of combined resin-wax ribbon fall between the two. 

Thermal Inkjet Printer vs Thermal Transfer Overprinter: Tabel of Comparison

From the definitions and working of the two printers, you already know the general differences between a thermal inkjet printer and a thermal transfer overprinter. However, the table below explains other distinctions.

Points of Comparison	Thermal Inkjet Printer (TIJ)	Thermal Transfer Overprinter (TTO)
Print Resolution	High-resolution prints of images and texts on a myriad of substrates.	Quintessential prints for reading and scanning.
Print Durability	Not suitable for harsh environments. Prints may blur and smudge when revealed to sunlight, moisture, and humidity.	Lasts longer (months) and is impervious to extreme conditions.
Versatility	Versatile for printing variable data on various packaging such as paper, wood, cardboard, and fabric.	Very versatile. Suitable for many uses, such as printing variable data on packaging, signs, labels, and graphics.
Performance	Ink dries quickly and requires little to no downtime.	TTO printers are faster than TIJ printers and more suitable for high-volume printing.
Cost	TIJ printers and their components are cheaper, and easy to find and replace.	The printer and components are more expensive.
Maintenance	TIJ printers have more moving components than TTO printers. Thus, TIJ printers require more maintenance, repair, and replacement of components.	Less maintenance because it has fewer moving components. TTO printers are more durable and easier to maintain.

Read About: Thermal Inkjet Printer: Benefits and Application

Which One is Better, Thermal Inkjet Printer or Thermal Transfer Overprinter? (Tips for Choosing It)

After knowing and understanding the differences between a thermal inkjet printer and a thermal transfer overprinter, you might wonder which one is better for your business use. Overall, a TTO printer is a better choice than its counterpart. It produces better coding or prints for many uses, after all. The prints are also more durable and resistant to harsh environments. 

However, TIJ printers might be the better choice depending on your business needs and operations. So, the first thing that you need to consider is the scope and type of your business operation. Do you need a printer that can work for a long-term application or a short one? If the answer is the latter, then the TIJ printer is the right choice.

Another vital thing to consider is the kind of conditions to which the packaging or labels will be exposed. If your business only needs to print marking and coding onto packaging or products for indoor purposes, th a TIJ printer is more suitable for this and it has a lower price than a TTO printer, and vice versa.

Thermal inkjet printers and thermal transfer printers have their own advantages and disadvantages. Both are useful for printing high resolution labels and variable information on packaging. Consider the type of your business and the environment of the labels to choose which one is more suitable for you!