Thermal Transfer
Materials
Face stock & Ribbon
Advantages
Different face stock/ribbon combinations can provide scratch, smudge and chemical resistance
Less expensive material than Direct Thermal
All material is scan-able in both visible and infrared light
Much more face stock choices
Longer printhead life
Disadvantages
Can be very costly for short term applications
Timely and messy to change ribbons
Ribbon lengths rarely match label rolls lengths
Direct Thermal
Materials
Face stock only
Advantages
More cost effective for short term, visible light scanable, paper applications
Less down time on printer without having to change the ribbon
Most used in medical applications where the end-user cannot afford to waste time or get hands dirty from the ribbon
Glove friendly adhesive for medical applications
Disadvantages
Cannot withstand UV light or high temperature exposure
Face stock costs more for near infrared or infrared scanability
Shorter shelf life
No options for scratch resistance
Few options for chemical resistance
Costly to replace the printhead more often