How the Right Sign Can Make Your Business

While many businesses use labels frequently, yours may heavily rely on them to provide valuable information to employees, customers, consumers, vendors, etc. In some cases, a bad label could be the difference between making money and losing money for the company. If your business uses a lot of printed labels, you may be considering using thermal transfer labels for their many benefits. If so, check out these four facts, so you can determine if they are right for your company.

They Require Special Equipment to Make

To make thermal transfer labels, you need to purchase special equipment. For starters, you must purchase a thermal transfer printer, which comes in many sizes and costs. These printers use ink ribbons instead of ink cartridges to print labels. The printer has a special thermal printhead, which heats the ink ribbon, transferring the ink to the label. If you're looking to save money, you may want to consider a direct thermal printer, which doesn't require any ink or ink ribbon to work.

In addition to the printer and ink ribbon, you'll also need to purchase labels. The labels used in thermal transfer printers are not made from normal paper, so you'll need to buy labels designed for this type of printer. They come in many standard sizes, but if your company needs special sizes or shapes, you can request customized labels for an extra fee.

You Can Customize Your Own Labels

Once you own the printer, ink ribbon, and labels, you can start making your own, and you can customize them almost however you want, making them extremely versatile and perfect for a business that uses a lot of labels. Even if you use similar labels again and again, they may not always contain exactly the same information.  Dates, quantities, etc. may constantly change, making it difficult to order pre-made labels. With a thermal transfer printer, however, you can simply add, delete, or change any information you want between labels, reducing the risk of error.

You can also customize the color of the ink. This may be used to draw attention to important information, or you may use it to help make your brand stand out from the rest of the competition.  To change the color, however, you'll need to get another ink ribbon, and most inexpensive thermal transfer printers can only hold a single ink ribbon at once. For this reason, it's not a great way to create multi-colored labels unless you can afford a high-end printer.

The Process Creates Durable Labels

Another benefit to thermal transfer labels is their durability, which far surpasses that of standard paper labels. They tend to last longer inside and outside when compared to other types of labels. The ink is also less prone to fading. If you purchase a direct thermal printer instead of a thermal transfer printer, the labels are slightly less durable and may fade sooner.

You may also be able to purchase labels (or have some customized) to suit special needs. For example, if your business uses a lot of chemicals, you may request labels made from a more durable material to withstand deterioration. On the other hand, a company that sells coffee cups may want their labels to deteriorate as quickly as possible, so they dissolve when the customer first washes the cup.

Many companies rely on labels to store valuable information that may impact the company or customers. However, if your labels fade easily or don't provide all the information needed, they may be hindering your company. If you believe customizable, durable thermal transfer labels are the right choice for your business, get started by looking for an affordable printer today.