Thermal Transfer Overprinters (TTO’s) use a high-resolution thermal printhead to produce crisp, clear barcodes and information directly onto flexible packaging, labels or foil products. The thermal printhead, thermally transfers ink on a ribbon (which is commonly threaded onto a cassette) onto various types of poly film (LLDPE, LDPE, BOPP). Unlike other inkjet technologies, TT overprinters are in direct contact with the substrate, allowing better quality text, graphics and barcodes.

Most flexible packaging machines (Flow wrappers, vertical form fill and seal – VFFS, horizontal form fill and seal – HFFS, thermoformers, tray sealing, shrink / sleeve / stretch wrapping) that TTO’s are incorporated with, have either a continuous or intermittent operation. It’s important to determine the best print location in the context of the films motion path, as this can significantly impact print quality.

When using the thermal transfer printing technology, you can print everything from simple date codes and batch codes to logos, product descriptions, ingredients lists, nutritional panels and fully compliant barcodes. If you need high-density barcodes and labels with longevity, a thermal transfer printer is an excellent option.