How do thermal paper supermarket labels achieve inkless printing?
Publish Time: 2025-05-26
Thermal paper supermarket labels is a specially treated paper with a thermal coating on its surface. This coating is composed of substances that can undergo chemical reactions and change color at a certain temperature. When the paper is heated, certain components in the coating will cause chemical changes due to the heat, forming text or patterns on the paper. Thermal paper has been widely used in many fields such as receipts, labels, tickets, etc. because it can print without the use of ink or toner.Principle of thermal printing technologyThe core of thermal printing technology lies in the thermal head. The thermal head consists of a series of tiny heating elements that can heat up quickly after receiving an electrical signal. When the thermal paper passes through the thermal head, the heating elements at specific positions on the thermal head will heat up to the appropriate temperature as needed, causing the coating on the contacted thermal paper to react chemically and change color. By precisely controlling the heating time and temperature of each heating element, the required text and images can be printed. This printing method is not only efficient, but also has low maintenance costs and is easier to operate because it does not require ink.Structure and composition of thermal paperIn order to achieve the ideal printing effect, thermal paper usually includes three layers: base paper layer, thermal layer and protective layer. The base paper layer provides basic physical support; the thermal layer is the key to determining the printing quality. It contains a color developer (usually a colorless dye) and an acidic substance. When the thermal layer is heated, the color developer and the acidic substance will react chemically, resulting in a color change. Finally, the protective layer exists to protect the thermal layer from environmental factors such as light, moisture and chemicals to ensure long-term stability.Advantages of inkless printingThe biggest advantage of inkless printing is that it reduces the need to replace ink cartridges or toner in traditional printing methods, reducing operating costs and maintenance workload. In addition, the thermal printing process is relatively environmentally friendly because there is no use of ink or toner, which avoids the pollution of the environment by related chemicals. For supermarket labels, thermal printing can quickly generate clear and durable label information, which is very suitable for fast-paced retail environments. At the same time, because thermal paper labels have waterproof and oil-proof properties, they are more durable in practical applications.In short, the reason why thermal paper supermarket labels can achieve inkless printing depends on the unique structure of thermal paper and the precise control of thermal printing technology. This technology not only improves work efficiency and reduces operating costs, but also promotes the development trend of green environmental protection.
