The Basics
RFID Printers are designed to save time for mass printing and encoding applications. These devices are basically an RFID reader and a printer combined into one machine. UHF, HF, and NFC tags are all able to run through an RFID printer, as long as the tag is compatible with that specific printer. The RFID reader inside serves as both the encoder and the verifier for all tags that pass through the unit as it reads and then encodes the tags with the new information and then zebra-printerre-reads the tags before they are released in order to verify that the tag has the correct, new information.
RFID printers are used in many RFID applications in order to replace manual encoding and/or add visual text to RFID labels. Printers, on average, print about 20 labels per minute depending on set print speed and label size. Because printers are quick and accurate they are very valuable in RFID applications dealing with supply chain, manufacturing, transportation & logistics, retail, and healthcare. In applications where a high volume of RFID labels is required, the time saved is well worth the initial cost of the printer as well as any ribbons the printer may need in the future. As an example, if manually encoding each tag and verifying the encoded information is done at a rate of about 3 tags per minute, about 1,440 tags will be encoded per 8-hour work day. Using an RFID printer to encode (and print) each label is performed at a rate of about 20 per minute (on average), indicating that around 9,600 tags will be encoded and printed per 8-hour work day. RFID printers work about 7 times faster, or more, than manual encoding.
Types of Printingsato-printer
Two types of RFID printing styles are available with RFID printers: direct thermal printing and thermal transfer printing. Most RFID printers are capable of both direct thermal and thermal transfer printing (with the addition of ribbon and a change of settings).
Direct Thermal
Direct thermal printing only prints on a specific type of paper (media) that turns dark when it comes in contact with a heated printhead. When the specialized paper passes through this printer, the printhead is heated and then moves across the paper in the desired pattern.
Direct thermal printing is used less frequently in RFID applications because the paper and printed information naturally degrades over time, especially when subjected to heat, sunlight, or abrasion. The upside to using direct thermal printing is the reduced cost (vs. thermal transfer printing) because there is no need to purchase printer ribbon.
This print style is used without the addition of an RFID reader very frequently for items like shipping labels, receipts, coupons, and name tags. The commonality between all these pieces of media is that the item is only used for a short period and will not hold up to long-term use, especially in warm environments.
Thermal Transfer
Thermal transfer printers apply the heated printhead to a ribbon instead of directly on the piece of media. The heated ribbon melts the ribbon and transfers it onto the media/tag in the form of the desired pattern or lettering. Transferring the ribbon to the actual piece of media increases the durability and longevity of the printed text or image.
Thermal transfer is the most common printing method for RFID labels because of the advantage in lifespan of the printed media. Other positives of using thermal transfer printing is the availability of media choices and types of materials, plus the ability to survive in environments that range in temperature and light. The main disadvantage of thermal transfer is the recurring cost of the printer ribbon.
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