Intermec ThermaMAX 2200 12022006 User Manual

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Criteria 

Direct Thermal Media 

Thermal Transfer Media

Life Span 

Short-term 

Long-term

 

Less than 1 year  

More than 1 year 

Abrasion Resistance 

Low 

Low (wax) to High (resin)

Chemical Resistance 

Limited 

High 

 

 

When paired with proper label or tag material

Outdoor Use 

Not Recommended 

Well-suited when using proper label and tag materials

Heat and Sun Exposure 

Not recommended 

Not affected by sunlight. Many high-temperature materials are available.

Direct Thermal vs. Thermal Transfer 

ORDERING INFORMATION: HELPFUL TIPS

Thermal Transfer media uses a ribbon to image the text and bar codes 

on a variety of materials, both paper and film. When the ribbon is 

passed beneath the print head, the heat softens the ribbon ink while 

in contact with the label or tag, resulting in the transfer of the ink 

to the surface of the label or tag. There are three general classes of 

ribbons that are used in thermal printers: Wax, Mid-range, and Resin.  

Wax ribbons are the most commonly used class and are mostly 

targeted to print paper labels and tags that will be exposed 

to relatively benign environments. Wax ribbons are also used 

to print on film labels and tags in some applications.

Mid-range ribbons are a hybrid design where resin is mixed with 

the wax to produce ribbons with durability properties that fall 

somewhere between the wax and resin ribbons. Mid-range ribbons 

are used to print on both paper and film labels and tags.  

Resin ribbons are the most durable and are mostly targeted to printing 

on film labels and tags that will be exposed to extreme environments.  

Direct Thermal media uses a transparent heat-sensitive 

coating applied to its surface to image text and bar codes.

When the heat from the print head contacts the coating, it 

initiates a chemical reaction that turns the coating black.