Thermal Transfer Overprinting

What is a thermal transfer overprinter?

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.

Advantages of a Thermal Transfer Printer

Thermal transfer printers use a high-resolution thermal printhead, which melts a wax and/or resin-based ink from a very thin thermal transfer ribbon (or “foil”) coating onto the surface of your product.

Please note, Ribbon Print Performance can vary depending on the grade of ribbon, thermal transfer printer and substrate (film type) being coded onto.  

Jim's Jerky - Customer Testimonial

Jim's Jerky is a family owned and operated Australian business located in Charlton, Queensland. Matthews were able to provide Jim with a solution to code and label date and product information to help increase their production efficiency.

"Being able to print on bags as they are going through the packing machine, we can produce the same amount of product, package the same amount of product and with less people, in a smaller area in a much more efficient manner"

Next Generation Pet Foods - Customer Testimonial

Next Generation Pet Foods is located in Caloundra, Queenslands and was established in the 1990s. They approached Matthews to help with the printing of date and batch codes onto their products using inkjet technology.

"Its enabled us to put product into the market without becoming a packaging company... within 24hrs we can have a new brand, new product in the market that meets all packaging requirements"