| SUMMARY | | | | retransfer printing is a two-step print and retransfer |
| No matter what business you are in, you likely have | | | | process. How does it work? During the initial printing |
| data stored on one or several optical discs. Perhaps | | | | stage, the printer copies an image to a clear |
| you have large files, music, documents, video | | | | retransfer ribbon. The color is applied from the |
| content, medical images, records or backup data that | | | | printer's supply ribbon, which contains a colored ink |
| you have saved and need to distribute. You've | | | | coating of cyan, magenta, and yellow in sequential |
| already made the wise decision to record this data | | | | panels. The second stage is the retransfer process. |
| on a CD, DVD or Blu-ray Dis, thereby ensuring it will | | | | During this process, the image and the color are |
| last a long time as well as be easily distributed and | | | | applied to the disc. Using heat and a small amount of |
| stored. You've also guaranteed that your data can be | | | | pressure, the print head irons over the ribbon, |
| read by any computer anywhere in the world. Now | | | | thereby retransferring the color image from the |
| you have one more decision to make: how to create | | | | ribbon to the disc, hence the name thermal |
| a clear and informative label for the disc. | | | | retransfer printing. The whole process takes about |
| The disc itself has a large surface area to work with, | | | | one minute. |
| so it makes sense to utilize this exterior. That way, | | | | Another difference between the two thermal print |
| you and the recipient will know the contents of the | | | | technologies is that the disc used in retransfer printing |
| disc just by looking at it. There are two common | | | | must have a top coating designed for thermal |
| means to this end. First, you could use a Sharpie or | | | | retransfer. Because the color image is applied to the |
| other soft tipped, permanent marker to write the | | | | retransfer ribbon and then the disc, the ink gets |
| contents directly on the disc's surface. Permanent | | | | fused into the optimized disc surface, and it is there |
| markers work quickly and easily, but they stop short | | | | to stay. Thermal retransfer print is not a |
| of what most professionals expect in | | | | laminate-remember, your credit card doesn't have a |
| business-to-business information transfer. | | | | layer that someday peels off. Thermal retransfer |
| You could also use one of the many inkjet printers | | | | print is permanent. (The only difference between a |
| that have the ability to print on specially-coated discs. | | | | credit card and a printed disc is that credit cards are |
| These printers are inexpensive but have two | | | | printed on two sides, of course, and optical discs are |
| drawbacks, the first of which is the cost of ink. Most | | | | only printed on the top surface.) The ultimate result |
| manufacturers sell their printers at a low cost and | | | | is a photo-realistic, color label that is clear, smooth |
| look to ongoing ink sales for profit. The second | | | | and highly durable. |
| disadvantage to inkjet printers is the lack of | | | | WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THERMAL |
| permanence. Most inks are water-based, and if they | | | | RETRANSFER PRINTING? |
| get damp or wet, you have a messy problem on | | | | In terms of label design and durability, thermal |
| your hands. | | | | retransfer printing rises above direct thermal printing. |
| As a professional, it does not make sense to record | | | | But why the two step process of thermal retransfer |
| and distribute large amounts of data on a disc if the | | | | printing, and is it worth it? Absolutely.There are six |
| label does not live up to the value of the content. | | | | key benefits of thermal retransfer printing. |
| Fortunately there is a third option-one that won't | | | | A Perfected Two-step Processhermal retransfer disc |
| fade, smudge or sell you short. Thermal disc printing | | | | printing is a two-stage process, and each stage is |
| is the ideal solution for every disc that needs a clear, | | | | optimized for high quality and durability. The print |
| reliable and professional label. | | | | portion is simple-the image is printed to the retransfer |
| This article explains the technology and benefits of | | | | ribbon. The second stage-the retransfer stage-use an |
| thermal disc printing. | | | | exact amount of heat and pressure to fuse the ink |
| INTRODUCTION | | | | to the disc. Each step in the thermal retransfer |
| Thermal disc printing provides an ideal solution to your | | | | printing process does its specific job to perfection. |
| disc printing needs. In this paper, we'll answer the | | | | Consistency |
| two basic questions behind this type of printing: | | | | The print head mechanism always prints to a |
| - What is thermal disc printing? First, we'll address the | | | | consistent surface-the retransfer ribbon. Unlike a |
| two basic technologies behind the solution: direct | | | | disc's surface, the retransfer ribbon surface is a |
| thermal printing and thermal retransfer printing. | | | | constant variable. As a result, the print head lasts |
| - What are the benefits? After discussing the two | | | | longer and the print consistency is optimized with |
| technologies, we'll explain how one thermal printing | | | | each print. |
| technology is superior to the other. | | | | Dramatically Improved Throughput |
| WHAT IS THERMAL DISC PRINTING? | | | | If you are using a disc production system that |
| There are two different types of thermal printing: | | | | records and prints, the thermal retransfer printer can |
| direct thermal printing and thermal retransfer printing. | | | | actually print the image to the retransfer ribbon while |
| Each processes uses heat and pressure to transfer | | | | the disc is still in a recorder. The result? Dramatically |
| ink from a ribbon to the surface of the disc. Although | | | | improved throughput, which means you can do more |
| the processes vary slightly, the results differ | | | | with less and increase your business potential. |
| significantly. | | | | A Predictable and Low Cost |
| Direct Thermal Printing | | | | With thermal retransfer printing, the cost per disc is |
| As its name suggests, direct thermal printing | | | | predictable and low. Each disc uses only three color |
| transfers ink from an ink ribbon directly to the disc. | | | | panels and just a portion of the retransfer ribbon. |
| Through a mix of heat and pressure, the print head | | | | The cost per print is less than 35 cents, and each |
| transfers wax-based ink from a thermal ink ribbon to | | | | disc costs the same. In addition, print ribbons are |
| the top surface of a disc. The disc itself may or may | | | | long, resulting in extensive print runs that eliminate |
| not be treated with a special top-coating that is | | | | the need for you to reload the printer or scramble |
| optimized for thermal printing. Although both treated | | | | for inkjet cartridges. Predictable costs mean |
| and non-treated discs are acceptable, you will, of | | | | predictable customer quotes and production budgets |
| course achieve superior durability results with a | | | | for your business. |
| coated disc. In either case, the printed disc can | | | | Durability |
| withstand modest handling and can endure a | | | | Retransfer print technology results in printed images |
| moderate amount of water and sunlight. However, if | | | | that are scratch proof, water proof, fade resistant |
| the printed disc is going to be handled a lot, you will | | | | and UV protected. The images will look good and last |
| eventually see the effects of abrasion over | | | | the entire life the disc. These durability benefits |
| time.Therefore, direct thermal printing is often used | | | | simply cannot be achieved with direct thermal print |
| for restore discs, backup software copies, monthly | | | | technology. |
| phone and payroll logs,bank statements and | | | | High-quality, Photo-realistic Color Labels |
| whenever one-time use of a disc is the norm. | | | | High print resolution allows thermal retransfer printers |
| Most of the wax-based inks in direct thermal printing | | | | to deliver photo quality images with a level of |
| complete print jobs fairly inexpensively. In the United | | | | sharpness and detail that is not available in other print |
| Sates, the cost of thermal disc printing is under 10 | | | | technologies. Thermal retransfer printers, such as the |
| cents per disc. However, you will not achieve bright | | | | Rimage Everest 600, are able to print from the outer |
| and vibrant labels with this thermal print technology; | | | | edge to the inner hub, talking full advantage of the |
| the ribbons are strictly monocolor (black print on a | | | | disc surface. In addition, retransfer printers are |
| silver or white disc). If you can live with basic, | | | | optimized for computer graphics and large areas of |
| single-color labels, direct thermal disc printing will work | | | | solid color, allowing a variety of color changes and |
| well for you. | | | | gradients to be applied to the disc. |
| Thermal Retransfer Printing | | | | CONCLUSION |
| Your second option for one-at-a-time disc printing is | | | | We've discussed inkjet printing, direct thermal printing |
| thermal retransfer printing. Never heard of thermal | | | | as well as thermal retransfer printing. So, which print |
| retransfer printing? If you are like most folks, there | | | | process is best? The good news is that all three |
| are a couple examples in your wallet right now. The | | | | work and are widely available. You can select the |
| most common use of thermal retransfer printing is | | | | print process and printer based on your needs; and |
| for credit and debit cards. The credit card market, | | | | you don't have to make a certain process work for |
| like much of the optical disc market, requires high | | | | you if the fit just isn't there. However, if you are |
| quality color, high resolution, great durability, | | | | looking for high quality color, high resolution, superior |
| permanence and low cost per print, and thermal | | | | durability, permanence, low cost per print and |
| retransfer printing delivers it all. | | | | photo-realistic labels, you can't deny the outstanding |
| The main difference between thermal retransfer | | | | technology and benefits of thermal retransfer printing. |
| printing and direct thermal printing is that thermal | | | | |