User`s manual

Sprinter User's Manual 2-1
2 Overview
Thermal Transfer Printing Technology
The SprinterB Printer uses Thermal Transfer Printing Technology. It has a
solid-state print head with no moving parts. Similar to fax machines, the
print head has 400 "micro hot spots" per inch arrayed horizontally across
the print head. As the substrate passes under the print head, the "micro
hot spots" are turned on and off to create the image on the substrate.
Direct Thermal Printing
The substrate can be thermally sensitive (like fax paper), in which case no
Ribbons are needed. The "micro hot spots" develop a high-resolution image
right on the substrate directly. This is called direct thermal printing.
Thermal Transfer Printing
Alternatively, the four Ribbons of the basic YMCK colors can be loaded in
the printer, between the print head and the substrate. The ribbon is thin
film mylar, with an ink surface. As the substrate and ribbon pass under
the print head, the "micro hot spots" on the print head melt the ink off the
mylar ribbon and transfer it to the substrate. This is called thermal
transfer printing.
Figure 2-1: Thermal Transfer Printing
This technology is employed where high resolution, detailed printing is
required and high durability is needed.
YMCK
The combination of Yellow Magenta, Cyan & Black forms ‘color print’. YMC
is a subtractive mixture, in other words, YMC is the three primary colors of
paints. The Black is a supplemental color, because for printing, YMC is
unable to produce a pure Black. This is called the ‘Four Color Process’.