{"id":7922,"date":"2021-01-08T19:43:08","date_gmt":"2021-01-08T19:43:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/?p=7922"},"modified":"2023-12-27T20:57:48","modified_gmt":"2023-12-27T20:57:48","slug":"flathead-vs-near-edge-thermal-transfer-printing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/flathead-vs-near-edge-thermal-transfer-printing\/","title":{"rendered":"Flathead vs. Near Edge Thermal Transfer Printing"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-1\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thermal printing utilizes many components that help produce high-quality images and texts in the labeling and printing industries. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The mechanics of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/barcode-101-information\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">these printers operate seamlessly to print barcodes<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, serial numbers, expiration dates, and more for applications like shipping, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/license-plating-for-traceability\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tracking, and identification<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <div class=\"smith-corona-featured-image\">\n\n                <img src=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/fh-ne-article-hero-splash.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"760\" height=\"460\" \/>\n\n            <\/div>\n        <div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-2\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this article, we\u2019re taking a detailed look at two different types of printer technologies, flathead and near edge printing, and how they\u2019re utilized in thermal transfer printing.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-0{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-0 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-1{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-1{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-1{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-1 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><strong>What is a Thermal Print Head?<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><div ><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-1 hover-type-none\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Industrial-Flathead-Printhead-and-Printer-800x533.jpg\" class=\"fusion-lightbox\" data-rel=\"iLightbox[68336d1205c76d620c9]\" data-title=\"Industrial Flathead Print Head and Printer\" title=\"Industrial Flathead Print Head and Printer\"><img width=\"800\" height=\"533\" alt=\"A flathead print head is shown next to an industrial thermal printer\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Industrial-Flathead-Printhead-and-Printer-800x533.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-7974\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Industrial-Flathead-Printhead-and-Printer-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Industrial-Flathead-Printhead-and-Printer-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Industrial-Flathead-Printhead-and-Printer-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Industrial-Flathead-Printhead-and-Printer-800x533.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Industrial-Flathead-Printhead-and-Printer.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1064px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-3\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before we can discuss the differences between flathead and near edge printing, we first need to understand how thermal printing works.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So, what is a thermal print head?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A thermal print head is a device or component that prints using thermally sensitive materials, like thermal paper and ribbon, to transfer ink onto a substrate. It sends electrical signals to initiate a generation of heat to specific areas in order to print on a corresponding image. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-1{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-1 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-2{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-3 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-2 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-2{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-2{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-2 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><strong>How Does Thermal Printing Work?<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-4\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thermal printing involves a heat-sensitive, carbon ribbon. As the ribbon passes over the heated print head, the ink melts and transfers onto the substrate below, creating the desired image or text.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flathead and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">near edge<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> printing refer to two different types of technology utilized in thermal printing, with both offering distinct variations in printing to users.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Simply put, the main difference between the two technologies is the way the print head comes into contact with the ribbon and media it prints on. However, each type affects the print quality, speed, and ribbon used, and can be separately found in certain brands of thermal printers. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Let\u2019s take a look at both the flathead and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">near edge<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> printing, and see why they\u2019re important to thermal printing. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-2{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-2 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-2{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-2 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-2{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-2 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-3{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-4 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-3 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-3{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-3{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-3 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><strong>Flathead Thermal Transfer Printing\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-2 hover-type-none\"><img width=\"600\" height=\"429\" title=\"Flathead Print Image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Flathead-Print-Image-600x429.png\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-7928\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Flathead-Print-Image-200x143.png 200w, https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Flathead-Print-Image-400x286.png 400w, https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Flathead-Print-Image-600x429.png 600w, https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Flathead-Print-Image-800x571.png 800w, https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/Flathead-Print-Image-1200x857.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1064px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-5\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For flathead thermal printing, the print head is fixed in a horizontal position. It lays flat against the ribbon and media with the heating elements localized in the center of the print head. As the ribbon passes over the heated thermal print head, it transfers ink onto the media.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both the ribbon and media move together for a short distance after, giving the ink time to cool and solidify. This means that for this type of thermal printing, the substrate and ribbon come into contact with the print head for a longer period of time.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flathead thermal transfer is the more traditional choice for thermal printing technology, making it more commonly found in printers on the market. Flathead printing operates best in medium volume sized printers, which includes all industrial and most desktop printers.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Known brands that use flathead printing include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zebra<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sato<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Honeywell<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Datamax<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avery Dennison<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flathead printing is able to utilize black ribbons for printing multiple applications on multiple kinds of ribbon material, such as wax, wax\/resin, and resin. It is able to be used on paper materials <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">as well as synthetic substrates, like <a href=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/polypropylene-bopp-labels\/\">polypropylene<\/a><\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, polyester, and vinyl.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Flathead printing supports slower print speeds more easily, around 14ips or inches per second, on average. While it does require less maintenance than near edge printing, users should still be mindful of regular print head maintenance in order to prolong the print quality and print head life. We\u2019ll discuss this more a little later on.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-3{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-3 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-3{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-3 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-3{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-3 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-4{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-5 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-4 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-4{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-4{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-4 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><strong>Near Edge Thermal Transfer Printing<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-3 hover-type-none\"><img width=\"600\" height=\"429\" title=\"NearEdge Printhead Image\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/NearEdge-Printhead-Image-600x429.png\" alt class=\"img-responsive wp-image-7933\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/NearEdge-Printhead-Image-200x143.png 200w, https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/NearEdge-Printhead-Image-400x286.png 400w, https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/NearEdge-Printhead-Image-600x429.png 600w, https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/NearEdge-Printhead-Image-800x571.png 800w, https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/NearEdge-Printhead-Image-1200x857.png 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1064px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:15px;margin-bottom:15px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-6\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While it isn\u2019t as common and costs a little more than flathead, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">near edge<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> printing is still beneficial to thermal printing technology.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With this type of printing, the thermal print head is angled at 45 degrees, which is often why <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">near edge<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is referred to as \u201cfloating head\u201d or \u201ccorner edge\u201d in the printing industry.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The substrate comes into brief contact with the ribbon as it passes under the heated print head, making the transfer of ink onto the substrate instant. Because of this, the distance between where the image is printed and where the ribbon separate from each other is shorter than with flathead printing. The angle also allows the print head to cool down between prints, preventing a continuous rise in temperature, which in turn reduces print head wear.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Near edge<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> printing requires a specific ribbon type in order to print. The ribbon material is limited to wax resin and resin, and must contain a release layer for the ink to quickly detach from the ribbon and transfer onto the substrate. However, this type of thermal printing is able to accommodate colored ribbons besides black, such as white, red, and green.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Known brands that use near edge printing include:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Toshiba TEC<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bell-Mark<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Avery Novexx (tag printing)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Markem &amp; Videojet<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Datamax<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Products printed with near edge print heads are typically not applied by hand. The printer is set up next to an assembly line, and as the products move along a conveyor belt, the image or text is quickly printed onto the surface area.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-4{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-4 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-4{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-4 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-4{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-4 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-5{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-6 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-5 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-5{margin-top:8px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:8px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-5{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-5 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three\" style=\"margin-top:8px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0px;\"><h3 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><strong>Which Printers Use These Print Heads<\/strong><\/h3><\/div>\n<div class=\"table-1\">\n<table style=\"height: 279px;\" width=\"741\">\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<th style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"left\"><strong>Thermal Printers<\/strong><\/th>\n<th style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"left\"><strong>Flathead<\/strong><\/th>\n<th style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"left\"><strong>Near Edge<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\"><strong>Zebra<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"left\"><strong>\u03a7<\/strong><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\"><strong>Sato<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"left\"><strong>\u03a7<\/strong><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\"><strong>Honeywell<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"left\"><strong>\u03a7<\/strong><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\"><strong>Datamax<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"left\"><strong>\u03a7<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"left\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\"><strong>Avery Dennison<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"left\"><strong>\u03a7<\/strong><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"left\"><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\"><strong>Toshiba TEC<\/strong><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"left\"><strong>\u03a7<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\"><strong>Bell-Mark<\/strong><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"left\"><strong>\u03a7<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\"><strong>Avery Novexx<\/strong><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"left\"><strong>\u03a7<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\"><strong>Markem &amp; Videojet<\/strong><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"left\"><strong>\u03a7<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td align=\"left\"><strong>Datamax<\/strong><\/td>\n<td align=\"left\"><\/td>\n<td style=\"text-align: center;\" align=\"left\"><strong>\u03a7<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-5{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-5 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-5{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-5 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-5{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-5 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-6{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-7 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-6 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-6{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-6{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-6 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><strong>Why Use Near Edge Printing?<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-7\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">So if it\u2019s not a standard form of printing, why is <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">near edge<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> printing even used? There are actually several benefits that come from using <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">near edge<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> print heads that make it a great advantage in print production for certain industries and products. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-6{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-6 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-6{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-6 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-6{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-6 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-7{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-8 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-7 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-7{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-7{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-7 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h3 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><strong>Faster Speeds<\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-8\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Primarily, it is used to achieve fast print speeds while maintaining high quality printing. Printers that utilize <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">near edge<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> print heads can operate at more than double the speeds which are considered fast for other printers, generally between 25-40ips. This also helps to maximize productivity.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-7{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-7 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-7{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-7 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-7{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-7 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-8{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-9 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-8 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-8{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-8{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-8 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h3 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><strong>Multiple Substrate Materials\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-9\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Near edge<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> print heads are also able to print on a wide range of substrate materials. With <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">near edge<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> printing, because the print head \u201cfloats\u201d, it doesn\u2019t require any necessary adjustment for media thickness and automatically calibrates to the substrate being printed. This helps to drastically reduce set-up time and allows for faster and more efficient production. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-8{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-8 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-8{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-8 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-8{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-8 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-9{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-10 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-9 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-9{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-9{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-9 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h3 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><strong>Minimalistic\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-10\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Near edge<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> printing operates for the purpose of eliminating waste by using less supplies on a maximum number of products. It is a more efficient way to print on materials that might not hold up to label applications or that require very small fonts to be placed directly on products. Because of the angled thermal print head and the instant transference of ink, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">near edge<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> stops the ribbon when printing is not needed, ultimately saving ribbon on usage. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-9{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-9 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-9{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-9 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-9{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-9 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-10{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-11 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-10 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-10{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-10{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-10 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><strong>Flathead &amp; Near Edge Applications<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-11\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Since we\u2019ve discussed the details of flathead and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">near edge<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> printing, it is also important to look at how they are being applied. The mechanisms of each technology offer different advantages and disadvantages to applications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-10{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-10 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-10{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-10 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-10{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-10 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-11{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-12 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-11 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-11{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-11{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-11 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h3 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><strong>Flathead Applications<\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-4 hover-type-none\"><img width=\"800\" height=\"500\" alt=\"A barcode label printed using a flat head thermal printer is placed on a cardboard box\" title=\"Flathead Applications\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/663A2612-e1610129312414-800x500.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-7208\"\/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:15px;margin-bottom:15px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-12\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because it is a standard form of printing, flathead print heads are utilized for most methods of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/direct-thermal-vs-thermal-transfer-labels\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">thermal transfer printing<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. These include printing on paper and non-paper substrates that require a lot of print definition and resolution. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-11{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-11 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-11{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-11 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-11{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-11 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-12{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-13 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-12 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-12{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-12{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-12 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-three\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h3 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><strong>Near Edge Applications\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3><\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-5 hover-type-none\"><img width=\"800\" height=\"340\" alt=\"A close up image of an expiration date printed on a bag of potato chips printed with a near edge thermal printer\" title=\"Near Edge Application\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/chips-800x340.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-7949\"\/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-13\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Near edge<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> printing can be found on consumer products. These include items in the food and beverage industry for applications like expiration dates on packages. Soft, flexible material, like plastic and apparel fabrics, are utilized with <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">near edge<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> printing as well. <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-12{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-12 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-12{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-12 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-12{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-12 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-13{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><div class=\"fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-14 fusion-flex-container nonhundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling\" style=\"background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);background-position: center center;background-repeat: no-repeat;border-width: 0px 0px 0px 0px;border-color:#eae9e9;border-style:solid;\" ><div class=\"fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start\" style=\"max-width:1144px;margin-left: calc(-4% \/ 2 );margin-right: calc(-4% \/ 2 );\"><div class=\"fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-13 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column\"><div class=\"fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column\" style=\"background-position:left top;background-repeat:no-repeat;-webkit-background-size:cover;-moz-background-size:cover;-o-background-size:cover;background-size:cover;padding: 0px 0px 0px 0px;\"><style type=\"text\/css\">@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-13{margin-top:5px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:10px!important;margin-left:0px!important;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-title.fusion-title-13{margin-top:0px!important; margin-right:0px!important;margin-bottom:20px!important; margin-left:0px!important;}}<\/style><div class=\"fusion-title title fusion-title-13 fusion-sep-none fusion-title-text fusion-title-size-two\" style=\"margin-top:5px;margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:10px;margin-left:0px;\"><h2 class=\"title-heading-left\" style=\"margin:0;\"><strong>Print Head Cleaning &amp; Maintenance\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2><\/div><div style=\"text-align:center;\"><span class=\" fusion-imageframe imageframe-none imageframe-6 hover-type-none\"><img width=\"800\" height=\"476\" alt=\"A cleaning card with isopropyl alcohol is used to clean the print head on an industrial printer\" title=\"Properly Clean a Thermal Print Head\" src=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/63A4655-e1610130020515-800x476.jpg\" class=\"img-responsive wp-image-7937\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/63A4655-e1610130020515-200x119.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/63A4655-e1610130020515-400x238.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/63A4655-e1610130020515-600x357.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/63A4655-e1610130020515-800x476.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/63A4655-e1610130020515.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1064px) 100vw, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/span><\/div><div class=\"fusion-separator fusion-full-width-sep\" style=\"align-self: center;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;margin-top:5px;margin-bottom:5px;width:100%;\"><\/div><div class=\"fusion-text fusion-text-14\"><p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The thermal print head is undoubtedly the most crucial part of a thermal printer. Failing to properly clean and maintain your print head will result in a less than desirable print quality, which can lead to losses in operational time and resources. It can also lead to more frequent print head replacements, which can rack up costs quickly as they are expensive to buy. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/how-to-clean-printhead-on-an-industrial-printer\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regularly cleaning your thermal printer<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> when necessary will help ensure high print quality and consistent print performance. Most problems with poor print quality can often be resolved by maintaining proper use and care of your thermal printer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Some companies will provide cleaning supplies, such as cards or swabs saturated in alcohol, with their printer when purchased.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, if this is not an option, users can also utilize a microfiber rag dampened with 70% isopropyl alcohol to remove any ink residue on the print head.\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-13{width:100% !important;margin-top : 0px;margin-bottom : 20px;}.fusion-builder-column-13 > .fusion-column-wrapper {padding-top : 0px !important;padding-right : 0px !important;margin-right : 1.92%;padding-bottom : 0px !important;padding-left : 0px !important;margin-left : 1.92%;}@media only screen and (max-width:1064px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-13{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-13 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}@media only screen and (max-width:640px) {.fusion-body .fusion-builder-column-13{width:100% !important;order : 0;}.fusion-builder-column-13 > .fusion-column-wrapper {margin-right : 1.92%;margin-left : 1.92%;}}<\/style><\/div><\/div><style type=\"text\/css\">.fusion-body .fusion-flex-container.fusion-builder-row-14{ padding-top : 0px;margin-top : 0px;padding-right : 0px;padding-bottom : 0px;margin-bottom : 0px;padding-left : 0px;}<\/style><\/div><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Thermal printer brands are known to use specific types of technology: either flathead or near edge. Depending on your industry or the products you make will determine which is useful. That&#8217;s because these technologies offer certain advantages that can be utilized with different materials and substrates. Do you know which one your business needs?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13,"featured_media":12543,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[77],"tags":[],"acf":{"theme_color":"","estimated_reading_time":6,"include_in_most_popular_sidebar":false,"hero_splash_image":12541,"grid_listing_thumbnail":12542,"sidebar_most_popular_thumbnail":12544},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v19.7.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Flathead vs. Near Edge Thermal Transfer Printing - Barcode Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Flathead and near edge printing use a device called a thermal print head that heats up and melts carbon-based ribbon onto a substrate.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/flathead-vs-near-edge-thermal-transfer-printing\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Flathead vs. Near Edge Thermal Transfer Printing - Barcode Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Flathead and near edge printing use a device called a thermal print head that heats up and melts carbon-based ribbon onto a substrate.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/flathead-vs-near-edge-thermal-transfer-printing\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Barcode Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/smithcoronalabels\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2021-01-08T19:43:08+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2023-12-27T20:57:48+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/09\/fh-ne-article-hero-splash.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"760\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"460\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Alaina D&#039;Altorio\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@sclabels\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@sclabels\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Alaina D'Altorio\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"23 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/flathead-vs-near-edge-thermal-transfer-printing\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/flathead-vs-near-edge-thermal-transfer-printing\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Alaina D'Altorio\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/1b9fc3da02d7f7eb09679c7abc90ba43\"},\"headline\":\"Flathead vs. Near Edge Thermal Transfer Printing\",\"datePublished\":\"2021-01-08T19:43:08+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2023-12-27T20:57:48+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/flathead-vs-near-edge-thermal-transfer-printing\/\"},\"wordCount\":11324,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.smithcorona.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"articleSection\":[\"Labeling &amp; 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