Printers

Identification printers produce labels, receipts, cards and wristbands on demand. They range from desktop label printers for low volumes, to industrial models for continuous printing, belt-worn mobile printers and plastic card printers.

Two technologies dominate: thermal transfer, durable and ribbon-based, and direct thermal, ribbon-free, for short-life labels. Resolution (203, 300 or 600 dpi) is chosen according to how fine the codes and text need to be.