thermal wax transfer printer

A printer that uses the same printing mechanism as a dye sublimation printer, but rather than laying down a transparent die, it melts dots of wax-based ink that adhere to almost any kind of stock, from ordinary paper to complex synthetics and film.

Thermal transfer printers produce shades of colors by placing color dots side by side (see dithering). Printing faster than dye sublimation, consumables (ribbon and paper) are also less expensive, but do not produce photorealistic quality.

Dual-Mode Printers
Some printers allow swapping of both thermal wax and dye sublimation ribbons so that the wax can be used for draft quality and the dye for final output. See dye sublimation printer for more details on the printing process. See direct thermal printer and printer.

Thermal Transfer Printing

Monochrome ribbons contain a black ink panel the same size as each page being printed, while color ribbons contain panels for each color. When the paper and ribbon are passed by the printhead, the ribbon is heated, and dots of ink are transferred to the paper.

Bar Code Printing

Wax-based ink will adhere to almost any kind of media, making it suitable for bar code and other kinds of labels. This monochrome Printronix printer makes labels on demand or turns out large batches when required. (Image courtesy of Printronix, Inc.)

Dual-Mode Printer

FARGO came out with this dual-mode printer in the mid-1990s. Using a thermal wax ribbon for draft quality and dye sublimation ribbon for final output, the printer supported media up to 12x20". (Image courtesy of FARGO Electronics, Inc.)