Why the correct combination of printer, toner and a label's print receptive coating is vital for printing your own very durable labels

Why the correct combination of printer, toner and a label's print receptive coating is vital for printing your own very durable labels.

To make a durable synthetic label material such as polyester into a printable label requires a special, computer imprintable, toner receptive coating, for the toner to be fused onto.

Each printer manufacturer has specifically engineered its fusing roller to fuse the 'original' manufacturers toner, at the toner's optimum melt point, which is usually between 190°C - 220°C. This explains why cheaper toner cartridges, that are generic, have been recycled or refilled with toner "to the manufacturers specification", will produce inconsistent or poor quality print with low levels of durability.

True computer imprintable laser labels feature a specially formulated laser imprintable, print receptive coating, engineered to receive toner at most printer manufacturer's toner melt point, for standard, A4, black toner, office type printers.

You must only use 'original' manufacturers toners to achieve excellent label print quality and durability from your laser printer, to resist fluids, oils, petrol, chemicals, mild solvents, abrasion etc.

Click here to get an idea of the types of very durable labels that can be printed using a standard office laser printer.

Cheap entry level laser printers at the bottom of the manufacturers ranges should be avoided as the printing technology and toner combination will be at its most basic and least scientific with inconsistent results on synthetic materials. HP black A4 printers have always been the benchmark for printing onto durable labels.

Black toner copy/print station type laser printers and black toner photocopiers often work, as the printing principle is the same, but on a larger scale. However, the engineering differs tremendously from manufacturer to manufacturer and from model to model, depending on the specific features of the printer, i.e. speed. It is best to ask your label manufacturer for free evaluation samples to validate the print quality and durability.

The process for printing onto durable labels with a colour laser printer is also a very similar process with multiple drums for each of the CMYK colours of the toner. However, there are greater limitations of the label materials that can be printed onto due to the reaction of the greater electrostatic charge in the printing process. Some metallic materials in certain models of printers can be problematic. I will write a separate post on this subject.

This short useful YouTube clip explains how a laser printer works.

What problems do you have printing durable labels through a laser printer?