Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What are Smart Labels?
Smart Labels are thermal labels, originally developed by Seiko Instruments Inc. for its range of Smart Label Printers, introduced in the late 80s. The labels are made from chemically treated paper which turns black when heat is applied.
Thermal printers use a unique print mechanism composed of rows of tiny pins that are heated and then pressed against the paper to create the image. Print quality is measured in dots per inch (dpi). The ratings of most thermal printers are either 200 or 300 dpi.
Q. Which printers use Smart Labels?
The principal brands of label printers using Smart Labels are Seiko Smart Label Printers, Dymo LabelWriters and Brother QL (QuickLabel) Series.
Q. Why can't I use regular thermal labels in these printers?
You can't use ordinary thermal labels in these printers for two reasons:
- Each printer comes with its own software in which the label sizes are pre-programmed.
- The manufacturers use a variety of marks (I-marks) on the back of the label that the printer uses to detect the end of one label and the beginning of the next.
Q. I understand that compatible labels are available for Smart Label Printers?
Yes, Chevron began manufacturing compatible Seiko Smart Labels some years ago and now offers low-cost compatible options for all popular label sizes for Seiko, Dymo and Brother label printers.
Q. What is a Thermal Transfer label?
A thermal transfer label is simply a plain paper or plastic label that needs a thermal transfer ribbon to create the image. This material is the modern equivalent of ‘carbon paper’, still used to make copies of hand-written documents such as receipts and invoices.
The printer uses the same technique as described above, but heats the back of the ribbon to create the transfer of the print image to the label. Depending on the quality required and the expected lifetime of the label, the ribbon can be coated with either wax, wax-resin mixture or pure resin.
Smart Labels are thermal labels, originally developed by Seiko Instruments Inc. for its range of Smart Label Printers, introduced in the late 80s. The labels are made from chemically treated paper which turns black when heat is applied.
Thermal printers use a unique print mechanism composed of rows of tiny pins that are heated and then pressed against the paper to create the image. Print quality is measured in dots per inch (dpi). The ratings of most thermal printers are either 200 or 300 dpi.
Q. Which printers use Smart Labels?
The principal brands of label printers using Smart Labels are Seiko Smart Label Printers, Dymo LabelWriters and Brother QL (QuickLabel) Series.
Q. Why can't I use regular thermal labels in these printers?
You can't use ordinary thermal labels in these printers for two reasons:
- Each printer comes with its own software in which the label sizes are pre-programmed.
- The manufacturers use a variety of marks (I-marks) on the back of the label that the printer uses to detect the end of one label and the beginning of the next.
Q. I understand that compatible labels are available for Smart Label Printers?
Yes, Chevron began manufacturing compatible Seiko Smart Labels some years ago and now offers low-cost compatible options for all popular label sizes for Seiko, Dymo and Brother label printers.
Q. What is a Thermal Transfer label?
A thermal transfer label is simply a plain paper or plastic label that needs a thermal transfer ribbon to create the image. This material is the modern equivalent of ‘carbon paper’, still used to make copies of hand-written documents such as receipts and invoices.
The printer uses the same technique as described above, but heats the back of the ribbon to create the transfer of the print image to the label. Depending on the quality required and the expected lifetime of the label, the ribbon can be coated with either wax, wax-resin mixture or pure resin.