What is a Thermal Inkjet Printer and How Does It Work?

A thermal inkjet printer, also known as a TIJ printer, is a non-contact form of applying ink onto almost any surface. Usually, surfaces of products and packages in the manufacturing or production environment.

TIJ printers use ink cartridges, unlike continuous inkjet (CIJ) printers, which use ink filled containers and solvents (make up). There are many other differences between TIJ and CIJ printers, but for this article, we are focusing on how a thermal inkjet printer works.

You don’t need to know how electricity works to turn on a light, but it helps to understand the basics of the workings of a thermal inkjet printer, primarily because it gives you more opportunities to get the most life out of your printer and get the best possible print quality.

Thermal inkjet printers use a drop ejection process, storing ink in a cartridge that regulates the pressure of the fluid. This is the process of what the thermal inkjet printer does in the following steps, A through D:

1. The Printer Heats the Ink – The ink is delivered by the cartridge to a chamber. Electric resistors heat the ink at a rate of 1,800,032°F (1,000,000° C) per second.
2. The Printer Generates a Bubble – When the ink reaches a temperature of 644°F (340°C), the ink is vaporized and creates a bubble.
3. The Printer Propels the Ink – As the bubble expands, the ink droplet is propelled from the chamber and out of the nozzle. This is why you hear “jet” a lot!
4. The Printer Collapses the Bubble – The droplet breaks away from the nozzle and onto the printing surface, the bubble it was propelled by collapses. This creates a vacuum effect that pulls more ink into the chamber, and the entire process repeats.

 

The Benefits of a Thermal Inkjet Printer

• High Quality Print – ensure legibility with high-resolution, up to 600 dots per inch (DPI), assuring the best quality text, graphics, 1D & 2D barcodes
• Zero Maintenance – Every time you change an ink cartridge, you get a brand new printhead, eliminating the need for any flushing.
• Handheld or Inline – The ability to use a durable printer you can hold in your hand or easily mount on a conveyor gives you flexibility and ease of use.

 

What Can You Print On with a Thermal Inkjet Printer?

There are various thermal inkjet printer types with a variety of inks that can accomplish printing on any of the following surfaces

1. Porous material: paper, cardboard, sponge, wood
2. Semi-porous material: waxy surfaces, concrete, coated paper
3. Non-porous material: plastic, metal, glass, coated wood

 

Where Do You Find the Best Thermal Inkjet Printer?

Your manufacturing, production or packaging process will determine the right printer and ink for you and your organization. You have a team of experts at your fingertips here at AMI to help guide you get the most value and best thermal inkjet printer for you.

To learn more about how a thermal inkjet printer works or to get a team member in your corner, contact AMI today or call 800-345-6667.