Barcode printers have become an indispensable tool for businesses that need to track and manage their inventory, logistics, and production processes. However, many companies overlook the importance of maintaining and servicing their barcode printers, which can lead to costly breakdowns, lost productivity, and dissatisfied staff. In this article, we will focus on the critical role of thermal transfer printer heads in barcode printing and explain why regular servicing is essential.

The thermal transfer printhead is the heart of a barcode printer, responsible for transferring ink from a ribbon onto the printing surface. As with any other mechanical device, dirt and gum deposits can accumulate on the printer head over time, causing the glass surface to crack and break the delicate print element inside. This results in white lines appearing through labels, making barcodes unreadable and causing frustration and productivity loss for staff.

To prevent such issues, it’s crucial to service printer heads regularly. By scheduling quarterly printer services, you can extend the head’s lifespan, prevent productivity loss, and ensure that consumable parts are present during the servicing.

Our team at Intermax provides printer services that include cleaning, inspection, and the replacement of faulty units at a reduced cost to normal call-out repairs.

Moreover, larger desktop printers tend to accumulate more dust and dirt, which can accelerate wear and tear processes. Dust can cover the white roller, which is in direct contact with the thermal print head, creating an abrasive contact that reduces head life. By acquiring a service contract, you can extend the head’s life by twelve months, ultimately lessening costs in part replacement and productivity.

Here are some images of unserviced printers collected by our team over the years:

In conclusion, neglecting to service your barcode printers, especially the thermal transfer printer head, can result in costly breakdowns, lost productivity, and staff dissatisfaction. By investing in regular servicing and maintenance, you can ensure that your barcode printers function correctly, extend their lifespan, and prevent issues that can hurt your business operations.

Contact Intermax today to learn more about our printer services and how we can help your business.