Thermal Dispensing Printer in Use at Port Appin

Another excellent use of thermal printers is for dispensing labels. A number of dispensing practices including Port Appin (see photograph) have thrown out their clumsy, unreliable dot matrix printers and replaced them with Zebra TLP2844 printers. They provide high quality, durable labels quickly as well as having the added advantage of being much quieter in operation. Dr Kate Howlett says " Having the thermal printer has made quite a difference to our dispensing area - we can hear ourselves think!"

The TLP2844 printer operates in a similar fashion to the LP2824 printers used for lab labelling purposes. The main difference, apart from being able to print wider labels is that unlike the LP2824 printer, it uses plain labels and a ribbon. This is important. It means that the image on the labels is completely stable. It will still be readable for years.

This contrasts with the labels used in the LP2824 which are "direct thermal", i.e. there is no ribbon, the ink is already in the paper, just like old fashioned fax paper. This also means that like old fashioned fax paper, the image will fade over time. This is especially so if left on a window ledge in the sun ... like boxes of pills?! We recommend printing dispensing labels which are durable - avoids uncertainties!

The printers are very inexpensive, considering their capabilities at £349 and we also stock a range of labels suitable for dispensing purposes, as well as ribbons of course.