The reasons for product differentiation of thermal label paper can be discussed from many aspects, mainly including raw materials, production process, coating formula, product specifications, use environment and market demand. Here is a breakdown of these reasons:
1. Differences in raw materials
Paper-based materials: Different manufacturers may use different paper-based materials, such as wood pulp paper, non-wood pulp paper, etc., which differ in cost, thickness, strength, etc., thus affecting the performance of the final product.
Thermal coating materials: thermal coating is a key part of thermal label paper, different manufacturers may use different combinations of color formers, color developers and sensitizers, the proportion and nature of these components will directly affect the printing effect and storage time.
2. Production process differences
Coating process: The accuracy and stability of the coating process will affect the uniformity and thickness of the thermal coating, which in turn affects the print quality and storage time.
Slitting and winding: The slitting width and winding tightness of the product will also affect the use effect and user experience.
3. Coating formulation difference
Thermal formula: Different thermal formulas will lead to different printing effects, such as color depth, clarity, etc. Reasonable formula design can extend the storage time of label paper and improve the printing quality.
Protective coating: The protective coating is an important factor in ensuring the shelf life of the label paper, it can absorb a part of the light that causes the chemical reaction of the hot coating, slow down the deterioration of the printing paper, and protect the printer components from damage.
4. Differences in product specifications
Size: Thermal label paper has a variety of sizes, such as different widths and lengths, to meet the requirements of different application scenarios.
Reel or sheet: The difference in product form will also affect the user experience, such as reel type is more suitable for continuous printing, while sheet type is easy to carry and store.
5. Use environment differences
Temperature and humidity: The use effect of thermal label paper is greatly affected by the ambient temperature and humidity, and the performance of products in different environments may be different.
Chemicals: Certain chemicals may react with the heat-sensitive coating, causing discoloration or damage to the label paper, so the chemicals in the environment are also one of the factors that affect product differentiation.
6. Market demand differences
Industry application: Different industries have different needs for thermal label paper, such as retail, logistics, medical and other industries have different requirements for the size, material and printing effect of label paper.
Personalized demand: With the intensification of market competition, customers' personalized demand for thermal label paper is also getting higher and higher, such as customized patterns, colors, shapes, etc.
In summary, the reasons for product differentiation of thermal label paper mainly include raw materials, production processes, coating formulations, product specifications, use environment and market demand. These factors interact and together constitute the diversity and complexity of the thermal label market.