The Best Wide Format Thermal Transfer Printers on the Market

Thermal transfer printers are used in various industries, including but not limited to retail, shipping and logistics, healthcare, and manufacturing. The most popular thermal transfer printers are designed for printing 4-inch-wide labels. However, there are many applications where you need a wider label, like 6-inch or 8-inch wide. Here’s a look at the best wide format thermal transfer printers in the Canadian market that can print 6-inch and 8-inch wide labels, so you can make an informed decision when shopping for one.

Some considerations before you buy:

• What type of ribbons are required? Industrial thermal printers use ribbons on 1-inch cores, with ink side out or ink side in, depending on the printer model. There are three types of inks available – wax, wax/resin and resin ribbons. Standard paper-based labels use wax ribbons. Synthetic labels and tags will need wax/resin or resin, depending on the durability required.
• Next, are you looking for high performance or low cost? What kind of features do you need? Some thermal transfer printers include Wi-Fi connectivity, rechargeable batteries, healthcare features, and more.
• What type of labels do these printers use? Industrial printers mostly use roll-based labels on 3-inch cores and can generally handle rolls up to 8 inches in diameter. For larger print runs, fanfolded labels are also very popular, since they do not require as frequent roll changes. Check out our thermal transfer labels on 3-inch cores for the size and type available.

Industrial wide format printers are available in 6-inch and 8-inch formats. Here are the best model models available in Canada:

GoDex EZ6250i 6-inch Industrial Thermal Transfer Printer (011-62iF01-001) – This 6-inch industrial printer comes with USB, serial, and Ethernet ports. It prints 203 dpi labels at 7 inches per second. The GoDex EZ6250i accepts 450-meter ribbons (1471′). Godex EZ6250i Ribbons options.

Godex EZ6350i 6-inch Industrial Thermal Transfer Printer (011-63iF01-001) – This 6-inch printer is similar to the GoDex EZ6250i, but it has a higher print resolution of 300 dpi and prints at 5 inches per second. It also accepts 450-meter ribbons (1471′). Godex EZ6350i Ribbons options.

GoDex HD830i 8-inch Industrial Thermal Transfer Printer (011-H83001-000)— The rugged GoDEX HD830i industrial thermal transfer printer is user-friendly and reliable with minimal maintenance. The HD830i has USB, serial, and Ethernet ports and prints at 300 dpi and 4 inches per second. It accepts 300-meter ribbons. With its 8-inch print width, rugged design, and high-performance electronics, the GoDex HD830i is perfect for any large-format industrial printing application. GoDex HD830i Ribbons options.

Toshiba Tec B-EX6T3 6-inch Wide Thermal Transfer Printer (B-EX6T3-GS12-QM-R)— The Toshiba Tec B-EX6T3 is a 6″ wide, 203 dpi thermal transfer printer that prints at 14 ips. It has a LAN and USB interface and uses a flat print head. The ribbon length is 600m. The Toshiba Tec B-EX6T3 is ideal for printing a variety of large labels at high speed. Toshiba Tec B-EX6T3 Ribbon options.

Toshiba Tec B-852 8-inch Wide Thermal Transfer Printer (B-852-TS22-QQ-R) – The Toshiba Tec B-852 is an 8″ wide, 300 dpi thermal transfer printer that prints at 4 ips. It has a Centro/USB/LAN interface. The ribbon length is 984′. The Toshiba Tec B-852 is perfect for printing large labels with high quality and detail. Toshiba Tec B-852 Ribbon options.

TSC MH261T 6-inch Wide Web Industrial Printer (MH261T-A001-0301) – The TSC MH261T thermal transfer label printer is a 6-inch wide, 203 dpi printer that prints at 12 ips. It has a touch display and WiFi capability. This is a fast and capable thermal transfer printer. TSC MH261T Ribbon options.

TSC TTP-384MT 8.6-inch Wide Web Industrial Printer (99-135A001-0011) – Another wide format industrial printer, the TSC TTP-384MT thermal transfer label printer, prints at 300 dpi and 4 ips. With a factory-installed cutter, it is ideal for a variety of printing applications. It uses 600-meter ribbons, which provide extended printing capability without the need to frequently replace the ribbon. TSC TTP-384MT Ribbon options.

Zebra ZT421 6-inch Wide Industrial Thermal transfer printer (ZT42162-T010000Z ) – The Zebra ZT421 is a 6-inch wide, 203 dpi thermal transfer printer that prints at 12 ips. It has USB, serial, and Ethernet ports, as well as a wireless option. The ribbon length is 450m (1476′). The Zebra ZT421 is perfect for high-volume printing applications that require large labels with detailed graphics. Zebra ZT421 Ribbon options.

Zebra 220Xi4 High-Performance Industrial 8-inch Wide Barcode Printer (220-801-00000) – The Zebra 220Xi4 is an industrial-strength 8-inch wide, 203 dpi thermal transfer printer that prints at 10 ips. It has USB, serial, parallel, and Ethernet ports. The ribbon length is 450 meters (1476′). With its large print width and fast printing speed, the Zebra 220Xi4 is ideal for industrial applications that require large labels with detailed graphics. Zebra 220Xi4 Ribbon options.

SATO CL6NX Plus 6-inch Wide Industrial Thermal Transfer Printer (WWCLPA001) – The SATO CL6NX Plus is a 6-inch wide, 203 dpi thermal transfer printer that prints at 10 ips. It has USB, parallel, LAN, RS232, NFC, and external I/O ports. The ribbon length is 600m (1968′). The SATO CL6NX Plus is an outstanding wide printer for industrial applications. SATO CL6NX Ribbon options.

SATO SG112-ex 10.5-inch Wide Industrial Thermal Transfer Printer (WWSG04001) – The widest printer on our list, the SATO SG112-ex is a 10.5-inch wide, 300 dpi thermal transfer printer that prints at 6 ips. It has USB, LAN, serial, and parallel ports. The ribbon length is 984 feet (300m). With its large print width and high print quality, the SATO SG112-ex is another great large-format industrial thermal transfer printer. SATO SG112-ex Ribbon options.

This is just a taste of the best thermal transfer printers currently available. We have a large inventory of thermal transfer printers from major brands like Zebra, SATO, Toshiba, GoDex, and more. If you need help finding the best thermal transfer printer for your application, contact us today, and one of our experts will be happy to assist you.