WEBVTT 00:00.000 --> 00:02.240 All right, so have you ever like, 00:02.240 --> 00:05.280 really thought about barcodes? 00:05.280 --> 00:07.720 Uh, probably not as much as we have. 00:07.720 --> 00:09.160 Yeah, I mean, they're everywhere, 00:09.160 --> 00:11.400 but you know, kinda blend into the background, right? 00:11.400 --> 00:13.840 Exactly, but that little barcode, 00:13.840 --> 00:15.600 that's a powerful piece of tech. 00:15.600 --> 00:17.200 Seriously powerful, think about it. 00:17.200 --> 00:22.200 Logistics, retail, healthcare, all running on these things. 00:22.640 --> 00:25.440 And picking the right printer to make those barcodes. 00:25.440 --> 00:26.800 That's what we're diving into today. 00:26.800 --> 00:29.600 Thermal versus inkjet, the two big players. 00:29.640 --> 00:33.040 And we've gone deep, folks, like industry reports, research. 00:33.040 --> 00:34.720 The real deal, we wanna equip you 00:34.720 --> 00:36.680 to make the right choice for your needs, 00:36.680 --> 00:38.480 not just some theoretical stuff. 00:38.480 --> 00:39.880 Absolutely, so by the end of this, 00:39.880 --> 00:42.560 you'll walk into any barcode printer convo like a boss. 00:42.560 --> 00:43.680 Exactly. 00:43.680 --> 00:45.080 But first gotta start with the basics, 00:45.080 --> 00:47.160 like what actually are these printers, how do they work? 00:47.160 --> 00:48.920 Let's break it down, thermal printers, 00:48.920 --> 00:52.440 imagine like burning an image onto a label. 00:52.440 --> 00:54.340 Burning, with like a laser? 00:54.340 --> 00:55.740 No, no lasers, it's heat, 00:55.740 --> 00:57.220 they use a special heated print head, 00:57.260 --> 01:00.500 it reacts with heat-sensitive paper. 01:00.500 --> 01:01.740 So no ink cartridges? 01:01.740 --> 01:05.220 Nope, no ink, no mess, just heat doing its thing. 01:05.220 --> 01:07.780 Okay, so like those receipts you get at the grocery store 01:07.780 --> 01:09.300 that fade over time. 01:09.300 --> 01:12.100 Similar, but there are different grades 01:12.100 --> 01:13.940 of that heat-sensitive paper, you know? 01:13.940 --> 01:15.820 Ah, so some are tougher than others. 01:15.820 --> 01:18.860 You got it, some are for short-term, like receipts, 01:18.860 --> 01:22.620 others can last for years, even in like rough conditions. 01:22.620 --> 01:24.260 So that's why they're big for warehouses and stuff. 01:24.260 --> 01:28.100 Exactly, asset tracking warehouse labels durability is key. 01:28.100 --> 01:30.140 Makes sense, you don't want barcodes fading 01:30.140 --> 01:31.980 when you're trying to track a whole shipment, right? 01:31.980 --> 01:32.820 Right. 01:32.820 --> 01:33.780 Now, what about speed? 01:33.780 --> 01:36.220 I've heard thermal printers are fast. 01:36.220 --> 01:38.380 Oh, they are, some can print up to like 01:38.380 --> 01:40.380 230 millimeters per second. 01:40.380 --> 01:43.380 Whoa, hold up, how much is that in like normal terms? 01:43.380 --> 01:45.580 Imagine printing a standard shipping label 01:45.580 --> 01:46.740 in less than a second. 01:46.740 --> 01:48.780 No way, that's gotta be huge 01:48.780 --> 01:51.140 for places that are shipping tons of stuff. 01:51.180 --> 01:55.020 Huge, time is money in those high-volume operations. 01:55.020 --> 01:57.740 And no ink cartridges means saving money there too, right? 01:57.740 --> 02:01.780 Exactly, no recurring ink costs adds up big time, 02:01.780 --> 02:03.460 especially over the long haul. 02:03.460 --> 02:05.860 Okay, so speed, cost efficiency. 02:05.860 --> 02:07.700 Sounds like thermal's winning so far. 02:07.700 --> 02:08.700 What's the downside? 02:08.700 --> 02:13.140 Well, they're great for like simple black and white barcodes, 02:13.140 --> 02:16.300 but not so much for color or super detailed images. 02:16.300 --> 02:18.140 Ah, so if you need a fancy logo or something. 02:18.140 --> 02:19.780 Yeah, thermal's not your best bet. 02:19.780 --> 02:21.260 Inkjet would be better there. 02:21.260 --> 02:23.460 Inkjet, like our regular printers at home. 02:23.460 --> 02:26.100 Yep, uses liquid ink to make the images. 02:26.100 --> 02:29.660 So basically the opposite of thermal, slower, but fancier. 02:29.660 --> 02:32.620 Pretty much, inkjet gives you that full color, 02:32.620 --> 02:35.140 high resolution stuff, like think product labels 02:35.140 --> 02:36.300 with branding or- 02:36.300 --> 02:37.820 Or like in hospitals, right? 02:37.820 --> 02:38.660 Yeah. 02:38.660 --> 02:40.140 They use color-coded labels for different meds. 02:40.140 --> 02:42.980 Exactly, color can be key for information, 02:42.980 --> 02:44.380 not just looking pretty. 02:44.380 --> 02:45.980 But I bet those fancy inkjets 02:45.980 --> 02:47.460 come with a fancy price tag, huh? 02:47.460 --> 02:49.100 They do tend to be pricier, 02:49.100 --> 02:51.980 and those ink cartridges can get expensive. 02:51.980 --> 02:53.380 Plus slower, like you said. 02:53.380 --> 02:55.020 So it's all about what you need it for, really. 02:55.020 --> 02:57.380 Exactly, simple, high volume. 02:57.380 --> 02:58.940 Thermal's probably your winner. 02:58.940 --> 03:01.660 Meet color, detail, inkjet's the way to go. 03:01.660 --> 03:03.020 Makes sense. 03:03.020 --> 03:06.060 Okay, so we've covered how they work, the pros and cons. 03:06.060 --> 03:08.300 I feel like I'm getting a barcode PhD here. 03:08.300 --> 03:10.580 Ha ha, well, we're not done yet. 03:10.580 --> 03:12.820 There's a lot more to this than meets the eye. 03:12.820 --> 03:14.940 Like have you considered the paper itself? 03:14.940 --> 03:17.140 The paper, I thought it's just, you know, paper. 03:17.140 --> 03:18.780 Oh, it gets much deeper than that. 03:18.780 --> 03:21.460 Think of it like choosing tires for your car. 03:21.460 --> 03:22.380 Tires, okay. 03:22.380 --> 03:23.620 No, I'm really lost. 03:23.620 --> 03:24.460 Hear me out. 03:24.460 --> 03:26.540 You pick tires based on where you're driving, right? 03:26.540 --> 03:29.740 Yeah, off-roading, snow, different needs. 03:29.740 --> 03:31.060 Same with thermal paper. 03:31.060 --> 03:34.580 Durability, cost, the type of coating, it all matters. 03:34.580 --> 03:35.940 Okay, I'm intrigued. 03:35.940 --> 03:36.780 Lay it on me. 03:36.780 --> 03:38.420 What kind of thermal paper options are out there? 03:38.420 --> 03:41.900 So let's start with the basic one, direct thermal paper. 03:41.900 --> 03:45.780 Cost effective, used for receipts, shipping labels, 03:45.780 --> 03:47.620 things that don't need to last forever. 03:47.660 --> 03:49.060 Ah, makes sense. 03:49.060 --> 03:51.100 Like those receipts that fade after a while. 03:51.100 --> 03:53.940 Yeah, the image is made directly on the paper surface. 03:53.940 --> 03:54.940 That's why they fade. 03:54.940 --> 03:55.780 Got it. 03:55.780 --> 03:58.660 So what about those super durable warehouse labels 03:58.660 --> 03:59.580 we talked about? 03:59.580 --> 04:01.420 That's where thermal transfer paper comes in. 04:01.420 --> 04:02.740 Thermal transfer, huh? 04:02.740 --> 04:03.660 Fancy name. 04:03.660 --> 04:05.020 What's so special about it? 04:05.020 --> 04:08.340 It's got this special coating that reacts to heat, 04:08.340 --> 04:10.060 but from a ribbon. 04:10.060 --> 04:12.740 So the image gets transferred onto the paper. 04:12.740 --> 04:15.100 From a ribbon, like those old school typewriters? 04:15.100 --> 04:17.180 Kinda, it's like the ribbon is the ink 04:17.740 --> 04:20.100 and the heat melts it onto the paper. 04:20.100 --> 04:21.700 Wow, technology is weird. 04:21.700 --> 04:23.100 So is that what makes it so tough? 04:23.100 --> 04:25.100 Yeah, it makes it way more durable. 04:25.100 --> 04:27.620 Scratch resistant, can handle rough environments. 04:27.620 --> 04:29.780 Like think about labels that get exposed to 04:29.780 --> 04:32.300 sunlight, water, even chemicals. 04:32.300 --> 04:33.700 Wow, that's hardcore. 04:33.700 --> 04:34.540 It is. 04:34.540 --> 04:36.340 Thermal transfer is the way to go 04:36.340 --> 04:38.020 if you need that extra toughness. 04:38.020 --> 04:40.660 Okay, so choosing the right paper is a big deal too then. 04:40.660 --> 04:41.980 Not just the printer itself. 04:41.980 --> 04:43.220 Exactly. 04:43.220 --> 04:45.180 Kinda think about where those labels will be used, 04:45.180 --> 04:46.780 how long they need to last. 04:47.300 --> 04:49.740 All right, so we've covered how they work, the paper. 04:49.740 --> 04:52.820 My brain is officially full of barcode knowledge. 04:52.820 --> 04:54.180 Glad to hear it. 04:54.180 --> 04:55.620 But hold on, we're just getting started. 04:55.620 --> 04:57.340 Now let's see how all this actually plays out 04:57.340 --> 04:58.740 in different industries. 04:58.740 --> 05:00.220 Some real world examples. 05:00.220 --> 05:02.140 Ooh, I love a good case study. 05:02.140 --> 05:02.980 Hit me. 05:02.980 --> 05:04.860 All right, let's start with something we all know. 05:04.860 --> 05:06.060 Retail. 05:06.060 --> 05:09.860 You're at the checkout, the cashier scans your stuff. 05:09.860 --> 05:11.180 That beep, you hear. 05:11.180 --> 05:12.540 A barcode being read. 05:13.420 --> 05:15.660 And probably printed on a thermal printer, right? 05:15.660 --> 05:16.540 You got it. 05:17.300 --> 05:18.620 It's all about speed and efficiency there. 05:18.620 --> 05:21.020 Can't have people waiting forever for a receipt. 05:21.020 --> 05:22.460 Nope, every second counts. 05:22.460 --> 05:24.900 Exactly, and those receipts don't need to last forever, 05:24.900 --> 05:27.060 so direct thermal paper is perfect. 05:27.060 --> 05:28.260 Cheap and cheerful. 05:28.260 --> 05:30.420 Now what about like a warehouse? 05:30.420 --> 05:31.620 Totally different vibe there. 05:31.620 --> 05:32.460 Totally. 05:32.460 --> 05:36.100 Imagine rows of shelves, tons of products. 05:36.100 --> 05:39.180 Every single one with a barcode. 05:39.180 --> 05:40.660 And those labels gotta be tough, right? 05:40.660 --> 05:41.500 Yeah. 05:41.500 --> 05:44.060 All that moving stuff around, boxes bumping into each other. 05:44.060 --> 05:45.900 Exactly, durability is key. 05:45.980 --> 05:49.540 They need to be scanned accurately for months, even years. 05:49.540 --> 05:51.540 So thermal transfer paper for the win. 05:51.540 --> 05:52.380 You got it. 05:52.380 --> 05:55.220 Keeps everything organized and tracked perfectly. 05:55.220 --> 05:56.780 Thermal transfer printers are like 05:56.780 --> 05:58.980 the unsung heroes of the warehouse. 05:58.980 --> 05:59.820 Love it. 05:59.820 --> 06:01.780 Okay, so we got retail, warehousing. 06:01.780 --> 06:03.580 What other industries are big on barcodes? 06:03.580 --> 06:04.420 Healthcare. 06:04.420 --> 06:07.420 Think about patient wristbands, medication labels, 06:07.420 --> 06:09.020 all those lab samples. 06:09.020 --> 06:11.300 Yeah, barcodes literally everywhere in hospitals. 06:11.300 --> 06:13.500 And accuracy is so important there. 06:13.500 --> 06:16.820 No room for mistakes with patient info or meds. 06:16.820 --> 06:18.500 And they use color a lot too. 06:18.500 --> 06:21.380 Different colors for different meds, allergy alerts. 06:21.380 --> 06:23.140 So inkjet's important in healthcare. 06:23.140 --> 06:26.300 Huge, it's all about clear, accurate information 06:26.300 --> 06:27.900 to keep patients safe. 06:27.900 --> 06:29.700 This is blowing my mind. 06:29.700 --> 06:31.860 Never realized how much thought goes 06:31.860 --> 06:34.220 into picking the right barcode tech. 06:34.220 --> 06:37.300 It's more complex than it seems, but that's why we're here. 06:37.300 --> 06:39.660 And hey, speaking of complex, 06:39.660 --> 06:42.140 have you considered the environmental impact of all this? 06:42.180 --> 06:43.940 Ooh, good point. 06:43.940 --> 06:45.700 I'm all about being eco-friendly. 06:45.700 --> 06:46.540 Tell me more. 06:46.540 --> 06:49.620 Well, with thermal printing, the main thing is the paper. 06:49.620 --> 06:51.180 The paper, what's wrong with the paper? 06:51.180 --> 06:53.620 Traditional thermal paper has this chemical, 06:53.620 --> 06:56.220 bisphenol A, BPA, you might've heard of it. 06:56.220 --> 06:58.020 Oh yeah, like in plastic bottles and stuff. 06:58.020 --> 06:59.540 Didn't realize it was in paper too. 06:59.540 --> 07:01.180 It's pretty common, unfortunately. 07:01.180 --> 07:03.140 But the good news is there's a movement 07:03.140 --> 07:05.700 towards BPA-free thermal paper. 07:05.700 --> 07:07.060 Ooh, that's good to hear. 07:07.060 --> 07:10.660 So what should I look for if I want that eco-friendly option? 07:10.660 --> 07:14.420 Look for labels that say BPA-free or phenol-free, 07:14.420 --> 07:17.180 just as good, but way better for the planet. 07:17.180 --> 07:18.220 Awesome. 07:18.220 --> 07:19.500 What about inkjet printing? 07:19.500 --> 07:21.500 Any environmental concerns there? 07:21.500 --> 07:23.940 Yeah, inkjet has its own challenges. 07:23.940 --> 07:25.700 The cartridges can be wasteful, 07:25.700 --> 07:28.820 and the inks sometimes have these things called VOCs, 07:28.820 --> 07:31.100 volatile organic compounds. 07:31.100 --> 07:31.940 Sounds scary. 07:31.940 --> 07:35.300 They can contribute to air pollution, not ideal. 07:35.300 --> 07:38.460 So it's about the whole process, really, not just the paper. 07:38.460 --> 07:41.980 Exactly, cartridge recycling programs, eco-friendly inks, 07:41.980 --> 07:42.980 it all adds up. 07:42.980 --> 07:44.140 This is so interesting. 07:44.140 --> 07:47.940 I feel like I've gone from barcode zero to barcode hero. 07:47.940 --> 07:49.180 That's what we like to hear. 07:49.180 --> 07:52.300 We've gone from the basics to the nitty-gritty details. 07:52.300 --> 07:53.780 And I'm actually gonna use this knowledge. 07:53.780 --> 07:54.780 Next time I'm at the store, 07:54.780 --> 07:57.100 I'll be looking at those receipts like a barcode detective. 07:57.100 --> 07:58.620 Uh-huh, love it. 07:58.620 --> 08:01.140 But before we wrap up, one last thought. 08:01.140 --> 08:02.820 Technology's always changing, right? 08:02.820 --> 08:05.860 What if we had printers that combined the best of both worlds? 08:05.860 --> 08:08.620 Like a thermal inkjet hybrid super printer. 08:08.620 --> 08:11.300 Exactly, speed and efficiency of thermal 08:11.300 --> 08:13.220 with the color and detail of inkjet, 08:13.220 --> 08:14.900 and eco-friendly to boot. 08:14.900 --> 08:15.860 Now that would be awesome. 08:15.860 --> 08:16.700 It really would. 08:16.700 --> 08:18.060 So everyone listening, 08:18.060 --> 08:20.700 keep an eye out for those next-gen printers. 08:20.700 --> 08:22.700 And in the meantime, remember, 08:22.700 --> 08:26.140 choosing the right tech is all about knowing your needs. 08:26.140 --> 08:27.900 Couldn't have said it better myself. 08:27.900 --> 08:31.060 Thanks for joining us on this barcode deep dive, everyone. 08:31.060 --> 08:33.660 Okay, so environmental impact. 08:33.660 --> 08:35.580 That's a whole other layer I hadn't even thought about. 08:35.580 --> 08:36.820 It's huge. 08:36.820 --> 08:38.020 Especially these days 08:38.020 --> 08:40.500 with everyone trying to be more eco-friendly. 08:40.500 --> 08:42.060 Totally, gotta protect the planet. 08:42.060 --> 08:42.900 Absolutely. 08:42.900 --> 08:44.980 And with thermal printing, the big thing is the paper. 08:44.980 --> 08:45.820 The paper? 08:45.820 --> 08:46.700 What's wrong with the paper? 08:46.700 --> 08:48.060 Well, the traditional kind, 08:48.060 --> 08:51.540 it has this chemical, bisphenol A, BPA, 08:51.540 --> 08:52.380 you might've heard of it. 08:52.380 --> 08:54.700 BPA, yeah, isn't that like in plastic? 08:54.700 --> 08:56.100 I try to avoid that stuff. 08:56.100 --> 08:57.740 It's in a lot of things, unfortunately, 08:57.740 --> 08:59.700 including thermal paper. 08:59.700 --> 09:03.020 But the good news is there's BPA-free thermal paper now. 09:03.020 --> 09:04.260 Oh, that's good. 09:04.260 --> 09:07.020 So it's just as good, but without the nasty chemicals. 09:07.020 --> 09:10.180 Yep, just as durable, just as effective, 09:10.180 --> 09:12.940 but way better for the environment. 09:12.940 --> 09:15.540 Awesome, so if I'm shopping for thermal paper, 09:15.540 --> 09:16.660 what should I look for? 09:16.660 --> 09:18.340 Like, how do I know it's the good stuff? 09:18.340 --> 09:21.300 Look for labels that say BPA-free or phenol-free. 09:21.300 --> 09:22.140 That's what you want. 09:22.140 --> 09:24.660 Got it, phenol-free, mental note. 09:24.660 --> 09:25.860 Okay, what about inkjet? 09:25.860 --> 09:27.420 Any environmental worries there? 09:27.420 --> 09:30.540 Inkjet has its own issues, mainly the cartridges, 09:30.540 --> 09:31.460 lots of waste. 09:31.460 --> 09:33.540 Yeah, those things are a pain to recycle. 09:33.580 --> 09:35.340 Exactly, and the inks themselves, 09:35.340 --> 09:37.420 they often have these things called VOCs, 09:37.420 --> 09:39.140 volatile organic compounds. 09:39.140 --> 09:42.180 VOCs, sounds intense. 09:42.180 --> 09:45.220 They can contribute to air pollution, not great. 09:45.220 --> 09:46.740 So it's not just about the paper, 09:46.740 --> 09:48.380 it's about the whole process, right? 09:48.380 --> 09:49.700 The ink, the cartridges. 09:49.700 --> 09:51.980 You got it, it's a whole life cycle thing. 09:51.980 --> 09:54.620 Cartridge recycling, eco-friendly inks, 09:54.620 --> 09:56.020 everything makes a difference. 09:56.020 --> 09:58.780 This is so eye-opening, I feel like I've learned so much 09:58.780 --> 10:00.820 about something I never even thought about before. 10:00.820 --> 10:03.180 That's the beauty of a deep dive, right? 10:03.660 --> 10:05.580 And covering all these hidden complexities. 10:05.580 --> 10:07.220 Totally, and it's practical too. 10:07.220 --> 10:09.700 Like now I can actually make more informed choices 10:09.700 --> 10:10.900 when I'm dealing with barcodes. 10:10.900 --> 10:13.620 Exactly, knowledge is power. 10:13.620 --> 10:15.220 But hold on, we're not done quite yet. 10:15.220 --> 10:16.940 We've talked about the past and present 10:16.940 --> 10:18.860 of barcode printing, what about the future? 10:18.860 --> 10:20.500 Ooh, the future. 10:20.500 --> 10:23.180 Crystal ball time, what do you see happening? 10:23.180 --> 10:24.620 Flying barcode drones. 10:24.620 --> 10:26.420 Uh-huh, not quite. 10:26.420 --> 10:28.580 But technology's always evolving. 10:28.580 --> 10:30.460 What if we had printers that combined 10:30.460 --> 10:31.820 the best of both worlds? 10:31.860 --> 10:33.460 A thermal printer that could do color. 10:33.460 --> 10:35.740 Even better, imagine a hybrid. 10:35.740 --> 10:37.420 Speed and efficiency of thermal 10:37.420 --> 10:39.780 with detail and color of inkjet. 10:39.780 --> 10:41.820 Whoa, that would be a game changer. 10:41.820 --> 10:45.100 It would, and of course, eco-friendly from top to bottom. 10:45.100 --> 10:46.540 That's gotta be a part of the future. 10:46.540 --> 10:48.980 Absolutely, sustainability is key. 10:48.980 --> 10:51.540 Okay, so everyone listening, keep your eyes peeled 10:51.540 --> 10:53.140 for those hybrid super printers. 10:53.140 --> 10:54.900 They might be closer than we think. 10:54.900 --> 10:56.740 They might be, and in the meantime, 10:56.740 --> 10:59.940 remember, choosing the right barcode tech. 10:59.940 --> 11:03.100 It's about knowing your needs and making informed choices. 11:03.100 --> 11:05.100 Do your research, weigh the options. 11:05.100 --> 11:07.220 And don't be afraid to ask questions. 11:07.220 --> 11:08.180 We're all learning here. 11:08.180 --> 11:10.580 Thanks for joining us on this barcode journey, everyone. 11:10.580 --> 11:12.820 Okay, so the future of barcodes. 11:12.820 --> 11:14.980 Hybrid printers, eh? 11:14.980 --> 11:16.180 That's a pretty wild thought. 11:16.180 --> 11:18.100 It is, but hey, who knows? 11:18.100 --> 11:19.220 Tech moves fast. 11:19.220 --> 11:22.540 What seems impossible today could be standard tomorrow. 11:22.540 --> 11:24.500 True that, like remember when smartphones 11:24.500 --> 11:25.660 were like a sci-fi thing. 11:25.660 --> 11:27.620 Exactly, now everyone's got one. 11:27.620 --> 11:30.540 So yeah, a thermolink jet hybrid, super efficient, 11:30.540 --> 11:32.740 eco-friendly, I could see it happening. 11:32.740 --> 11:35.420 Definitely, and the possibilities are pretty exciting. 11:35.420 --> 11:37.340 Imagine the labels we could create. 11:37.340 --> 11:41.820 Right, high quality images, full color, A and D, durable. 11:41.820 --> 11:44.260 It'd be a game changer for so many industries. 11:44.260 --> 11:45.380 Totally. 11:45.380 --> 11:47.660 But even without those futuristic printers, 11:47.660 --> 11:51.060 I feel like we've learned so much just from this deep dive. 11:51.060 --> 11:52.220 Me too. 11:52.220 --> 11:54.340 It's amazing how much complexity there is 11:54.340 --> 11:57.500 in something we see every day, but rarely think about. 11:58.340 --> 12:01.620 Right, barcodes are like the silent workhorses of the world. 12:01.620 --> 12:03.860 They are, and they're only getting more important 12:03.860 --> 12:06.700 as everything gets more connected and data-driven. 12:06.700 --> 12:08.500 Absolutely, so to everyone listening, 12:08.500 --> 12:10.060 I hope you've enjoyed this barcode journey 12:10.060 --> 12:11.420 as much as we have. 12:11.420 --> 12:13.980 It's been fun, and remember, whether you're choosing 12:13.980 --> 12:16.100 a printer for your business or just trying to be 12:16.100 --> 12:17.460 a more informed consumer. 12:17.460 --> 12:20.620 Do your research, understand the different technologies, 12:20.620 --> 12:21.620 the pros and cons. 12:21.620 --> 12:23.340 And make the choice that's right for you. 12:23.340 --> 12:25.820 And hey, maybe someday we'll be back here talking 12:25.820 --> 12:27.300 about amazing hybrid printers. 12:27.300 --> 12:29.100 Until then, thanks for listening.