How the Patented PermaPrint® Layer makes PDC Direct Thermal Bar Code Wristbands & Tags the Best in Healthcare

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When it comes to legibility, printability, and durability, the differences in patient wristbands and tags are typically “skin deep.” Unlike traditional ID products, the patented PermaPrint layer of PDC’s Direct Thermal Wristbands & Tags provide:

Best imprint quality
Maximum resistance to solvents
Seamless printing

Most hospitals agree that it’s one of the most reliable and convenient bar code solutions in Healthcare. The following data includes comparative quality and performance results
based on laboratory testing performed at Precision Dynamics Corporation.

Imprint Quality
A common challenge with thermal imprinting is the consistency of the imprint. A specific
amount of heat energy from the thermal print head is required to activate the band’s thermal material. Too much heat can produce images that are too dark. Too little heat can generate images that are too light. Poor imprint quality can lead to unreadable text and unscannable bar codes, which can cause a patient identification error.

Traditional thermal wristbands and tags act as a wall to heat, absorbing it
and dispersing it unevenly along the wristband. This can lead to poor quality
images and inaccurate readings.
With PDC’s PermaPrint products, heat is transferred directly and evenly along the
wristband or tag, resulting in consistent heat energy, high-quality images, and accurate readings.

Also, unlike traditional thermal ID products, PDC’s PermaPrint surface can be imprinted within a wide range of print head temperatures without compromising the quality of the imprint. This meets the needs of hospitals that use a variety of printers.

Resistance To Solvents & Harsh Environments
A patient wristband or tag should maintain the integrity of the patient data and bar code during the full duration of the patient’s hospital stay. To maintain durability, the product must resist moisture and chemicals, which can corrupt critical patient information. Unlike traditional direct thermal ID products, PDC’s PermaPrint^® surface provides maximum
resistance to light, moisture, and the following solvents:

Betadine Iodine	Isopropyl Alcohol
Ethyl Rubbing Alcohol	Purell Hand Sanitizer
Hand Lotion	Sunscreen Lotion

Product Comparison for Exposure to Hand Sanitizer

In head-to-head laboratory testing, hand sanitizer was gently rubbed on the surface
of the direct thermal wristbands shown at right. While the competitor wristbands
immediately became blemished, the PDC ScanBand with PermaPrint surface was
unaffected, protecting the imprint and preventing the risk of patient misidentification.

Product transport, storage conditions, and duration of storage can also affect thermal
sensitivity and imprint quality. Direct thermal wristbands and tags are particularly
vulnerable due to variability with heat, direct sunlight, and humidity. PDC PermaPrint yields a more consistent performance under various conditions.

Printer-Friendly
The PDC PermaPrint surface can also increase the lifespan of your printer’s print head. Traditional thermal ID products can transfer varnish to the print head, which can cause damage and lead to costly replacement. Also, because PermaPrint requires less heat to print an image, it increases the lifespan of the print head.

Printer speed can also impact performance. Standard thermal wristbands and tags have higher sensitivity compared to the PDC PermaPrint surface. This can affect the quality of the imprint when printing at high speeds. Because PermaPrint has a lower sensitivity, its printing quality is unaffected by printer speed.

More on PDC's Bar Code Wristbands

View PermaPrint Brochure