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Frequently Asked Questions about the Catalyst®


Catalyst Laser Label Marking System

1. What is the imaging technology used in Catalyst?

Catalyst uses high-power, fibre-coupled laser diodes to image onto ultra-durable laser label substrates called Color Laser Film ("CLF"). Schreiner ProTech makes the material in Germany. CLF has a clear overlaminate on top of an imaging receptor surface that phase-changes when exposed to a 980 nm, focused infrared laser beam. The resulting image is a black background with white text and graphics, all underneath the protective clear lamination layer.

2. Can I get a more detailed description of CLF and how is it different from other durable label substrates?

Here is how Schreiner describes CLF in its product literature:
"Schreiner Color Laser Film (CLF) label stock is a high-grade polyester composite that is extremely resistant to environmental conditions and has outstanding adhesion properties for rough industrial applications. A high-powered laser, in a zero-emissions process, can mark CLF labels. The laser-active layer below the transparent laminate produces a high-contrast colour reference layer for the inscription. The film surface remains undamaged with no ablation of film particles, creating a tough, highly environment–resistant label."
CLF labels have better resistance to the combination of UV light, liquids, chemicals, and abrasion than those produced by any other on-demand, desktop laser imaging system, including resin thermal transfer printed onto polyester.

3. I've heard that lasers require replacement and that they are expensive. Is this true for Catalyst, too?

No, Catalyst doesn't use the same type of lasers as other laser marking equipment. Instead of expensive, shorter-lived CO2 or Ng:YAG lasers, Catalyst's solid state, laser diodes are expected to last for the printer's life – typically 5-7 years or more. If a replacement is ever required, the cost is only around € 500 each, including labor. Laser imaging print head modules are also available; cost is yet to be determined.

4. Is Catalyst compatible with ZPL (Zebra Programming Language)?

No. Like all of Primera's printers, Catalyst is a raster-based printer. It requires a printer driver to be installed on a Windows PC. This makes Catalyst compatible with all current-generation Windows PC's and software.

5. Catalyst uses “high-power, fiber-coupled laser diodes for imaging”. That sounds scary. Is Catalyst safe?

Catalyst has been tested and approved for industrial laser imaging applications. It meets or exceeds all of the safety requirements of UL, UL-C, CE, FDA/CDRH, and IEC 60825-1. It is safe for office, warehouse, and factory use but not approved for home use as it is a Class A device under FCC Part 15. Many safety features are included, including dual interlocks on the cover of the marking area.

6. In which countries is Catalyst available?

Catalyst is available worldwide, subject to the usual restrictions in certain countries regarding locally-required safety and emissions approvals, VAT, duties, taxes, etc.

7. What is the cost per label?

It varies by the size of the label. Because there's no ink involved, only the CLF material cost needs to be calculated. Based upon Primera's published MSRP prices, a standard CLF label that measures 25.4 mm x 101.6 mm (1" x 4") would cost approximate € 0.23 each.

8. Can Catalyst print in colour?

No, laser imaging on this material is a monochrome-only process. The labels will always have a black background with white lettering, graphics, and bar codes.

9. Does the unit come with software?

Yes, Catalyst ships with a free copy of BarTender® 2021 UltraLite software. It generates almost every bar code ever invented, including 2D and 3D bar codes such as Datamatrix and QR codes. For more advanced applications, BarTender Professional Edition is available. It allows connection to external databases, along with many other additional features such as serialisation. Integration to ERPs such as Microsoft Dynamics, Oracle® and SAP® is available through BarTender Enterprise Edition.

10. How long will the printed labels last outdoors?

Schreiner's CLF materials are intended for long-term, indoor and outdoor use. Noticeable fading won't be evident for many years. This makes CLF ideal for applications such as solar panel serial tags, information and warning labels, VIN number plates, vehicle window stickers, utility boxes, and other applications where high durability and resistance to UV light, liquids, chemicals, and other elements are essential. A 10-15 year life, or longer, is not unusual.

11. How fast is the Catalyst?

The print speed for a typical 25.4 mm x 101.6 mm (1" x 4") label is 12 seconds per label.

12. What is the weight of Catalyst?

While we wouldn't necessarily call it a portable printer, Catalyst is relatively light and easy to move around if needed. It weighs just 6.35 kg.

13. Do I need to supply ventilation or a fume extraction system for Catalyst?

No, this is one of the considerable advantages of using only Schreiner CLF materials. The laser generates no smoke or fumes since the phase-change process makes the image appear underneath the clear, protective laminate. And unlike other laser marking systems that use the laser to cut out the label's shape and size, creating smoke and fumes, Catalyst uses an X/Y knife blade plotter that cuts through the CLF material with no smoke and no fumes.

14. Can I use Tesa, 3M or other laser label materials in Catalyst?

No. Those materials work by a completely different process called laser ablation, where the laser uses heat to blast away the substrate's coating. The ablation process produces noxious dust, fumes, and smoke that must be mechanically filtered. Schreiner CLF is a "smokeless" material. It creates no dust, smoke, or fumes during the laser marking process. CLF is patented globally by Schreiner, so no other brands have been tested or are supported.

15. Can I also print regular, non-laser labels with Catalyst?

No. Catalyst supports only phase-change materials. At this time, Schreiner CLF is the only available material approved for use on the printer.

16. How do I get help with technical issues?

Contact the DTM Print support team at support@dtm-print.eu. All customers receive free technical support by phone or e-mail for the life of the product.

17. What is the warranty on the printer?

One year parts and service. Three years if you register your product within the first 30 days of purchase to get additional 24 months warranty for free (register.dtm-print.eu).

18. What kinds of applications require such durable labels?

Catalyst produces durable labels for a wide range of applications, including:


19. What is UDI?

A Unique Device Identification (UDI) system is intended to provide single, globally harmonized positive identification of medical devices through distribution and use, requiring the label of devices to bear a globally unique device identifier (to be conveyed by using Automatic Identification and Data Capture and, if applicable, its Human Readable Interpretation) based upon standard, with the UDI-DI (Device Identifier) of that unique identifier being also linked to a jurisdiction-specific public UDI database (source: International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF): http://www.imdrf.org/ ).

The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the European Commission and other regulators have made patient safety a strategic priority by developing UDI regulations for Medical Devices and In Vitro Diagnostic (IVD) Devices and are aiming for a globally harmonised and consistent approach aligned on the IMDRF Guidelines.

More information is available at https://www.gs1.org/industries/healthcare/udi#udi-in-the-eu.

20. Can Catalyst produce UL/CSA rating plate and serial tag identification labels that meet UL969?

Yes! Schreiner CLF meets the requirements for UL969 and, in certain countries, is listed with UL as an approved marking system for these applications.

21. Can I print roll-to-roll with Catalyst?

Yes, we offer a rewinder called RW-7. You can read about it here: RW-7 Rewinder

22. I've heard the term "family sheets." What are they, and can Catalyst make those, too?

A family sheet is more than one label printed and digitally die-cut together and then dispensed as a sheet. Catalyst is ideally suited to produce them. Two built-in cutters are required. The first is an X/Y blade to cut out each label. The other blade cuts across the web and dispenses the family sheets one at a time.
Commonly used in manufacturing, family sheets are usually produced in a central location and then sent to the factory floor. Each product they manufacture gets one each of every label on the family sheet. If a label is left over, the assembler knows that they forgot to put it onto the product.

23. What is the maximum width and length that can be printed on Catalyst?

Catalyst's CLF substrates are always 120 mm (4.724") wide. Maximum print and cut width is 104.9 mm (4.13").
The maximum length of printed and cut labels is 304.8 mm (12").

24. What are the properties of the standard adhesive? Are other adhesives available?

Schreiner CLF has a modified acrylic adhesive with excellent weather, solvent, and plasticizer resistance. It has a significantly thicker adhesive coating than standard versions, and achieves superior tack force even on rough and structured surfaces. The final tack force is reached after approximately 72 hours, depending upon the substrate to which it is affixed.

25. Is a tamper-evident version of CLF available for Catalyst? If yes, can you explain how it works?

Yes, a version of the standard black CLF is available with a tamper-evidence feature. If someone tries to remove a printed label, small parts of the label remain on the surface. The label itself is then permanently damaged, too.

26. What is the print resolution of Catalyst?

300 dots per inch.

27. What are some typical applications for the labels produced by Catalyst?

And much, much more – anything that has relatively high value and needs to withstand harsh indoor and outdoor conditions with superior resistance to liquids, chemicals, abrasion and UV light.

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