Understanding the Basics of Thermal Printing Technologies
- May 13
- 3 min read
Thermal printing is a printing process that utilises a heated printhead to produce an image, the technology allows for media and application flexibility, whilst also being durable and low maintenance. There are two types of thermal printing methods, direct thermal and thermal transfer, which can produce prints that are ideal for industry use due to the accurate, high-quality print they produce. This blog aims to outline the two types of printers, their uses, benefits, types of printers, and their place in your business.
But how does Thermal Printing work?
Thermal printing is a process that utilises a heated printhead to produce an image. There are two types of thermal printers, direct thermal and thermal transfer.
Direct Thermal:
Direct thermal printers create the image directly on the printing media using a heat-sensitive media that blackens when passed under the thermal printhead, without the need for a ribbon, ink, or toner.
Typical uses: Shipping labels, receipts, tickets, Patient and visitor identification.
Advantages:
Sharp, good quality labels
Ideal for short shelf-life applications
Usually a lower media cost
Reliable operation and simple to operate
Disadvantages:
High sensitivity to environmental factors such as heat and light due to the heat sensitive media
Thermal Transfer:
Thermal transfer printing utilises a ribbon that when heated by the printhead, produces the print onto the label. The colour and density of the print is determined by the ribbon and printer resolution which aids in consistently producing a reliable print. To ensure a high print performance and durability, the label material and ribbon should be carefully selected. When the correct media-ribbon combination is selected, users can create printed labels that are suitable for a range of applications with various environmental factors such as, but not limited to, temperature extremes, chemicals, UV exposure, abrasion, and sterilisation. Our team can assist with media specifications to ensure you have the perfect selection, contact us here.
Typical uses: Circuit board tracking, asset labelling, Product identification, sample tracking, laboratory Specimens, cold storage and freezers, outdoor applications.
Advantages:
High-definition text, graphic, and barcode quality
Ideal for long-life applications
Large variety of label media stock and ribbon media stock
Reliable operation and simple to operate
Disadvantages:
Media costs are higher than direct thermal due to the use of a ribbon
The ribbon and media substrate must be compatible to produce the optimum print
Types of printers:
Mobile printers enable portable printing of barcode labels, RFID tags, and receipts increasing productivity with the ultimate flexible printer. Although they are direct thermal only, they are designed for convenient printing of high-quality labels and are equipped with advanced connectivity options to ensure seamless integration. Mobile printers are suitable for a variety of industry sectors including warehousing and logistics, automotive, retail, and healthcare.
Desktop printers are compact and idea for fast, on-demand printing in small workspaces. Offering both direct thermal and thermal transfer options, with various printers for every price point, desktop printers allow you to have both high-quality prints without needing to sacrifice performance for savings. They are suitable for a variety of industry sectors including warehousing and logistics, automotive, retail, healthcare, and hospitality.
Designed for harsh and demanding environments, Industrial printers provide users with rugged durability and adaptability that future-proofs your business. Industrial printers are also designed to provide 24/7 reliability for barcode and RFID labels. Providing options for both direct thermal and thermal transfer printing they are suitable for specialised printing needs in a variety of sectors, including Warehousing and Logistics, Automotive, Manufacturing, retail, and healthcare.
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