by Karen Jones
For many years, thermal printers have been widely used in the e-Commerce industry to accomplish various printing on paper and other printable materials.
Over the years, thermal printers have gained a positive reputation owing to their efficiency, affordable costs, speed, and superior-quality prints. Today, they are the most sought-after solutions in almost all the areas where printing needs arise. e.g., in banking sectors, airports, healthcare industries, retail shops, groceries, entertainment industries, etc.
As their popularity gains momentum, more and more individuals get inclined towards purchasing them. Whereas such a move is recommendable, it's vital to understand how does a thermal printer work before purchasing.
Today, our post will focus on answering the question "how does a thermal printer work," its pros plus cons, and why it's a great option to consider.
Contents
Thermal printers are one of the most common types of printers used in businesses today. They are known for their speed and accuracy, making them a popular choice for printing receipts, tickets, and labels. But how do thermal printers work?
Thermal printers create images by heating up dye-coated thermal paper. When the paper is heated, the dye turns black, creating an image. The technology behind thermal printers is actually quite simple - it's just a matter of heating up the right areas of the paper to create an image.
This heating process is what makes thermal printers so fast - they can produce an image in as little as 1/10th of a second! Thermal printers are also very efficient, using very little power to create an image.
Thermal printers are a great choice for businesses because they are reliable and fast. If you're looking for a printer that can handle high volumes of printing, a thermal printer is the way to go.
For the benefit of the doubt, let's start by answering the question, "What is a thermal printer?
It's a digital printing device that (unlike its counterpart, the inkjet printer) produces images on thermal papers using properties of heat. The printer does not employ toners or inks in its printing processes. Instead, it creates images on a thermal paper when the "print head elements" come into one-on-one contact with the thermal paper as it pulled over the "print head."
There are two different sorts of thermal printers. These are
These types of printers make use of chemically treated thermal papers that darken as they pass through the "thermal print head." The paper darkens due to the heating effect of the print head, and consequently, imprints are left behind.
Direct thermal printers do not need separate inks, toners, or even ribbon supplies. They are most used in printing items such as shipping labels, receipts, etc.
Since the above two types of thermal printing differ, they each have their advantages and disadvantages worth noting before arriving at a decision.
Direct thermal printing has been widely praised for offering benefits such as;
Unlike direct thermal transfer printers, the above printers transfer solid inks from ribbons onto label supplies to produce permanent prints. The ribbons are usually made from resin or wax (or both) and are 'bonded' to the label supplies surfaces under pressure and heat.
This method of printing is commonly preferred as it
By now, you have a solid understanding of how a thermal printer works, ae types there are. Let's now focus on options under which a thermal printer would be ideal.
Some of these conditions include:
When You Need Durable PrintsThose who use thermal printers can testify that signs and labels created with these printers tend to last longer than those printed with inks. The former can withstand weather vagaries that the latter can't.
When Trying to Evade Maintenance CostsSince thermal printers feature a few moving parts, they tend to demand minimum maintenance and are durable. This is one of the greatest advantages they offer over their top rivals, i.e., inkjet printers.
Where Versatility MattersWith thermal printers, you can print as many documents, signs, and labels that suit various purposes. These include durable arch-flash labels, text/graphic-based floor markings, and labels meant for varying weather conditions.
Why Thermal Printing May Not to the Best Printing Option
Although it offers a wide range of benefits, you should know that
Thermal printing employs special types of materials that are somewhat expensive. Consequently, you should ensure you have enough budgets to invest in a thermal printer. Make sure you don't borrow debts or empty your pocket to finance the purchase process.
If you intend to purchase a printer specifically for printing photos, you'd better know that a thermal printer is not the best. This is so because it prints in a few colors due to the high heat limits of both wax and resins.
You can account for how a thermal printer works, the various types that exist, and the pros and cons of the printer. It's now upon you to decide whether it's the right choice for your needs depending on the business you operate!
Note: You should only purchase if you are sure it will serve your particular purposes the best and that you can raise its cost.
About Karen Jones
Karen Jones has always been a writer at heart. As a freelance writer and social media marketing consultant for the last decade, she's honed her skills in crafting catchy and interesting articles that reel in readers. She also enjoys traveling, which is where she gets most of her ideas for her writing. In fact, if you can't find Karen around her friends and family, it's likely because she's holed up in her home office working on refining her writing composition and printing press!
Get some FREE Gifts. Or latest free printing books here.
Disable Ad block to reveal all the secret. Once done, hit a button below