| The thermal printer is the most common type of | | | | it does not need ribbons, toners, or inks. Not only does |
| printer used for creating barcode labels. There are two | | | | this cut the cost, it also cuts the time spent in the |
| types of thermal printers: thermal transfer and direct | | | | ordering and replacing of the ribbon. The only material |
| thermal. The thermal transfer printer works by using | | | | that needs to be replenished is the special thermal |
| heat to transfer the ink from the ribbon to the printer | | | | paper, and this paper is more inexpensive compared |
| and, thus, creating an image on the paper. | | | | to the commonly used 8-½-by-11 inch three-part |
| Another type of thermal printer is the direct thermal | | | | forms. |
| printer. Just as the thermal transfer printer, it uses heat | | | | Another advantage of these printers is that they can |
| to create the label. The only difference is that it doesn't | | | | print smaller labels without compromising the content, |
| require a ribbon. Instead, it uses a special thermal | | | | speed, and quality of the print. Companies can save |
| paper. The printer works by burning the | | | | money on supplies using smaller, higher resolution labels |
| thermo-sensitive part of the paper, which results in the | | | | at a lower cost. The great thing about this is that the |
| formation of an image on the paper. | | | | direct thermal printer prints with high density and high |
| Direct thermal label printers are not just used for | | | | resolution resulting in a high-quality image; therefore, |
| printing barcodes. Direct thermal label printers can be | | | | there is no need to reduce the content of the label. |
| synchronized with point of sale programs, which allow | | | | Direct thermal printers are also capable of processing |
| them to print other information on the labels such as | | | | a variety of data without affecting the speed of |
| model number, price, product description, and more. | | | | printing, so a larger quantity of labels can be printed as |
| The printers are not limited to printing labels, either. | | | | well. |
| They can also print tags, coupons, and even | | | | The one downside to direct thermal printers is that the |
| wristbands. | | | | initial cost of the printer is slightly more expensive that |
| Cost efficiency is the greatest asset of the direct | | | | most other types of printers, however it is still the most |
| thermal label printer. An advantage of the direct | | | | efficient in terms of quality and cost in the long term |
| thermal printer is that it can print labels both individually | | | | due to the savings realized on not having to purchase |
| and by batch, whereas other printers can only print by | | | | toners, ink cartridges or print ribbons associated with |
| batch or sheet. This reduces, if not eliminates, the usual | | | | other types of printers. |
| tendency of printers of creating extra labels and, | | | | In summary, investing in a direct thermal printer greatly |
| therefore, waste valuable amounts of supplies. | | | | reduces the overall cost of supplies while maintaining |
| The printer is also able to cut the cost of supplies since | | | | the quality of the labels. |