Thermal Printer|Definition, Types,Features,Working
Thermal Printer can be defined as that type of printer that uses heat to print text or images on heat-sensitive paper, commonly known as “Thermal Paper”. So, you can say it is more economical as it eliminates the need of ink or any tonner to print.
Because of this unique functionality, it has become an ideal choice for such businesses where bulk but high-quality printing results are required. Moreover, due to its fast and quiet operation of printing, it has become an integral part of retail environments and Healthcare settings.
Features of Thermal Printers
Following are some features/advantages that you can get by using Thermal Printer for printing process.
High Speed Printing
Thermal Printets are best for high speed printing as they do not require any ink or ribbon, so they print without involving in any mechanical process. Therefore, they produce prints instantly only upon heating of the printhead.
Required Low Maintenance
Thermal Printers require low or almost no maintenance to work properly. As they do not need ink to print, so they are specifically designed as having no moving parts. So, this feature lowers the chances of breakage within printing machine. Both of these features of having no need for ink and low maintenance cost, makes the thermal printer a more cost-effective, and economical option as compared to other printers.
Compact and Space-saving Design
As thermal printer does not require ink or any movable part, so it supports the compactness in its design. Due to compactness, it surrounds less space, thus highly recommended to be used in retail, offices, restaurants, and health-care centers.
Eco-friendly & Energy-Efficient Printing
Because of compact design and having no need of ink, the usage of thermal printers as compared to other printers, produces less waste in the environment. Moreover, Thermal Printers need only the printhead to be heated, so also in this way, thermal printers consume less electricity. Both these features having the capability of producing no waste and consume less energy, makes them one of the best eco-friendly, and energy-efficient option to print receipts, barcodes, and for labelling products.
Provide Durable, Reliable, and long-lasting Prints
As thermal printer supports heat-activated prints, so thermal prints have long-age because they can resist to smudging, moisture, and UV-exposure. This type of durability is highly required for labelling products, shipping packages, and printing barcodes, so that harsh environmental conditions cannot affect the printed information.
How Thermal Printer Works?
Thermal Printets print images and text by following the following steps.
Data Transmission
The first step involves the transmission of data between the connected device and printer. Image or text data that has to be printed transferred from the connected device like a computer, POS system, or smartphone through a connection like USB,Bluetooth, or Wifi to the printer device. According to the transferred data, thermal printer prints the text, image, or barcode.
Paper Feeding
Upon receiving the data, the stepper motor within the thermal printer rotates the platen roller that ultimately pushes the paper against the thermal print head. During the feeding of data on paper, the thermal printer moves through the printer in small and precise steps so that the print head’s movement can be matched.
Heating the Printhead
The printer uses the electricity to heat the tiny heating elements that present within the long,narrow strip of the printhead The printer starts to activate specific heating elements based on the receiving image or text data. The printer head has the ability to heat up and cool down quickly, so that pattern can be created on paper.
Printing on Paper
After the heating of printer-head, the image or text is printed on paper, based on the printer type. If the printer type is Direct Thermal Printer, then paper turns black on heating. However, if the printer type is Thermal Transfer Printer, then on heating, ribbon coated with wax or resin sits between the print head and the paper. On heating, the Ribbon’s coating melts, thus transferring the ink onto the paper or label.
Print Output
The motor within the printer machine continue to feed the paper according to received data. Thus,the final printout emerges from the printer. Now, you can use this print out for your work
Types of Thermal Printers
Following are different types of Thermal Printers.
1.Direct Thermal Printer
Direct Thermal Printer can be defined as that type of thermal printer that uses heat to print images or text on heat-sensitive coated paper. This type of thermal printer does not require any ink, toner, or cartridge. It is commonly used to print shippi g labels, receipts, tickets, and badges. This printer supports the fastest efficient only black in color printing with very low maintenance requirements.
2.Thermal Transfer Printer
Thermal Transfer Printer can be defined as that type of thermal printer that needs wax or resin coated ribbon to print on heat-sensitive paper. Actually, on heating, the wax or resin on ribbon transfers on the thermal paper, thus gives the print according to received data. This printer is commonly used to print asset, inventory, industrial, warehouse, outdoor, and medical labels, because it supports multicolor and long lasting prints.
3.Mobile Thermal Printer
Mobile Printer can be defined as compact and portable thermal printer, that may be either direct thermal printer or thermal transfer printer. It supports wireless connectivity and commonly used to print receipts, tickets, labels, and other documents in remote working environments.
4.Industrial Thermal Printer
Industrial Thermal Printers are specially designed printers to fulfill industry’s printing requirements. As, barcodes, labels, and tags used for industrial purposes have to face harsh environmental conditions. So, these printers ensure high-printing speed with verstality, durability, and reliability.