How does a thermal printer work is the question that arises in the minds of people who want to work in printing as a profession. To understand it’s working, the first thing you need to know is what a thermal printer is and its main types.
Here we provided complete information on the working of the thermal printer with specific types.
What is Thermal Printing and how does a Thermal Printer Work?
Thermal printing produces high-quality images or black text using a heated print head against the medium. A thermal printer, in summary, is a machine that transforms energy into heat via one side of a bit of paper while retaining the opposite direction of cool.
In short, it is named a thermal transfer printer. The only distinction between this and standard inkjet printers is that thermal printers use a conductive heater wire integrated within the ribbon instead of nozzles.
Working of Thermal Printer
When current goes through the heater core of the thermal printer, it heats up to the temperature necessary to induce color dye melting/migration onto the recipient sheet. Different colors necessitate temperature sensors, but the most common thermal printers can heat up to around 240°F. The dye melts and transmits to the page below at these extreme temps.
Depending on the type of thermal printer, it either initiates chemically processed paper(known as thermal paper) or transfers sturdy ink from a cord and attaches it to the medium. This printer is used in the production of barcodes, tags, labels, receipts, ID badges, and various other applications in a wide range of industries.
Why Is Thermal Printing Necessary?
Thermal printing is helpful when you want to print the barcodes on labels or anything with a longer lifespan or to face extreme climates such as moisture and sunlight.
Thermal printing is an excellent choice if you require
- Media adaptability
- Printers that are low-maintenance and long-lasting
- Application adaptability
These are widely used in various applications because they are energy-efficient, quick, and compact. Among many applications in various industries, a few uses are below:
- ID badges, supply chain labels, system administration, and emergency management in government.
- Shipment, getting, stock management, wrapping slips, and refund labels are all part of logistics and transportation.
- In the manufacturing process, conformance labels, upkeep or parts management, quality standards, and progress monitoring.
- Patient id wristbands, lab or pharmacy specimen labels, wealth management, are all examples of healthcare applications.
- Retail prices, POS or mobile POS invoices, visitor cards or passes, ID badges, inventory systems are all examples of retail and hospitality applications.
How Does a Thermal Printer Work– Detailed Answer
To answer this question, how does a thermal printer work? You should understand the type of thermal printer.
Type of Thermal Printing Method
Two important types of thermal printing are given below:
1. Direct Thermal Printing
Direct thermal printing has no toner, ribbon, or ink. The thermal paper receives pressure and heat directly from the print head; heat reacts with the thermal paper by blackening and generating an image or text when subjected to heat.
Compared to other printers, its repairing cost is low because no toner and ink are used. However, as previously stated, because thermal paper is especially sensitive to light and heat, your printed products may fade over time.
You may realize that old receipts disappear over time due to being printed on thermal paper; moreover because the printing material describes the color, this kind of printer prints in one color at one time.
2. Thermal Transfer Printing
Instead of printing effectively onto the printing material’s surface, as in direct thermal printing, the print head of a heat transport printer pushes a wax-coated ink ribbon (or ribbons) onto the printing surface of a material. The wax is liquefied, revealing the ink transmitted to and dries on the printing material.
The benefit is that this kind of print does not lose color quickly. Further, it can print in more than one color simultaneously. However, with the addition of the ribbon, which must be changed, extended maintenance costs may be higher. And because they have more mechanical parts, these printers may be mildly more susceptible to operational risks they are still dependable and long-lasting.
Also watch this video to know the complete difference between both of these!
Thermal Printer Pros
- Require low maintenance cost
- These are compact and easy to carry
- Produce high-quality printing
- Few moving parts
Thermal Printer Cons
- Thermal-printed labels tend to fade over time
- It can use only one color at the same time
- Thermally printed labels become fully black when facing high heat
- It is expensive
Wrapping Up- How Does a Thermal Printer Works
Above is a complete detail on how a thermal printer work does? Irrespective of their intentional use, these devices are still easy to use. You should have no trouble finding what you’re looking for if you understand how they work.
In fact, despite the occasional cleanup, most of them demand less maintenance. After many years of constant operation, they are likely to be more productive than expected. Make sure to keep everything tidy and oiled as much as possible.
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