Thermal printers produce the printed image by selectively heating coated thermal paper as the paper passes over the thermal head. Thermal printers push electrically heated pins against heat-sensitive paper.
There are a few different types of thermal printers. Most thermal printers find applications in stores for printing receipts. There are two basic types of thermal printers- wax ?transfer printers and dye-sublimation printers.
Wax-transfer thermal printers work by heating the colored wax on the heat sensitive areas. The areas of the paper that melt form images and texts. The advantage of this printer is that it does not smear.
Dye-sublimation thermal printers use heat to transfer colored dye to specially coated paper. These printers find a lot of use in medical laboratories, photography studios and high end printer stores. The lower-end of dye sublimation thermal printers can be used at homes and stores. However, the disadvantage of the low end version of the printer is that it can print only certain sizes.
Thermal printers are more expensive that ink-jet printers but less expensive then colored laser printers. They are used mostly in stores and home businesses. They are one of the most convenient printers to use for printing out receipts.
Thermal printers can print in black as well as in color. Most times these printers can print only one color in addition to black. The color that is printed out depends on the coating that is applied to the thermal sensitive paper.
Thermal papers used with thermal printers are usually impregnated with dyes. As the paper rolls through the printer head, the dyes on the paper react to the heat in different ways.
These printers are widely available in all stores. However, before buying Thermal printers, individuals should shop around for rates. They should also read ratings by professionals and end users to find out more about the printer they intend to purchase.
If you have receipts coming from groceries, boutiques and even restaurants, chances are those receipts are printed using thermal printers. Unlike most printers that would need a toner or ink, thermal printers use heat to transfer the image to the paper. Currently, most of the thermal printers that are available in the market are those that can only print text and images using one color, often black. There are a number of thermal printers now available that can print two colors: black and red. These are called two-color direct thermal printers. These work by applying heat in two different temperatures on the paper to create the change in the color.
Aside from receipts, thermal printing technology is also used in most fax machines that are available in the market. It is also used in the medical field for printing ultrasound imaging results.
How do Thermal Printers Work?
A thermo-sensitive paper is inserted between the thermal head and the rubber roller that would feed the paper through the printer. The thermal printer then sends a current of electricity to the heating resistor located on the thermal head.
In effect, there is still some form of ink or coloring just like all types of printer. The difference is that for thermal printers, the ink or coloring is embedded on a special paper designed specifically for thermal printing.
Common Thermal Printer Brands
IBM Rimage Wasp Zebra Epson Advantages of Thermal Printers
Thermal printers are highly favored by many business establishments for printing of the receipts because they are able to print faster than most other printers. Prior to the introduction of thermal printers, business establishments would print receipts with dot matrix printer. These printers can be quite noisy and annoying for both the user and those within the establishment.
Another advantage for using thermal printers is that it is more economical. Unlike most printers where you would need to buy ink cartridges, toners or ribbons, thermal printers do not need to have cartridges to be replaced with paper supplies. You will just need to replace the paper that is used for the printer.
Disadvantages of Thermal Printers
One disadvantage of using a thermal printer is that it can only work with a specialized paper, which can be more expensive than ordinary bond paper that is used by other printers.
Furthermore, texts that are printed on thermal papers are not permanent. Over time, the printed text fades. Manufacturers of thermal paper have stated that the average length of time for the printed text to last on a thermal paper is fifty years. This makes thermal printers not a viable choice if you are printing business documents.
Both Grojan Fabiola & John C. Arkin are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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