Thermal printers are incredibly versatile machines for both commercial and industrial applications. But they might not be well-suited for every business, and an Inkjet printer might be what you need.
Today we’re going to talk about the disadvantages and advantages of thermal printers and where they’re most commonly used, so you can make an informed investment.
What is a Thermal Printer?
Almost all of the time, a thermal printer doesn’t use ink. Instead a heated print head applies text and images to specialised thermal paper, which can handle the heat without being damaged.
Some thermal printers, known as thermal transfer printers, still use an ink ribbon, but apply heat to it so the ink seeps through onto the printer paper. This system is better for printing onto labels and plastics, which is why thermal transfer printers are a common sight in factories where product labelling is an important part of the production line.
Thermal Vs Inkjet Printers
Inkjet printers use ink cartridges, with the ink being applied directly to the paper or other material without the need for a heated print head. Because regular paper can be used, Inkjet printers are often preferred when printing documents, making them a good choice for offices. However, there are some disadvantages.
Although Inkjet printers are often cheaper to buy than a thermal printer, the cost doesn’t stop there. Ink cartridges aren’t cheap, even when bought in bulk. This makes them much more expensive to operate, especially when you’re doing a lot of printing.
Anyone who has an inkjet printer in their office knows the frustration when it prevents you from printing because it lacks a specific colour. If you rely on your printer for your business, and don’t have a spare cartridge to hand, this is a major delay that could happen time and time again.
Disadvantages of Thermal Printers
Of course, thermal printers aren’t perfect. There are a few things you should consider before you invest in one.
The first is the price. Thermal printers have a higher upfront cost, especially if you’re buying an industrial machine. They’re cheap to run, with only the occasional service and replaced peripherals needed, but the initial cost can sting a little.
Some business owners make the mistake of choosing a cheap thermal printer to save on this cost. However, the quality of your prints will suffer, which can reflect badly on your business. The machine itself will also be a base model, which may suit a small business, but won’t scale as you grow, so you need to buy a more expensive machine later on anyway.
Another factor is the use of specialist thermal paper. Regular paper doesn’t work with thermal printers, so it might not be a good option for your office. But if you are labelling, look no further than a thermal printer.
Thermal Label Printers
If printing is an important part of your business, a thermal label printer is an essential investment. Any business that produces products understands this well already; all products need high-quality labelling with all the necessary information that customers will look for.
This includes information about the contents, directions for use, potential harm, expiration dates, and more. With a high-quality thermal printer, you can print information and apply the label to the product at the same time, saving time and space on your production line.
On a smaller scale, thermal label printers can also help more humble businesses. If you’re selling products online, they need quality labels that help them stand out. But this isn’t the most common type of label for businesses.
Shipping labels are essential for businesses of all sizes and industries. If you’re sending products across the country, or even the world, you need to print labels that last the journey. Paper shipping labels can fall off or become damaged, sometimes preventing the product from reaching its destination. And if you used an inkjet printer, the ink could run if exposed to moisture, ruining the text, codes, and images.
Even a small desktop thermal printer creates tough labels that are designed to last. They may fade when exposed to direct sunlight, but this is never an issue for shipping labels.
We’ve barely scratched the surface of what labels can be used for too. Other uses include:
- Branded Packaging
- Stickers for Marketing
- Flyers and Brochures
- Keeping Storage Organised
- And more!
Check out our other blogs for a more detailed overview of some of these label applications.
Keeping your Thermal Printer Up and Running
Once you know the benefits of thermal printers, you’ll be ready to invest in a new or refurbished model that will give your business a boost. You might even have one already and are using it all the time.
But using any machine puts wear on its parts, and it might suddenly start to let you down, either through poor print quality or faults that halt your operation. To prevent that, you need to take care of it. That’s where we come in.
We specliase in servicing and maintenance for thermal printers. If yours develops a fault, we can be with you straight away to find out what the issue is. We have a warehouse packed with spare parts, so if something needs replacing, we very rarely need to order anything, so you can be back to printing ASAP.
You can also prevent these faults with our servicing agreements. At a time that suits you, we’ll take your printer apart, checking for any wear or damage and giving the machine a thorough clean to maximise its effectiveness. Then we can organise any printer repairs or new peripherals before they’re needed, keeping things running smoothly.
If you have any questions about us or our services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you.