Best Thermal Printers for Small Businesses: Buying Guide

The biggest advantage of using thermal printers is their ability to print without any ink. Unlike inkjet printers that use nozzles prone to clogging or the impact printers that use a hammer against a ribbon, thermal printers have fewer moving parts and do not require ink for some types. Their design makes them silent, low-maintenance, and fast, ideal for small businesses. If you are someone aiming to purchase thermal printers for a small business or B2B operations, then consider this your ultimate buying guide.

We will cover everything, starting from thermal printer types and moving towards a list of features like speed and connectivity that every buyer should consider for an educated buying decision. Moreover, the guide will mention key beneficiaries of the technology and a short step-by-step buying guide to get the best speed and ROI from your thermal printer.

Types of Thermal Printers

The type of thermal printer determines its working mechanism and suitability for a business type. Here are the top 5 types that most thermal printer manufacturers produce:

Based on the Working Mechanism

Direct Thermal Printers

These are reliant on the heat-sensitive paper that turns black when heated. The temperature is usually around 80°C. There is no ink, toner, or ribbon usage in direct thermal printers. The paper that these printers print on has a chemical layer that needs heat to turn black. If the paper is placed in the sun for too long, it may turn black.

• Ideal Use: Grocery Receipts and Shipping Labels

Thermal Transfer Printers

Thermal transfer printers use heat to melt ribbon made from wax or resin onto the material. It's similar to printing decals on a T-shirt. The method of printing makes the resultant text or graphics durable in the sun or even in the rain. These printers can print on anything from polyester to vinyl to even metal foils.

• Ideal Use: Outdoor Tags, Chemical Labels, And Wristbands

Based on Usage

Desktop Receipt Printers

These are the thermal printers you see in your retail store right beside a computer screen or the keyboard. They can handle 58mm or 80mm wide paper and are designed to sit idle for days, then start printing thousands of receipts flawlessly. Moreover, these desktop receipt printers have a cutting mechanism that can cut 2 million times before dulling.

• Common Design: Direct Thermal Printers

Portable & Mobile Printers

These printers are usually mounted directly onto mobile devices or are physically separate. Portable and mobile printers connect using WiFi or Bluetooth. These types are ideal for upscale restaurants, delivery drivers, traffic tickets, and pop-up events. They usually have no wires and print over 500 feet of paper on a single charge.

• Common Design: Direct Thermal Printers

Label & Kiosk Printers

Printing text or graphics onto a peel-and-stick media can be challenging. Therefore, we need label & kiosk printers that come with sensors that detect the gap between stickers to ensure centered printing. These are often inside ATM machines and have shredding capability if the recipient of cash does not take the receipt.

• Common Design: Direct Thermal Printers, but Sometimes Thermal Transfer

Key Features to Look For in a Thermal Printer

Moving on to the technological aspect of the thermal printer. Irrespective of the direct thermal or thermal transfer, we can still analyze their key features. Every person should evaluate the following aspects of thermal printers:

Printing Speed

A typical thermal printer will have 150 to 300 mm/s as standard speed. In case you have a high-traffic small business, consider a 250+ mm/s speed printer. The speed depends on the fixed printhead technology, which makes the heating elements turn on and off thousands of times per second with microscopic precision.

Print Resolution

The second most important feature to consider is resolution. Substandard printers will have low resolution, which can mean unclear text and a bad consumer experience. Anything below 200 dpi is substandard. Typically 200+dpi is ideal for text, but if your small business involves printing of complex graphics, consider a 300 to 600 dpi resolution for clarity.

Connectivity

Modern thermal printers come with all kinds of connectivity options, including USB, Ethernet, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi. However, consider your application. If you are in a retail business, then consider only USB as you won't need wireless connectivity for static workstations. In the case of logistics or an upscale restaurant, wireless connectivity is essential for portability. Modern thermal printers now feature NFC (Near Field Communication) that allows tapping to transfer data for faster configurations.

Power Consumption

While printing, a typical thermal printer will consume 20 to 60W and go back to idle mode, which consumes only 1W. Energy-efficient designs adjust the voltage supply to the printer head based on the requirements of graphics or text. The printer can adjust a darker shade for the logo and a lighter shade for the text in real-time using voltage regulations. Remember, switching an entire retail chain from laser to thermal printing can save enough electricity to power a small house for a year.

Durability and Build Quality

In case of outdoor conditions or small businesses that handle potential splashes of water or liquid, consider thermal printers with IP ratings. Moreover, using drop-in paper loadings can help prevent jams. Other features, such as auto-cutters, can help in ease of use and quick service in small businesses. Having a thermal printer that generates alerts when the paper roll is about to run out saves time.

Typically, the heating element in the thermal printer head is ceramic-coated and can withstand 100 kilometers of paper rubbing against it before it wears down. Consider buying a sample and analyzing its build quality or testing it against challenging situations to ensure the product is durable.

Benefits Of Thermal Printers For Any Business

Zero Consumables

The regular consumption of ink and its replacement or refill can be challenging to manage. Moreover, it comes with a cost. Thermal printers do not require refill of ink or the replacement of cartridges. They work reliably for over 30 to 60 kilometers of linear printing. Since there is no chance of ink drying, thermal printers can sit on the desk for years and start working from where you left off. It's an ideal feature for small businesses that want to focus their energy and resources where it matters the most.

Zero Warm-Up Time

The time required to get the first print from an inkjet or laser printer is around 8 to 15 seconds. The print head to calibrate and the fuser unit to warm up are traditional printer problems. In comparison, thermal printers have zero warm-up time. They are instant-on printers that can process receipt printing immediately.

Indestructible Engineering

Thermal printers are highly durable owing to their inherent design. They feature minimal moving parts, which include the roller and auto-cutter. The moving components use simple mechanisms to reduce downtime. The solid-state ceramic bar (printhead) can last up to 10 years or millions of inches.

Green Technology

Since the thermal printer technology doesn't use any parts that need replacement other than a paper roll, it's incredibly friendly to the earth. It's often rated as the cleanest form of printing, with no plastic cartridge replacements in landfills, lower energy consumption, and no hazardous chemicals.

Silent & Space Saving

The thermal printers are near silent with <40 dBA. In comparison, dot matrix and laser printers are loud with 75+ dB(A) and 60 dB(A), respectively. Moreover, the thermal printers have a minimal footprint on desks that provides space savings for other objects. Their near-silent performance makes them ideal for quiet environments like boutiques, libraries, or cramped spaces like food trucks.

Who Benefits From Thermal Printer?

Thermal printers have applications in almost all types of small businesses where a transaction is made. However, their best-case uses are as follows:

• Best for Retail: The speed of thermal printers makes them the workhorses of retail stores. They ensure fast checkouts and enable customization like personalized QR codes. Retailers can opt for high-end dual-color thermal printers to highlight portions of the receipts.

• Best for E-commerce & Logistics: Accurate barcode printing is the strong suit of modern thermal printers. They alight themselves using sensors and print with 0.1mm accuracy. The printing speed of 12 to 14 inches per second helps businesses label over 10,000 packages in a single shift without concern of overheating.

• Best for Manufacturing: Thermal printers can handle the harsh conditions of a manufacturing facility. They create labels that can withstand sub-zero freezer storage -40°C or industrial heat sterilization +150°C without fading. Resin-based thermal transfer printers can print on engines that stay new over the years.

• Best for Hospitality & Catering: In small businesses, noise levels play a vital role in customer experience. Thermal printers are quiet and offer flash alerts to alert chefs.

How to Choose the Right Printer for Your Business

Phase 1: Evaluate Performance

• Volume: Calculate the (receipts per day x length). Choose a desktop for low-volume printing and go for an industrial 250+ mm/s for high-traffic business.

• Longevity: Pick direct thermal printers for receipt printing and go for the thermal transfer printer type in case of label lasting requirement for 6+ months with harsh weather.

• Page Width: For text printing, pick 58mm width, and pick 80mm for professional branding and QR code scanning.

Phase 2: Consider Logistics and Operational Environment

• Workspace Requirement: Pick a stationary desktop thermal printer for counters and a portable wireless design for warehouse or other small businesses.

• Connectivity: USB for static station, Ethernet for network-based business, and WiFi/BT for POS machines.

• Durability: Choose standard for office and IP-rated thermal printers for warehouse and outdoor use.

Phase 3: Integration and Value

• Software Compatibility: Check compatibility with the desired OS and ensure the POS/ERP supports ESC/POS commands

• Finding Break Even: Use the 0$ ink and toner for comparison with other options.

• Test Mechanics: train staff and test mechanisms such as paper loading and the auto-cutter.

Why Pick HOIN Thermal Printers: Ideal for Small Businesses

If you are looking for an ideal solution from an experienced manufacturer that supplies small businesses worldwide, then consider Shenzhen Hoin Electronic Technology Co., Ltd. Their thermal printer range includes direct thermal and thermal transfer printers. There are options that include wireless connectivity and wired connections. Their high-speed, silent, reliable, cost-efficient, tried and tested thermal printers are ideal for small businesses.

FAQs

1. What is the difference between direct thermal and thermal transfer printing?

Direct thermal uses heat-sensitive paper to create black or colored text. Thermal transfer adds a ribbon for durable, fade-resistant prints on varied materials.

2. How long do thermal prints last?

Direct thermal lasts 6 to 12 months under normal conditions but fades with light/heat exposure. Thermal transfer can endure years, even outdoors.

3. Do thermal printers need special paper?

Yes, heat-sensitive thermal paper or standard labels with ribbons, depending on the type of thermal printer. Regular paper won't work.