Top 10 Thermal Printer Manufacturers in the Markets

Before we move on to the top 10 thermal printer manufacturers, it's important to consider how big the thermal transfer printer market really is. As the graph shows, the thermal printer market trend is continuously increasing and is projected to increase further owing to the expansion of businesses worldwide.

As per the stats and data, in the year 2021, the thermal transfer printer market was valued at approximately $384.2 Million and has continued to climb to $430.1 Million in 2024. This trend shows the continuous rise in demand. The forecasts predict a continual rise in the market size of thermal printers through 2034, where the market value is expected to double the initial figures.

Market Segmentation and Trends

When it comes to the market share controlled by thermal printers, the growth is primarily divided into three distinct segments shown in the market data:

1. Industrial Thermal Printers: The largest market share occupied in the thermal transfer printer market is by industrial thermal printers. It is primarily due to the progressing industries requiring more complex, heavy-duty, and high-volume barcode printing in warehouses and industries.
2. Desktop Thermal Printers: After industrial thermal printers, desktop thermal printers come next due to the high usage in offices, small shipping centers, and healthcare admissions.
3. Mobile Thermal Printers: Mobile thermal printers control the lowest market share in the thermal printer market, but the trend is projected to increase due to the rise of mobile point-of-sale (mPOS) systems, an increase in e-commerce, and delivery services.

2. Top 10 List of Thermal Printer Manufacturers

With so many manufacturers in the market, it's easier to get confused when choosing the right one. We have compiled the list of the top 10 manufacturers that range from legacy American corporations to high-tech Asian manufacturers, all offering thermal printing solutions that cater to different user requirements and use cases, but it's crucial to choose the right manufacturer to ensure your business or industrial demands are met. Below, we have a list of the top 10 Thermal Printer Manufacturers that are currently dominating the market.

2.1 Zebra Technologies Corporation

When it comes to choosing a manufacturer that is well recognized in the industry, Zebra Technologies comes at the top of the list. Behind such widespread recognition is their 50+ years of experience in the industry, which has led them to build thermal printers that are rugged and can provide industrial-grade printing. What makes them popular amongst users is the amazing durability of their printers that can handle harsh environments like dusty warehouses and manufacturing floors. With such durability, they also offer their Zebra DNA™ software tools for your printers to enable smart capabilities, which configure faster, protect data, and prevent issues before they disrupt operations. However its important to note that with such brand value and software comes at a premium price point, which can turn out to be a hefty investment for small businesses looking towards printing solutions.

2.2 Honeywell International Inc.

Looking for a US-based brand that gives direct competition to a well-settled thermal printer manufacturer like Zebra Technologies, Honeywell International Inc. can be your choice. Although their printers are rigid, Honeywell’s biggest selling point is its smart printing solutions. They provide an ecosystem that can integrate all their printers with their broader ecosystem of barcode scanners and mobile computers. With Honeywell, clients don’t just buy printers; they buy an ecosystem that can fulfill their industrial or business needs.

2.3 Hoin Electronic Technology Co., Ltd.

Hoin Printer is a brand that specializes in manufacturing and supplying thermal printers. What makes them stand out amongst the top manufacturer in the market is their competitive prices with top-notch features and great build quality. They are strong in providing POS solutions, mobile printers, and barcode scanners that are not only great at meeting industrial requirements but also cater to the needs of small businesses. One of the sectors in which Hoin Electronic Technology excels the most is strong OEM/ODM capabilities. Hoin Printer , with their professional 10+ years of providing quality thermal printers, understands the industry's needs and provides customized solutions and branding to ensure the businesses get the most personalized solutions that are a best fit for their business needs. Hoin is a brand that is not known for its name but for the quality and customization required for businesses that are scaling up their operations.

4. Factors to Choose the Ideal Thermal Printer Manufacturer

Choosing the right manufacturer of thermal printers is not as simple as selecting based on the price point. Below are mentioned some of the key-features that are crucial to ensure your business requirements are met: 

4.1 Print Speed and Resolution (DPI)

Print speed may not initially look that appealing to look out for, but if you translate those milliseconds difference to each receipt or shipping label printed, translates into hours, not only costing time but also money. It's better to look for printers that ideally offer speeds of 200mm/s to 300mm/s. Furthermore its crucial to ensure that the thermal printer gives out prints that are scannable, crucial for scanning barcodes for logistics and shipping labels. A standard 203 DPI is considered acceptable, but for smaller labels, it's better to ensure DPIs above 300 for improved scannability. 

4.2 Connectivity Options

• USB/LAN: Standard for fixed POS stations.

• Bluetooth/WiFi: Essential for mobile printers and modern tablet-based POS systems.

• Cloud Printing: Some manufacturers excel in providing an ecosystem that interlinks all the printers together, which allows printing directly from the web server. 

4.3 OEM/ODM Customization Capabilities

If you are a retailer, distributor, or supplier, you might want to build your brand value. When choosing a manufacturer, it's important to consider whether the manufacturer you are choosing provides OEM/ODM customization. If yes, do they require massive MOQs (minimum order quantities), and how much customization do these brands offer? When it comes to building your brand value, it's always better to have the most amount of customization, like a custom logo, specific firmware, or unique casing colors, so it's always better to choose a manufacturer that allows for such customizations. 

4.4 Durability and Environment

The surrounding environmental conditions do matter a lot when it comes to choosing a thermal printer. If the surrounding conditions are dusty, such as warehouses or being used in kitchens, it's better to look for a brand that offers great durability with additional safety considerations like IP ratings and ISO certifications. 

4.5 After-Sales Support and SDKs

If the hardware is present but the software won’t work, the printer is of no use. Before choosing a manufacturer, it's always crucial to ensure that the manufacturer provides their software support across a wide range of OS, like IOS, Android, and Windows, to ensure usability across multiple devices. 

Conclusion

The thermal printer market is on a continuous rise and is expected to rise further as the world progresses, but the main question lies in how well you adapt your business towards more intelligent and better thermal printers to ensure the progress of your business as you expand. 

One of the biggest factors that matters the most in choosing a thermal printer is the manufacturer. Cost or name doesn’t always matter, but whether the brand provides solutions that are catered to your specific industry needs sometimes matters the most. At the top of the list, you may find big names Zebra and Honeywell, but are you prepared to pay such a high cost for your business, or is it better to look out for other names that are also providing industry-level solutions, as well as small-scale solutions to businesses that are constantly looking for a thermal printer supplier that offers reliable, durable printers without the hefty cost of big names. One such name that you may encounter is Hoin Electronic Technology due to their understanding of the industry and providing personalized solutions and customizations that a business requires for growth. 

To conclude, choosing the right thermal printer manufacturer is the first and most important step towards achieving a solution to all your thermal printing needs.  

FAQ

Q1.What types of receipt printers do manufacturers typically produce?

Thermal printer manufacturers typically produce two main types of thermal printers:

1. Direct Thermal Printers: To create an image on the paper, these printers heat specially treated paper in a specific way create black-and-white images ideal for generating receipts and short-term shipping labels. Although they don't require ink or ribbon, the printed image on paper will fade away after a period of time. 

2. Thermal Transfer Printers: They work by melting a coating of ribbon on the material. It is great for industries that requires long lasting printed labels that do not fade away when exposed to heat or sunlight. 

Q2. How can I choose the right receipt printer for my business? 

Start by analyzing your volume and environment.

• For Retail/POS: Prioritize print speed and auto-cutter lifespans. Look for USB/LAN connectivity.

• For Mobile/Delivery: Prioritize battery life, weight, and Bluetooth connectivity.

• For Branding: If you are a distributor, look for a manufacturer like Hoin that offers OEM services to put your brand on the device.

Q3. What is the average lifespan of a thermal printer?

The lifespan of a thermal printer is usually measured in kilometers of paper printed by the thermal head (TPH) and the number of cuts for the cutter.

• Print Head: A good quality thermal head should last between 100km and 150km of printing.

• Cutter: A durable auto-cutter generally lasts for 1 million to 1.5 million cuts.
  With proper maintenance (regular cleaning of the print head with alcohol), a thermal printer can last 5 to 10 years in a moderate usage environment.