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This post discusses the best direct thermal printers you can use for printing labels, receipts, and barcodes. You will learn about the benefits of direct thermal printers and how you can find a suitable brand for your printing applications. We know that there are many brands of direct thermal printers and most brands have multiple products on the market. So to save you the stress of sorting through these many options, we have compiled this list and created a buying guide to help you. We examined the customer reviews and ratings of diverse products and the ones on this list came out tops. Keep reading to find more information.
What Is the Best Direct Thermal Printer for Labels, Barcodes, and Receipts?
The best direct thermal printer is one that can meet your printing needs satisfactorily. It should be able to print quality images at a high speed. The printer should also be durable and easy to maintain. And it should be within your budget.
✅ This specific product is our choice. It is a cost-effective printer that will give you clear, crisp prints at a high speed. You can use this product to print a vast array of customized labels, graphics, barcodes, etc.
If you base your choice on the claims of manufacturers, you may end up buying the wrong product. But if you look at what customers are saying, you will ascertain whether the direct thermal printer you’re considering would meet your needs or not. Customer reviews will give you an idea of how the printer works and the quality of labels, receipts, and barcodes it prints. Customers also share their views on the disadvantages of the product.
Why Should You Consider Buying A Direct Thermal Printer?
These are some of the reasons why you should consider buying a direct thermal printer:
- They are your best bet if you run a small- to medium-sized business or office.
- They are not only smaller, but they are also faster and work quietly
- Direct thermals also save more energy and require fewer supplies.
- Like all thermal printers, they don’t require inks.
- Unlike thermal transfer printers, they don’t need thermal ribbons.
- If your business prints labels, receipts, or barcodes daily, direct thermals will help you save money.
Who Needs a Direct Thermal Printer?
Grocery stores, schools, churches, warehouses, hospitals, transport companies, and many other industries now use direct thermals. Direct thermals have become more popular these days and many businesses now rely on direct thermals for their printing solutions. If you print labels, barcodes, receipts, tickets, and tags, you should get a direct thermal printer.
The reviews in this post are based on our research and feedback form verified customers who have used direct thermal printers. Keep reading to find out more about the best direct thermal printers for labels, barcodes, and receipts.
Top 10 Best Direct Thermal Printers for Labels, Barcodes, Receipts
Below is a list of the top 10 best direct thermal printers for labels, barcodes, and receipts on Amazon. We have also included a well-researched review of each product on our list.
#1. DYMO Labelwriter 450 Thermal Label Printer
DYMO is a leading light among producers of thermal printers. It remains one of the best-rated brands on the market. This LabelWriter DYMO 450 model produces top quality products with ease. What’s more, it’s cheap, reliable, and produces quick labels. In just one minute, this product can print over 70 labels. It is ideal for diverse filing and labeling needs.
As regards connectivity, you can connect this printer directly to PCs and Mac devices. This means you can print a vast array of customized labels, graphics, barcodes, etc. This printer even allows direct printing from popular software programs like Microsoft Word and Mac OS Address Book. Overall, this is a perfect choice for producing high-quality customized labels with ease and speed.
✅ Video – DYMO LABEL PRINTER 450 – REVIEW AND DEMO
#2. ROLLO Shipping Label Direct Thermal Printer
This product is a perfect tool for commercial applications where the daily workload is huge. It can handle as much as 5,000 labels in a day and all of them will be crystal-clear. The prints are also very fast and durable. More so, ROLLO printers are reputed to be flexible because they can print any size of label, including Uline and UPS labels. This printer is compatible with every shipping platform you can think of and meets the quality shipping standards of top couriers.
One amazing feature you’ll find on this printer is its ability to identify labels. It can automatically detect label size and other properties for faster and easier label loading. If you are looking for a modern but rugged printer that would last long and produce quality prints, this product is a good option. Aside from shipping labels, this printer can also produce warehouse labels, FBA labels, and identification labels, among other labeling applications.
✅ Video – ROLLO Shipping Label Printer FULL REVIEW
#3. MUNBYN Thermal Label Printer
This is a mobile printer that is easy to carry around. You can also use it at home and in your office for label printing. It’s suitable for producing on-demand receipts anytime and anywhere. One big advantage this printer offers is its multiple connectivity capabilities. These include USB, RS-232, and Bluetooth connections. It is also compatible with POS Android software. As such, it can connect easily with mobile devices for printing on the go.
At a speed of 90mm/sec, the MUNBYM thermal printer is fast enough for home businesses and small offices with a minimal to average printing workload. One other interesting thing we found out is that this printer has large paper storage. This eliminates frequent paper replacement, an issue that plagues many other models on the market.
When fully charged, the rechargeable 1500mAh Li-ion battery in this printer can last up to 5-6 days straight. It is indeed among the best options for anyone looking for an easy-to-carry long use printer for both indoor and outdoor use.
✅ Video – Munbyn Thermal Label Printer and Barcode Scanner
#4. Arkscan 2054A Shipping Label Printer
What sets this printer apart is its print speed and multi-functionality. It can produce clear shipping labels, product labels, and barcode labels, among other labeling applications for different purposes. As regards speed, this printer prints 5 inches of label per second. This means that in only 1.2 seconds, you’ll print a 4X6 inches shipping label.
Arkscan 2054A is compatible with all types of thermal papers. And in just a few minutes, you can set it up with no need for a technician. The device comes with design software for making label templates. The software features design capabilities for text, graphics, barcodes, and serializing. What’s more, all of these come at an affordable price.
✅ Video – Updated Setup Guide – Arkscan 2054A Thermal Shipping Label Printer Tutorial
#5. Star Micronics TSP143III Thermal Receipt Printer
This is one of the most popular receipt printers you’ll find. It is sturdy, easy to use and set up, suitable for various types of businesses, and fast. Its print speed is higher than the average business would require. As touching aesthetics, the design is sleek and compact. So it is not only appealing to the eyes but also fits well into tight spaces for easy access and storage.
Micronics TSP143III has amazing connectivity capabilities. It will connect easily with other hardware components of your Point of Sale system. There’s no reason to worry about issues relating to incompatibility when you’re using this printer. It also uses the Ethernet (LAN) connection.
✅ Video – TSP143IIIU Thermal Printer – Faster, Easier, Better!
#6. Epson TM-T20II Direct Thermal Printer
This is another product you can count on to print quality receipts for your business. Epson products are generally reliable and create excellent prints. But this one stands out as a top-notch thermal printer that is compatible with frontline mobile OS devices, Android, Windows, and iOS devices. It also has USB connectivity for computers and other USB-compatible devices. As such, it is a flexible printer that can work with most devices.
Epson TM-T20II prints at 200mm/second speed, which is well above average for small retailers. What’s more, the setup is not complicated and it’s easy to operate. This is one of the top-notch options you should consider if your small business needs a receipt printer.
✅ Video – Epson TM-T20ii Thermal Printer Review and Demonstration
#7. Zebra – GC420d Direct Thermal Desktop Printer
This is a commercial-grade printer designed for reliable and long-lasting performance. You can count on the GC420d printer to produce high-quality receipts, tags, and wristbands, as well as crisp barcode, address, mailing, shipping, binder, and file folder labels. Some people say it’s quite costly but it offers a more precise printing experience than many other printers. You can fine-tune it to create prints just the way you want it.
✅ Video – Zebra GC420d Direct Thermal Printer Review
#8. MFLABEL Thermal Label Printer
The MFLAEL thermal printer will make your printing works easy. It is compatible with both the old and newer models of Windows and Mac OS. In these days, where modern printers hardly support old models like Windows XP, this product offers this connectivity. More so, it is a lightweight and compact product that you can take with you from place to place. You can also use it in offices where the space is tight.
This printer combines easy setup and installation with excellent printing quality and speed. And it does not cost much. It’s a cheap tool for producing fast and convenient labels.
✅ Video – MFLABEL Label Printer, 4×6 Thermal Printer, Commercial Direct Thermal High
#9. NETUM High-Speed Thermal Label Printer
The NETUM high-speed printer is known for its high quality 4X6 shipping labels. Like the ROLLO shipping label direct thermal printer, this product also automatically identifies labels. It detects the label and automatically feeds it for printing. You don’t have to do that manually. The only major limitation with this product is that you can’t use it to print any label that’s more than 4.1-inches wide.
However, there’s so much you can do with this printer. It easily prints shipping, warehouse, FedEx, Jewries, Amazon, and eBay labels, among others. Its print speed is 150mm per second, which is great. As regards compatibility, you can use this NETUM thermal printer with most Mac and Windows devices.
✅ Video – NETUM Label Printer, High Speed Commercial Grade Direct Thermal Printer
#10. Phomemo Thermal Label Printer
Last on our top-10 list is the Phomemo thermal printer, which conveniently prints 4 x 6 labels at a high print speed. Its size fits well into compact spaces, so you don’t have to worry if you’re working from a small office. Similar to the NETUM high-speed printer, its print speed is 150mm per second.
The Phomemo printer comes with an in-built battery that can last for 12 hours straight printing when fully charged. More so, it is compatible with most leading shipping platforms, including Amazon, Etsy, and Shopify, among others.
✅ Video – Phomemo thermal label printer review
What Is A Direct Thermal Printer?
Direct thermal printers are one of the two main types of thermal printers. The other thermal printer type is thermal transfer. Direct thermals are digital printers that produce labels, barcodes, and receipts by applying heat directly to heat-sensitive (or thermochromic) papers. Small businesses prefer direct thermal printers because they are easy to operate and maintain. They also print quietly and at a fast speed.
How Does A Direct Thermal Printer Work?
Direct thermal printers use thermal printing technology. This means that the printhead does not release ink but rather emits heat to create images. In direct thermal printing the printhead emits heat directly to selective spots on heat-sensitive thermal papers. The heat-sensitive pigments on these papers turn dark wherever hot printhead pins touch the paper.
How Long Do Direct Thermal Labels Last?
Direct thermal labels will expire if unused within one to three years after the date of production. But used direct thermal labels can retain their images for about seven years. This however depends on the printer you use and how well you store the label. Most printed labels, however, last for just a few months because of improper storage. To make them last longer store thermal labels away from heat direct sunlight moisture and other dangerous elements.
Can Direct Thermal Printers Print Color?
Most direct thermal printers are monochrome, meaning they can only print one color. A few products can print two colors, usually black and red. Some direct thermals, however, print blue color instead of black. Some recent models of direct thermal printers allow for multi-color printing (sometimes up to 6) by applying heat to different spots on the label at different temperatures.
Is A Direct Thermal Printer Worth It?
Direct thermal printers are more expensive than regular printers but they are worth the investment. The difference in the upfront costs of purchase does not compare with the difference in maintenance costs. While regular printers require many printing supplies and regular maintenance, direct thermals only require label papers and have less moving parts. They, therefore, have a shorter downtime and cost less to maintain.
What Is The Difference Between Thermal Transfer And Direct Thermal Printers?
The use of ribbons is the most apparent difference between direct thermal and thermal transfer printers. While thermal transfer printers need thermal ribbons to create images, direct thermals do not need ribbons. Their printheads apply heat directly to heat-sensitive thermal papers.
Thermal transfer, on the other hand, uses an indirect thermal printing mechanism. They apply heat to thermal ribbons and melt the ribbon’s pigments onto the label. What’s more, direct thermals often print only in black, but thermal transfers offer more color variations depending on the ribbon color you are using.
Direct Thermal Printer Uses
The ideal applications of thermal transfer printing are receipts and shipping labels. You can also use them for printing product labels, but they’re not the best for that. The best cases to use direct thermal printers are as follows:
- Barcode applications for shipping labels
- Visitor or patient identification tags
- Receipts
- Wristbands
- Tickets
Some direct thermal printers are enabled to print RFID labels. You can read our post on the best RFID printers to learn more about them.
Bear in mind never to use direct thermals in areas with high temperatures or excessive heat. Also avoid areas prone to direct sunlight, like window areas. In these conditions, the label will darken because of their heat-sensitive nature and you would lose whatever information you print on it.
Direct Thermal Printer Labels
Direct thermal printers need specialty papers because of their special printing mechanism. Direct thermals use no ink but they can create images on thermal papers because the papers contain heat-sensitive ink pigments. When thermal papers pass under hot thermal printheads, heat activates the pigments in the paper and causes images to appear.
However, direct thermal papers are not created equal. They differ in levels of sensitivity to light, heat, moisture, abrasion, and chemicals. Some papers are more stable than others because of these factors, and this affects the durability and lifespan of the labels, receipts, and barcodes you make with them.
Aside from paper stock, you can also use synthetic media (or printable films) for direct thermal printing. Synthetic media are better than paper stock for outdoor labels. Direct thermal printer label rolls made of synthetic media offer better fade resistance and can withstand higher temperatures, water, UV light, and other elements.
Direct Thermal Printing Temperature
Direct thermal printers can tolerate colder temperatures better than thermal transfers. But still, they can have problems with print quality if the temperature is too cold, especially if it falls below 5° Celsius. The temperature of heat that the printhead generates also matters. But what matters the most is to strike a balance between the printhead temperature setting and print speed.
Printer manufacturers often recommend the appropriate heat setting for their products. So check the user manual for the manufacturer’s recommendation. If you aren’t sure what to do, you may consult experts to help you with the heat setting while setting up your thermal printer.
Direct Thermal Printers Features
Here are a few special features to watch out for when you’re buying a direct thermal printer. These features would offer your printer better functionality.
Wireless Thermal Printers
Mobile-friendly thermal printers have wireless connectivity. And these days, wireless connectivity has become golden because it allows for seamless integration between your direct thermal printer and POS setup. You can use them without cables and some are so portable that you can carry them around. Two common examples are Bluetooth thermal printers and Wi-Fi thermal printers.
Bluetooth Thermal Printers
Bluetooth thermal printers are good for environments where space is a problem. And since they use a flexible connection interface, they are mobile-friendly. However, Bluetooth connectivity only works when the distance is short. It takes a longer time for the printer to receive printing signals when the distance is long.
Bluetooth thermal printers may experience delays in printing or disconnect intermittently if the distance is too long. So make sure to keep the devices close when you are using a Bluetooth direct thermal printer.
Wi-Fi Thermal Printers
Wi-Fi thermal printers are Ethernet printers that don’t use routers because they have an in-built Wi-Fi facility. You can connect the printer directly to your computer using Wi-Fi radio waves instead of cables. This flexible connectivity also makes Wi-Fi thermal printers mobile-friendly.
Direct Thermal Printer with Cutter
Some direct thermal printers have an in-built cutter. These are often of two types. Manual tear cutters will help cut the label after printing when you draw the label across the cutter. This is the most common type you see in portable thermal printers. Auto-cutters, on the other hand, cut the direct thermal print automatically after printing. Direct thermal printers with an in-built cutter will help you save time and reduce stress.
Direct Thermal Printer Not Printing
Your direct thermal printer might be producing blank labels for the following reasons:
Clogged Printhead
The most common problem is when debris accumulates on the printhead. If this happens, heat from the thermal printhead will not reach the paper. Stuck labels can also cause the same problem. To solve this problem clean your printhead each time you put in a new thermal label roll. Also, check to be sure that there is no stuck paper in your direct thermal printer.
Low Heat Setting
Thermal papers differ in their sensitivity to heat, so if you just bought a new set of paper rolls, you might need to adjust your printer’s settings. A lower heat (or in some thermal printers, darkness) setting may not produce any image on some thermal labels.
Wrong Media
Be sure that you are using a direct thermal label. Direct thermal printing requires the use of special labels that contain a layer of heat-sensitive pigments. If you use regular papers or a thermal transfer label, it will come out blank.
Direct Thermal vs. Thermal Transfer Printer
Both direct thermal and thermal transfer printers make crisp and high-quality prints. They are, however, suitable for different printing applications. For starters, direct thermal printers are mostly for short-term applications while thermal transfer printers are suitable for long-term applications. Direct thermals are also more suitable for indoor applications while thermal transfers are more suitable for outdoor applications.
Benefits of Direct Thermal Printers
The following are some of the amazing benefits of direct thermal printers:
Fast Printing
Many industries are switching to direct thermals because of their fast printing. At grocery stores, for instance, it only takes less than a second for thermal printers to produce a receipt. Conversely, traditional printers can take minutes to produce a receipt. That’s why you can count on direct thermals for large scale printing applications that involve hundreds of receipts, labels, and barcodes.
Accurate Prints
Thermal papers contain inbuilt ink pigments that are activated by heat. This means that ink does not have to come from the printhead. As such, you can expect a more accurate image on your thermal label. This explains why hospitals use thermal printers for electrocardiograms. Doctors can trust what they see on the result because they are highly accurate and will aid them in giving a correct interpretation.
Fewer Supplies
Direct thermals need fewer supplies than other printer types. The only printing supply you need for direct thermal printing is a thermal paper roll. The printers require no ink cartridges or toners because the printhead applies heat instead of ink. There is no chance of suddenly running out of ink while printing labels or receipts.
Cost-effective
Thermal printers may cost more to purchase but in the long run, they are pocket-friendly. You only have to purchase paper rolls and nothing more. You don’t need to bother about spending a fortune on cartridges. Can you imagine how much you will spend on cartridges every month if you’re printing hundreds of labels daily? That’s how much you will save if you’re using a direct thermal printer.
More so, direct thermals have a few moving parts. So they require less expenditure on maintenance. The only cost you would incur for maintaining a direct thermal printer is the cost of cleaning the printhead.
Reliable Printing
Direct thermals are reliable because they have a shorter downtime and never run out of ink. More so, you wouldn’t have to deal with paper jams. Thermal papers rarely jam if ever, because the printheads have little to no moving parts.
Direct Thermal Printer Buying Guide: 5 Things to Consider When Buying Direct a Thermal Printer
There are a few factors to consider in making sure that you buy the right direct thermal printer for your printing applications. We have listed 5 of these factors below. Think well about them before you start shopping for printers. It would help to create a checklist with these factors to narrow down your options.
Label Size
Direct thermal printers are of different sizes depending on the label size they can print. So be sure of the label size you would be printing before you purchase a printer. Buying an 8-inch wide printer will be a waste of money if you’ll only be printing 2-inch wide labels. Meanwhile, a 2-inch wide printer will be totally useless if you intend to print 8-inch wide labels.
Find out the maximum width of labels rolls you will be using and choose a printer that’s big enough for that size. Don’t go too low or too high.
Printing Volume
Calculate your average weekly printing volume. How many labels are you likely to be printing every week? If your print volume will be in thousands of labels at a time, make sure to buy an industrial-grade thermal printer. The manufacturer’s specifications on cheaper portable printers might say that it can handle high-volume printing. But industrial-grade thermal printers are still not the best fit for high-volume printing.
Print Resolution
If you are printing receipts that do not require ultra-fine prints and have no barcodes, you can go for low-resolution direct thermal printers. These have a resolution of about 203dpi. But if you are printing shipping labels with barcodes or applications that require fine text, you need a high-resolution thermal printer. These printers have a resolution of 300dpi to 600dpi, or even higher.
Connectivity
To start with, how do you intend to use your printer? Do you prefer a cable connection or a wireless connection? Do you want a mobile-friendly printer? These should determine your choice of printer. Before making payments for a printer, be sure that it offers your preferred connection interface. Some common connectivity options include Bluetooth, USB, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi.
The same direct thermal printer can have dozens of versions with different connectivity options. This can be annoying if you request for a specific product you have heard about, and you didn’t bother to check the connectivity. Connectivity differences also mean that a product that meets all your needs now might become useless later on if you decide to change your connection interface.
Software License
You may end up spending heavily on software licenses if you don’t check this before buying your thermal printer. Some printers come with licensed-per-use software. This means that you can only install the software on a single PC. If you want other people in your office to use the same printer, you will have to pay for the license. And sometimes, the license costs a fortune.
FAQs
Do Thermal Printers Need Ink?
Direct thermals don’t require ink cartridges or toners for printing because the thermal printing mechanism is inkless. Instead of ink, all thermal printers use heat to create imprints on the labels. In direct thermal printers, heat reacts directly with thermochromic paper stock to produce images. The paper turns black on spots where the thermal printhead applies its heated pins.
Are Direct Thermal Labels Waterproof?
Paper materials are generally neither waterproof nor water-resistant. However, direct thermal printable films, made from plastic media are water-resistant and have waterproof properties too. These are good for some outdoor applications. You can also add a laminate or varnish finish to your direct thermal labels to make them water-resistant.
What is Better: Direct Thermal or Thermal Transfer?
Direct thermal printing is the best choice for short-term labels because they are cheaper. However, their lifespan might not be suitable for long-term applications. Thermal transfers often last longer, so they are more suitable for long-term labels. In most cases, thermal transfer printers trump direct thermals but the better option often depends on your peculiar printing needs.
Do Thermal Printers Need Special Paper?
Yes, thermal printers need special paper to make labels, receipts, and barcodes. This special paper is called thermal paper. Thermal papers are special because they are thermochromic (heat-sensitive). When any part of the paper comes in touch with heat, it turns black. That’s why thermal printers do not use ink. All they need to create images is heat from the thermal printhead.
Can You Use Thermal Transfer Labels In A Direct Thermal Printer?
Thermal transfer labels are not compatible with direct thermal printers. The only papers that work with direct thermals are direct thermal papers because of their heat-sensitive pigments. Thermal transfer printers don’t have heat-sensitive pigments, so they can’t produce images if you pass them through direct thermal printers.
The End
We believe you have learned a lot from this post on the best direct thermal printers for labels, barcodes, and receipts. There are several direct thermal printers from various manufacturers, but you want to make sure that whatever option you purchase will satisfy your printing needs. We hope this review and buying guide has given you all the necessary information that you need to find the most suitable product for your printing application. Consider the products on our top 10 list and compare them carefully before making a decision.
