How Do You Use A Thermal Printer?


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Welcome to this comprehensive article that explains how to use a thermal printer. We will be sharing a step by step guide on how to install, operate, and maintain thermal printers. This is a must-read guide for anyone who wants to start using a thermal printer.

How do you use a thermal printer? After setting up your thermal printer, feed your thermal paper rolls into the printer, as well as ribbons if need be.  Then, install the printer’s driver on your computer. Test the printer by printing a sample page before you start sending printing orders from your computer to the printer.

This sounds like a very easy process but it can get complicated without a guide on each of these steps.  As you read on, we will share a basic guide on how to install, operate, and maintain your thermal printer.

How do you use a thermal printer?

What Are The Things You Need For Thermal Printing?

To use a thermal printer you must purchase a suitable printer for your printing application. You also need thermal paper rolls, and if you are using a thermal transfer printer, you would need thermal ribbons too. Other requirements include a computer and appropriate cables to connect the printer with the computer. You’ll also need software to send your printing commands from the computer to the printer.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these requirements:

A Suitable Printer

There are two major options to choose from if you are purchasing a thermal printer: Direct Thermal or Thermal Transfer printer. Direct thermal printers print directly on heat-sensitive paper by emitting heat from the thermal printhead to the paper. In contrast, thermal transfer printers emit heat from the printhead to thermal ribbons and transfer ink pigments from the ribbon to the paper.

Both options are good but they are suitable for different printing needs. So the first step to using a thermal printer is to find one that suits your needs. Here’s a basic guide on what each type is suitable for.

When Should You Use A Direct Thermal Printer?

Direct thermal printers are suitable when:

  • You are printing a short-term application that doesn’t need archiving
  • The application is mostly for indoor use, without constant exposure to direct sunlight
  • There won’t be exposures to chemicals or extreme temperatures

When Should Use A Thermal Transfer Printer?

Thermal transfer printers are suitable when:

  • You’re printing a long term application, especially those that must meet archiving standards.
  • Your application is for outdoor use, with regular sunlight exposure.
  • There might be contact with harsh chemicals or abrasives.
  • You will be printing high-density barcodes.
  • Color variation is important for your printing application.
  • Your printing applications might require foils, films, and other media types.

Printing Supplies

Printing supplies for thermal printing are not complex to master. Thermal printers only need thermal paper rolls and they are good to go. You don’t need to buy any other supply. But for thermal transfer printers, you need to buy both thermal label rolls and thermal ribbons.

Thermal Labels

You can’t get optimum prints if you don’t get the appropriate label. Two things to watch out for when buying your labels are compatibility and size. The label should be well-matched to your printer and you should choose a size that fits your application and printer.

Direct thermal printers can only use direct thermal papers. However, thermal transfer printers can use a variety of print media. These include both paper and synthetic media, such as vinyl and plastic labels. As regards size, make sure the label fits the width of your printer and is good for your printing needs.

Thermal Ribbons

You need thermal ribbons for thermal transfer printing. There are three types to choose from. Wax ribbons are of the lowest quality while resin ribbons are of the highest quality. Wax/resin ribbons usually contain an equal amount of wax and resin materials, so they are of intermediate quality. The cost implications of the different ribbon types are in line with their quality.

If you want a long-term/permanent application, resin ribbon is what you need. They are also the best for synthetic media. Resin ribbons can withstand moisture, harsh chemicals, and sunlight exposure. You can count on them for long-term outdoor applications.

Computer and Software

Any computing device will do so long it is compatible with the printer and can host the appropriate software. Examples of computing devices include laptops, desktop computers, tablets, and phones. To determine the compatible devices you can use with your printer, check the printer’s specifications to find out its connectivity.

A computing device alone is not enough. You need software on your computer to send printing commands to the printer. If you will be designing product labels, you would need a design software program. Printing receipts, shipping barcodes, and other special applications also require special software programs.

Fix the Hardware Connections

Your hardware devices, namely computer and printer, are useless if you don’t plug them in. The first step is to connect the power cords of each device. Then, you would connect the devices. When both devices are running and can communicate with each other, you are almost set for your printing to begin.

Cable Connections

The first connection you should do is the power cable. One end of the power cable will go into your device and you will plug the other end into the electric socket. But after this, don’t switch on the printer yet. While connecting the printer to the computer, make sure the printer is switched off. It is better and safer to turn the power button on only after you have connected all the cables.

Direct or Network Connection

There are two types of connections for thermal printers. Direct connection applies when you are using just one computer. In this case, all you need do is to plug one end of the USB cord in your printer and the other end on your computer.

But if you are using multiple computers, you will be using a network connection. To do this, plug one end of the cord (usually a CAT-5 cable) to your printer and the other end into the network router. That way, all the devices connected to that network can send printing commands to the laptop.

Feed the Paper Roll

When should you feed a paper roll into your new thermal printer? You should feed a paper roll you’re your new printer before you install the printer’s driver on your computer. After installation, you would be required to print a test page to confirm that all is set. If you have not fed in the paper roll, you will not be able to print the test page.

Install The Printer’s Driver

If your printer requires a driver, make sure you install the driver on your computer. The driver could come as a disc with your printer or you may download it online. After inserting the disc or downloading the driver, run the setup and follow all the promptings until the driver is installed. Make sure not to switch off your computer until the installation process is complete.

During installation, you will have to customize certain settings. Be sure to put in the appropriate settings that fit your printing needs. Many of these settings have to do with the speed and quality of printing outputs. Just remember that higher-quality and faster printing will put more strain on the printer and cause faster wear and tear.

After customizing your settings, make sure to click “Save” before closing the window. If you are not sure of how to customize your settings, you can get technical support. After saving the settings, print a test page to see a sample of your outputs. From then, you can start sending printing orders from your computer to your printer.

✅ Video – Thermal Printers: Installation and Setup with USB

This is a visual guide on how to install and set up your thermal printer. You will see where to put each cable and the step by step process of installation. With this guide, you can install and set up your thermal printer like a pro.

Maintenance Tips

Here are a few maintenance tips to pay attention to when you are using a thermal printer:

  • Cover your printer whenever it is out of use. This will prevent the accumulation of debris and dust. If debris and dust accumulate in your printer, they can cause damage.
  • Clean the printhead with soft clothing material or thermal printer cleaning pen each time you feed new paper rolls. Doing this maximizes the lifespan of your printhead and optimizes printing quality. Check the printer’s instruction manual for directions on how to safely clean the printhead.
  • Use the recommended supplies for your printer. There might be cheaper options but they are usually of low quality and can damage the machine in the long run.

Related Questions

Can You Use Regular Paper In A Thermal Printer?

You shouldn’t use regular paper for thermal printing. To start with, direct thermal printers will not print on regular papers because the papers do not contain heat-sensitive dye pigments. Secondly, remember that the elements of thermal printheads are not designed for regular papers. Abrasion from regular papers can damage the printhead of your thermal printer.

The best practice is to use the appropriate paper type for each printing technology. This will ensure high-quality printing and secure the longevity of your printer. Don’t use regular papers in thermal printers and don’t use thermal papers in regular printers.

What Are The Advantages of Thermal Printers?

Thermal printers have an unbeatable print speed and they work quietly too. Their running costs are also low because they use neither ink nor toner cartridges. Thermal printers also have a shorter downtime and often last longer than standard printers.

Thermal printers can produce images within milliseconds and you can pick up the label immediately. It takes some time for inks to dry when you use standard printers. Thermal printers are indeed money-savers and time-savers.

What Are The Disadvantages of A Thermal Printer?

The upfront cost of buying thermal printers is usually higher than that of standard printers. As regards print quality, thermal printers have color limitations and the outputs have very strict storage requirements, especially if you are using a direct thermal printer.

We have a comprehensive article on the disadvantages of thermal printers. If you want to know these disadvantages and how they weigh up against thermal printer advantages, you should read the article here.

Conclusion

Thermal printers have become a leading light across several industries. Manufacturers, distributors, retailers, and even the financial and healthcare sectors now use thermal printers. Your small business would benefit from using thermal printers. Learning how to use thermal printers is worth it. It will improve the efficacy of your business operations and help cut your running costs.

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