Why do some printers print without cartridges?

Label printers and label makers, as well as mobile or receipt printers, are among the devices where you will look in vain for ink cartridges or toners. The reason is prosaic. These are thermal printers that operate on a completely different principle than conventional printers, which is why they do not require any cartridges.

Two forms of thermal printing, with the print head in the leading role

The print head with microscopic nozzles plays an important role in inkjet printers, where it is responsible for transferring tiny droplets of ink onto paper, but as we have already indicated, it also takes on a significant role in thermal printing.

The print head intended for thermal printing is equipped with a number of semiconductor heating elements that heat up when electric current passes through them, while upon direct contact with the sensitive layer of the paper, they change its color (it turns black).

Direct printing on special heat-sensitive paper, also known as Direct Thermal, offers several advantages. Ease of use, quiet operation, printing reliability, and the absence of ink are just a fraction of its advantages. Direct thermal printers can impress with their compact dimensions and low weight; a major attraction is their attractive price. However, these devices, like everything else in this world, also have their weaker sides.

Direct thermal printing requires the use of special thermal paper, and the limitation of black-and-white printing only may also be a drawback. Thermal paper is also sensitive to light and heat, which requires greater care during storage, and in addition, its sensitivity also affects the lifespan of printed labels. Direct thermal printers, however, are only one alternative of thermal printing. The second type is thermal transfer printers.

The same method, different media and results

Thermal transfer printers, like Direct Thermal printers, do not require toners or ink cartridges. The principle of printing is essentially the same as with direct printing, except for one detail. This time, a special thermal-sensitive ribbon is placed between the print head with semiconductor heating elements, which, as a result of heat, colors the medium you want to print on.

The medium can be ordinary office paper, labels, plastic cards, and other materials. The good news is also the fact that thermal transfer printing technology also enables color printing. The prints meet even the strictest criteria for quality and durability, but we will briefly discuss these attributes along with their possible applications in the following lines.

Thermal printers are used everywhere, including in retail and industry

Whether we realize it or not, we come into contact with thermal printing in the form of receipts for purchases or services practically every day. However, the use of thermal printers is far more diverse than we can even imagine.

A prime example is label printers, which provide reliable service to electricians, telecommunications installers, and other workers in industrial sectors, but they also find use in offices, parcel delivery companies, hospitals, or transport services, and they are equally useful in e-shops or food service establishments.

When high resistance and durability are required, it is necessary to prioritize printers equipped with thermal transfer printing technology, because labels printed by direct thermal printers may have readability issues due to exposure to sunlight or improper storage. However, it would be a great mistake to think that direct thermal printers will come out on the losing end.

Labels printed by Direct Thermal printers are a good solution for labeling goods or products with fast, undemanding transport or with a shorter lifespan. In addition to stores and transport companies, they can also be applied in the dairy, meat, or other sectors of the food industry.