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Both use heat to produce an image, but they do it in very different ways.

One of the most common questions in our industry is: ‘What’s the difference between thermal transfer and direct thermal printing?’ These two different types of technology both use heat to produce an image, but they do it in very different ways.

Direct Thermal technology requires no ink or ribbons. However, it does require special thermal paper. Direct Thermal technology works because the thermal paper reacts to heat and changes colour (mostly from white to black, but red is also possible). With Direct Thermal printing, the printer head heats up, and when paper passes over it, it reacts to the heat and changes colour.

Direct Thermal printing technology is found at almost every point of sale. It is what gives you your debit and credit card transaction receipts, it’s what usually prints your restaurant bill, and it’s been used in fax machines for decades.

Thermal Transfer technology uses a special wax or resin ribbon to print an image. Thermal Transfer technology uses the printer head to melt the wax or resin on the ribbon and applies it to the chosen surface. Thermal Transfer technology produces more durable images as well as images of higher resolution.

Most high-end barcode printers can perform both tasks, Direct Thermal and Thermal Transfer, it is mostly a questions of use. For example, if you need to scan barcodes from a distance, thermal transfer would be better and more reliable, if all you have to do is hand someone a receipt, or you only need something relatively temporary, then Direct Thermal is the way to go.