Thermal Printers vs Inkjet Printers: Which Is Right for Your Business?

Thermal printer vs inkjet printer is among the most important factors when selecting the right printer for your business. Which one has nicer effects? Which is right for your business? It depends, like everything else in print. It depends on the nature of your business, volume, the material you want to print on, and so on.  This article will look further into both types of printers to assist you in this decision.

Introduction: Understanding the Printer Types.

Which is right when choosing between thermal printers and inkjet printers for your business?  A company that prints regularly needs to have a good printing system. To understand how these printers differ, you must know which printer does what. So, use them wisely depending on your needs, whether labels, barcodes, invoices, or printing materials like flyers.

This article will discuss the benefits of thermal and inkjet printers, how they work, and which business needs each printer is best for. This guide will help you choose the right printer for your business.

What Are Thermal Printers?

Thermal printers are specialized printers that create an image on paper using heat. Printing with thermal ink is either done directly on the paper or using thermal transfer printers.

These printers use heat-sensitive paper that goes black when exposed to heat. Compared to ink and toner cartridges, they need fewer consumables. Use a direct thermal printer to print receipts, barcodes, or labels.

Thermal transfer printers use heat to stamp ink onto a ribbon and paper. The result is a durable, high-quality print. This method is used for shipping labels and product packaging when labels need to last longer. 

One key benefit of thermal printers is their efficiency. People generally consider them quick, dependable, and low-maintenance. These devices can benefit business owners who need frequent and high-volume printing.

What Are Inkjet Printers?

An inkjet printer uses liquid ink rather than toner, differentiating it from laser printers. They are more versatile than thermal printers because they can accurately print color and black-and-white images. Inkjet printers are often used to print advertising material, pictures, and quality documents.

Tiny nozzles spray ink onto the paper. That is how Inkjet printers work. The ink dries quickly on the paper, resulting in a sharp image. Inkjet printers are offered in different models that vary in speed, resolution, and functions. 

Businesses that make documents with high-quality color images and text should use an inkjet printer. Still, they tend to have costly operations, as you must constantly replenish the ink cartridge.

Thermal Printer vs Inkjet Printer – What Is the Difference?

Comparison of Thermal Printer vs Inkjet Printer: Which to Buy? Let’s examine the differences between the two printers.

Print Speed

Because Thermal Printers are generally much faster than inkjet printers, they are often used for tasks that do not require repetitive printing. These include labels, receipts, etc. Depending on the model, thermal printers can print as many as 1000 receipts in one hour, which is a perfect solution for stores and logistics companies.

On the other hand, Inkjet Printers are slower, especially when printing glossy color documents at higher resolutions or large-volume printouts. They are normally good for single-page printing but slow on high-volume and repetitive work.

Printing Method

Thermal and inkjet printers differ primarily in terms of their printing methods.

Thermal Printers: These devices generate heat to alter the color of specially made thermal paper (for direct thermal printers) or to transfer ink from a ribbon to the paper (for thermal transfer printers). Thermal printers do not use ink cartridges. This can make them cheaper in the long run for businesses needing a lot of prints.

Inkjet Printer: An inkjet printer uses a sprayer to shoot tiny ink droplets through nozzles onto paper. Ink cartridge printers must be replaced after a certain amount of printing. Inkjet printers can produce both color and black-and-white text and images. They also print images and graphics at superior resolution.

Printing Consumables

Thermal Printers require minimal consumables. Thermal paper is all you need for direct thermal printers, while thermal transfer printers need ribbons. Although thermal transfer ribbons need replacement, they’re less expensive than continuous inkjet cartridges. 

However, inkjet printers require ink cartridges that need periodic replacement. Ink cartridges can be expensive, and if you do a lot of printing, the cost can make inkjet printers more expensive over time.

Durability and Reliability

The thermal printer is renowned for its durability. Its greater reliability can be attributed to having far fewer moving parts than other printers and no ink to change. Its mechanical strength also makes it less susceptible to failure. Businesses that need high-volume, low-maintenance printing find these printers optimal.

Inkjet printers are not as durable as laser printers. They may need more maintenance than laser printers, including cleaning the printhead, replacing the ink cartridges, and troubleshooting ink clogs.

Printer Size and Weight

Thermal Printers are generally compact and lightweight. Their space-efficient design makes them easy to fit into your space. They are also relatively easy to use, requiring minimal setup and maintenance.

Inkjet Printers may be bulkier, especially the higher-end models with large-format printing, scanning, copying, and other functions. They can take up a lot of space, which concerns small businesses.

Printer Maintenance

Thermal Printers are straightforward to maintain. There are no replacement ink cartridges and fewer components to clean. It is important that the printer’s thermal print head is clean and functioning correctly. With regular use and slight maintenance, thermal printers can last for years.

Inkjet Printers, however, require more maintenance. When the printer isn’t used regularly, the printheads can get clogged. Replacing ink cartridges and cleaning the printhead can be time-consuming and costly. Over time, inkjet printers may need more frequent repairs.

Image Quality of Prints

Inkjet Printers excel in print quality. They create crisp, clear visuals that are great for businesses that require impeccable images, designs, and displays. An ink printer (inkjet printer) is a printing device that uses wet ink and other materials to various degrees.

On the other hand, Thermal Printers are resourceful in printing fast and large amounts, where image quality does not matter. They generate clear text and barcodes. The downside is that they do not provide good printing results for high-resolution images, whether in color or black and white. They are best for labels, receipts, and barcodes.

Total Cost of Ownership

Considering their total cost of ownership, thermal printers are undoubtedly less expensive than other types of printers. Although they have more expensive upfront costs, they use fewer consumables (no ink cartridges) and require less maintenance, making them cost-effective. Thermal printers are economical since they have a lower cost per print, making them ideal for bulk printing.

Printers that use ink tend to have a much higher overall cost than those that use a laser. These printers usually require regular maintenance and ink cartridges, which are quite expensive. However, they are a good option for businesses needing high-quality color prints or images.

Total Initial Cost

The cost of a thermal transfer printer is high, especially for a thermal transfer printer. Yet, over the years, the savings on maintenance and consumables can justify the costs for any high-volume business.

Considering their low initial costs, inkjet printers are a good choice for small businesses. However, as discussed, the recurring cost of the ink can be quite costly.

Total Ongoing Operational Costs

Thermal Printers have lower ongoing operational costs. For Direct Thermal Printers, the cost after the first purchase is mainly the cost of thermal paper only. Similarly, the main cost is ribbons only after the first purchase for Thermal Transfer Printers. You don’t need to swap ink cartridges and maintain it very little.

Inkjet printers will cost more in the long run, as you will require ink. If you print in large quantities, the cost of the ink can affect your business, especially if the printing is mostly color.

How Do Inkjet Printers Work?

Inkjet printers spray fine drops of liquid ink onto the paper from tiny nozzles. The ink is combined with water and dried quickly on the paper. The inkjet printer works with thermal or piezoelectric technology to control the ink flow through the nozzles.

These printers can benefit business owners who require high-quality prints with accurate colors. They are used to print marketing materials, photographs, and documents that require high-resolution images.

How Do Thermal Printers Work?

Thermal printers print by applying heat to special paper or ribbon to create images or text, depending on whether they have direct thermal or thermal transfer. The image is formed on the paper due to the reaction of the heat on the paper or ribbon. The thermal printer does not require ink cartridges, so no ink is needed. That makes thermal printers very cheap and easy to maintain.

Thermal printers are mainly used for bulk printing labels, receipts, and barcodes. Due to their speed, reliability, and durability, they are the perfect choice for businesses.

What Is the Best Place to Buy Inkjet Printers?

TCS Digital Solutions is your best bet for high-quality inkjet printers at rates that won’t hurt your wallet. No matter your business’s industry, we have an assortment of inkjet printers that can meet your needs. Inkjet printers give high-quality prints for marketing materials, pictures, and documents, and offer expert performance. We have a wide selection of printers, so you can find one perfect for your business.

The Bottom Line.

So, how do you choose which one is better for the business? Is it a thermal printer or an inkjet printer? The key is to determine what is best for your business needs. Thermal printers are your choice if you want a fast, low-maintenance printer with minimal costs. Businesses that print labels, receipts, barcodes, or other high-volume, low-cost items will find them ideal.

Using inkjet printers is ideal for companies producing high-quality color prints, detailed images, or graphics. These files are best for marketing, photography, and graphic design because they offer better image quality and flexibility.

Have more questions related to thermal vs inkjet printer? Know which one suits your business? Contact our support team via email at orders@tcsdigitalsolutions.com or (678) 824-2304 or +1 (762) 208-6985 to get clarification for all your questions. Our team at TCS Digital Solutions’ expert support will gladly help you. To learn more about the inkjet printers, you can check our blog section, which has all the answers.

Drew Strickland

Drew is the Chief Marketing Officer and E-commerce Director at TCS Digital Solutions, with over 20 years of experience in the printing industry. His extensive background in marketing within this sector has deepened his passion and knowledge. He offers valuable tips and reviews on the latest printing products and innovations, dedicated to helping businesses and individuals find the most efficient and high-quality solutions for their printing needs. For a closer look into his insights and experiences, you can connect with Drew on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.