A thermal printer is a printer which uses heated elements to print. There are several different types of thermal printer available. One form which people may be familiar with is the thermal printer often used at credit card terminals to print out receipts. These printers are relatively efficient and quiet, and they come in a number of sizes and styles for different printing needs. Stores and catalogs which stock printing supplies usually carry thermal printers, with several available options along with accessories such as thermal paper.
A direct thermal printer applies heat to heat-sensitive paper with the use of a print head made from numerous small pins. The pins are heated in a selective pattern which either activates heat-sensitive chemicals in the paper or actually burns the paper to create a design. With direct thermal printers, single color printing in black is the most common option, although sometimes a second color is also available.