Summer Sale! Use SMS220 to Save 22% Off $89+ Orders, Use SMS170 to Save 17% Off $19+ Orders 
Thermal Printer vs Inkjet Printer, Which Is Better?
If you frequently print shipping labels and family photos, you may be wondering if you can use the same printer for both. In this blog, we take a deep dive into the differences, pros and cons, and use cases for thermal printer vs inkjet printers. Maybe you’ll find the answer after reading our blog.
What Is a Thermal Printer?
Thermal printers use heat to print, rather than ink or toner. There are two main types:
- Direct Thermal Printers: Print directly onto heat-sensitive paper. When heated, the paper darkens to create text or images. This method does not require ink or ribbons, such as the Brother QL-820NWB, Zebra ZD410 and DYMO LabelWriter 450.
- Thermal Transfer Printers: Use thermal ribbons coated with wax or resin. The printer heats the ribbon to transfer the material to the printing surface, such as the TSC TE210, Zebra ZT230, and Zebra Gc420t.
Both thermal printers are fast and reliable, and are typically used to print receipts, labels, barcodes, and more. You’ll often see them in retail, warehouses, logistics, and other fields. They’re ideal for high-volume, black-and-white, text-based printing.
What Is an Inkjet Printer?
Inkjet printers spray tiny droplets of ink directly onto paper to form images and text. There are two technologies:
- Thermal Inkjet: Use heat to create ink bubbles and eject ink from the nozzle. This is usually called a thermal inkjet printer and is common in printers such as HP, Canon, and Lexmark. Popular printer models include the HP DeskJet 2722, Canon PIXMA MG3620, Canon PIXMA TR4720, Canon PIXMA TS6420a, HP ENVY Inspire 7955e, HP OfficeJet Pro 9125e, etc.
- Piezoelectric Inkjet: Use vibrating crystals to eject ink without heating. This is usually called a piezoelectric inkjet printer and is common in Epson printers. Popular models include the Epson EcoTank ET-2850, Epson WorkForce Pro WF-3820, Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4830, Epson EcoTank ET-4850, Epson Expression Premium XP-6100, etc.
Both Inkjet printers are known for their bright colors and affordable prices, making them ideal for printing documents and pictures. You can often see them in homes, schools, and offices.
Thermal vs Inkjet Printers: What’s the Difference?
So what exactly is the difference between thermal printers and inkjet printers? Let’s explore how they compare in terms of printing technology, overall features, cost, and uses.
1. Printing Technology
Thermal printers and inkjet printers use completely different mechanisms to produce text and images.
Thermal printers use heat to change ink on thermal paper (direct thermal) or transfer ink from a ribbon (thermal transfer). This heat-activated process creates the text or image on the media.
Inkjet printers use thermal or piezoelectric inkjet technology to eject tiny droplets of liquid ink onto paper to print text or images. Because these inkjet technologies can precisely control the drop size, this type of printer is well suited for high-resolution and full-color printing.
2. Ink/Consumables Used
In addition, the two types of printers use different printing consumables.
Thermal Printer:
- Direct Thermal Printer: only thermal paper is needed.
- Thermal Transfer Printer: ribbons (wax-based, resin-based, or wax-resin-based) are required.
Inkjet Printers: use liquid ink cartridges or refillable ink cartridges, such as HP 67XL, HP 902, Epson 522, etc.
It can be seen that no matter what type of thermal printer, the long-term consumables cost is lower than that of inkjet printers, especially in high-volume printing environments.
3. Print Quality
When it comes to visual detail and color, inkjet printers are the clear winners.
Inkjets can produce photo-quality images, complex graphics, and full-color prints at high resolutions (up to 4800 x 1200 dpi or higher). They are the top choice for artists, designers, photographers, and home users who print photos or creative materials.
However, thermal printers are more limited in this regard:
Direct thermal printers print only in black and white. While they can print sharp text and barcodes, they are not suitable for printing detailed graphics or photos. Also, thermal transfer printers can use color ribbons, but they are still primarily used for functional printing, such as logos, product labels, or warning signs, rather than for rich visual effects.
4. Speed
Generally speaking, thermal printers tend to print faster than inkjets.
Thermal printers can print several inches per second, often without pausing, making them ideal for continuous printing of labels or receipts. In addition, their prints do not need to dry and do not smudge at high speeds.
Inkjet printers are slower, by comparison. When working with full-page color graphics or photos, the speed may slow down significantly.
5. Durability of Prints
The lifespan of prints from both types of printers varies greatly.
Direct thermal prints are sensitive to heat, light, and friction. When exposed to sunlight or high temperatures, their prints can fade or darken over time. Therefore, direct thermal printers are not suitable for long-term archival or outdoor use.
Thermal transfer prints are more durable and waterproof, especially when printed with resin ribbons. Their prints can resist moisture, UV rays, chemicals, and abrasion, which is why they are often used for industrial labels, asset tags, and compliance labels.
The durability of inkjet prints varies, depending on what ink they use, which is usually dye ink and pigment ink.
Dye ink prints fade over time and are susceptible to water damage unless protective measures are taken. Pigment inks, especially on archival paper, can last for decades and are better able to resist fading and moisture.
6. Cost (Initial and Ongoing)
When choosing a printer, it is important to understand the total cost of ownership.
Thermal printers typically have a higher upfront cost, especially industrial-grade models. However, direct thermal printing requires no ink or ribbon, so the cost per print is extremely low. Even with thermal transfer printers, the cost of the ribbon is usually predictable and lower than the cost of ink for inkjets.
Inkjets are generally inexpensive, with some models costing less than $100. However, ink costs can add up quickly, especially if you print frequently. Manufacturers typically sell printers at a loss and make a profit by replacing the ink cartridges. Over time, the cost of ink can exceed the original price of the printer. Cartridge printers, such as the Epson EcoTank or Canon MegaTank, changed the market by offering refillable cartridges, high page yields, and lower ongoing costs—but with a higher initial investment.
7. Maintenance
Maintenance requirements vary by printer design and usage.
Thermal printers are low maintenance and have fewer moving parts. Printheads don’t clog, and problems are usually limited to roller wear or label jams. They are designed to run continuously with little user intervention.
Inkjet printers require more attention, and nozzles can clog and printhead failures can occur if the printer is not used regularly. Frequent users may not experience these problems, but occasional users should be aware of the maintenance needs of inkjet technology.
8. Use Cases
Each printer type shines in different applications.
Thermal Printers are best for:
- Shipping and logistics (e.g., FedEx, Amazon labels)
- Retail receipts
- Barcode and inventory labels
- Industrial labeling
- Patient wristbands in healthcare
Inkjet Printers are better suited for:
- Photo printing
- Color document printing
- School assignments
- Home and small office use
- Marketing materials and flyers
Quick Comparison
Based on the above, we came up with this quick comparison table.
| Feature | Thermal Printer | Inkjet Printer |
| Technology | Heat-based (direct or ribbon transfer) | Ink droplets via thermal or piezoelectric nozzles |
| Consumables | Thermal paper or ribbon | Ink cartridges or refillable tanks |
| Color Capability | Limited (mostly monochrome; some transfer models can use color ribbons) | Full-color printing with high resolution |
| Print Quality | Excellent for text/barcodes; poor for images | Excellent for photos, graphics, and detailed text |
| Speed | Very fast, especially for labels/receipts | Slower, especially with high-res or color |
| Durability of Prints | Low (direct), High (transfer) | Medium (dye ink), High (pigment ink with proper paper) |
| Initial Cost | Mid to high | Low to mid |
| Running Cost | Low (direct), moderate (transfer) | High (unless using ink tank system) |
| Maintenance | Minimal | Moderate to high |
| Best For | Retail, logistics, industrial, labels | Home, photos, school, color documents |
Thermal vs Inkjet Printer: Pros and Cons
Understanding the pros and cons of each type can help you ultimately make a decision.
| Pros | Cons | |
| Thermal Printer | Fast printing speedLow maintenanceNo ink required (for direct thermal)Durable hardware | Limited to black-and-white (mostly)Requires special paperFading issues (direct thermal) |
| Inkjet Printer | Affordable initial costHigh-quality color outputVersatile (can print on various media) | Ink can be expensiveSlower than thermal printersRequires regular maintenance |
Thermal Printer vs Inkjet Printer: Which Is Better?
Choosing between thermal and inkjet printers ultimately comes down to what you need to print, how often, and your expectations for quality and durability. Let’s break down which one comes out on top in each category and help you decide based on real-world use cases.
Thermal printers excel in the following areas:
- High-speed environments: Retail, logistics, and warehouse environments where efficiency is critical.
- Labeling tasks: Great for printing barcodes, product labels, QR codes, and wristbands.
- Low-maintenance scenarios: No need to worry about running out of ink or clogged nozzles, and virtually no maintenance is required.
- Businesses that need long-term cost savings: Especially with thermal printers, ongoing costs are limited to paper.
Thermal printers aren’t designed for printing photos or color image documents, but they excel in situations where crisp, fast, and long-lasting monochrome output is needed.
Inkjets are a better choice for the following uses:
- Home use: Whether you’re printing homework, recipes, or personal documents, inkjets can handle a variety of tasks with ease.
- Photography and design: They can print in millions of colors and at high resolutions, making them great for photo printing.
- Occasional or low-volume printing: Affordable models are available at affordable prices and provide good prints for the average user.
- Custom printing: Inkjets can print on many types of media (such as glossy photo paper, labels, or thermal transfer paper), making them a flexible tool for creatives.
Inkjets do require more regular maintenance, and frequent printing can add up to costs due to high ink consumption. However, newer cartridge models offer a long-term, cost-saving solution for color printing needs.
thermal printers are industrial-grade workhorses, while inkjets are versatile artists. If your printing life emphasizes practicality and speed, thermal printers are the way to go. If you’re after color and creativity, inkjets are the way to go.
Thermal vs Inkjet Printer: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do thermal printers use ink cartridges?
No, direct thermal printers do not use ink cartridges, they print on thermal paper. Thermal transfer printers use ribbons, not ink cartridges.
2. Which is better, a thermal or laser printer?
Laser printers offer high-speed, high-volume text printing and are ideal for offices. However, thermal printers are better suited for printing labels, barcodes, and point of sale. If you need clear text documents, choose a laser printer. If you need labels and receipts, choose a thermal printer.
3. Thermal inkjet printer vs inkjet printer, what’s the difference?
“Thermal inkjet printer” refers to a type of inkjet technology that uses heat to eject ink from a nozzle. This method is used by mainstream brands such as HP, Canon and Lexmark. It is different from piezoelectric inkjets, which use vibrations (such as Epson) to eject ink.
Therefore, all thermal inkjets are inkjets, but not all inkjets are thermal printers. Thermal inkjets are just a subcategory of inkjets – not to be confused with thermal printers, which do not use ink at all.
4. Thermal vs Inkjet vs Laser: Which One Is Better?
They are compared as follows:
| Printer Type | Best For | Pros | Cons |
| Thermal | Labels, barcodes, receipts | Fast, low-maintenance, no ink | Limited to monochrome (mostly), not for documents/photos |
| Inkjet | Home, color printing, photos | Full-color, high-resolution, affordable upfront | Ink can be costly, needs frequent use and maintenance |
| Laser | Office documents, bulk printing | Fast, durable text prints, low cost per page | Higher initial cost, not ideal for photo-quality color |
Each printer has its niche. If you print labels or work in logistics/retail, choose a thermal printer. If you want color versatility at home or in creative work, choose an inkjet printer. If you’re looking for speed, efficiency, and long-term savings when processing black-and-white or color documents in the office, choose a laser printer.
Still unsure? Consider your print volume, desired print quality, and long-term costs. These three factors usually determine which printer is best for you. See more in the blog Thermal Printer vs Laser Printer: Which One Is Right for You.
Final Thoughts
Thermal printers and inkjet printers serve very different purposes. The former focuses on speed, durability, and low operating costs, while the latter focuses on vivid colors and versatility. Choosing a thermal printer is as much about practicality as it is about technology. Considering your specific printing needs, frequency of use, and budget will help you better choose the right printer for your workplace or home.
Keep Exploring: More Blogs to Dive Into
