What’s a Thermal Printer? Do I Need One?

It doesn’t take up much room on a desk. And it doesn’t ever need to be refilled with ink. But it prints labels only. Is this the printer for you?

As a small ecommerce business owner, I need to create shipping labels all the time. When I looked into which would be the most efficient printer, the thermal 4- x 6-inch label printer was a clear winner. It requires no ink, no toner. Ever. And if you have a UPS account, you also get the labels for free. That makes the mini desktop printer your only one-time expense. 

At a recent BCP meeting I whipped out a sticker idea that kids can color and stick onto a chocolate bar or nosh to give to their friends or teacher on Purim (see this post). When the label popped out of my printer, the team insisted that this would make a great household product for everyone.

Although the main purpose of this little printer is to print shipping labels, I find myself using it all the time for other purposes as well, like these:

For one, RETURNS. Who doesn’t need to print out return labels from Zara and other stores that stopped providing labels? (Some own a printer just for return labels!)

Household Labels

I use these to print labels for organizing boxes (great when you are moving)  toy containers, and more.  

Address Labels

Do you ever need to do a mailing?

Projects for Kids

I print out coloring pages all the time onto these stickers; for some reason they love coloring on the shiny paper using gel pens more than they love coloring on regular paper.

See this post for a cute Purim Sticker activity for kids to color and give to bus drivers or teachers…or anyone they want to thank. 

Print Recipes

I use this to print all my favorite BCP recipes on!

Do you think a thermal printer is right for you? These are the top two recommended thermal printers:

 

Amazon

Rollo Label Printer

This one accepts the UPS free labels and most amazon labels. 

Amazon

DYMO LabelWriter

 

The DYMO 4xl is also highly recommended, but you need to use their labels or specific Amazon labels that work with the machine. 

Amazon

4×6 Labels

4×6 Size Standard Shipping Label Size. These labels are compatible with both the above printers.

Amazon

DYMO Address Labels

These work with the same DYMO printer and are great for househould use or for address labels.

Shaindy Menzer

Shaindy, a graphic and web designer, is the creative mind and designer behind multiple brands. It’s her artistic vision that results in the beautiful aesthetic and flawless design of this site.

6 responses to “What’s a Thermal Printer? Do I Need One?”

  1. Bella Avatar
    Bella

    I also have an ecommerce business and I’m very happy with my Rollo. the other things to use it for is very creative.

  2. Batsheva Avatar
    Batsheva

    How does it not need ink?

    1. Shaindy Menzer Avatar
      Shaindy Menzer

      It prints using a thermal process. The heat causes the imprint on the paper.

  3. Estee Avatar
    Estee

    How much are these printers please?

  4. CS Avatar
    CS

    looks cool however reviews on amazon dont:(

  5. JON Avatar
    JON

    The answer is NO xD

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