Termotrükki

Termotrükki, also known as thermal printing, is a digital printing method that produces a printed image by selectively heating coated thermochromic paper. When the heated areas of the paper are exposed to high temperatures, they turn black. The paper is coated with a material that changes color when heated, and the printing process uses a thermal printhead with tiny electric resistors that can be turned on and off. These resistors are arranged in a line, and as the paper moves past the printhead, the resistors heat up specific points on the paper, creating the desired image or text.

There are two main types of thermal printing: direct thermal and thermal transfer. Direct thermal printing uses a heat-sensitive paper that darkens when heated, eliminating the need for ink, toner, or ribbons. This method is commonly used for receipts, labels, and tickets where longevity is not a primary concern, as the printed image can fade over time due to heat or UV light exposure. Thermal transfer printing, on the other hand, uses a heated ribbon to melt ink onto the material. This method is more durable and produces sharper, longer-lasting images, making it suitable for barcodes, asset tags, and durable labels. Termotrükki is widely used in point-of-sale systems, shipping, and various industrial applications due to its speed, simplicity, and relatively low operating cost.