When it comes to choosing the right printer for your business, understanding the difference between thermal and impact printers can save you time, money and a lot of frustration. Both technologies are used across retail, hospitality, logistics and warehousing but they serve very different purposes. Here’s a simple breakdown to help you make the best choice for your setup.
Thermal Printers: Speed, Simplicity and Quiet Operation
Thermal printers use heat to print on specially coated paper, no ink or ribbons required.
There are two types:
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Direct Thermal: Uses heat-sensitive paper that darkens where heat is applied. Ideal for receipts, shipping labels and short-term prints.
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Thermal Transfer: Uses a ribbon to transfer ink onto paper, plastic or synthetic labels for long-lasting results.
Key Benefits:
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Fast and silent printing
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Low maintenance. No ink or toner
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Compact and efficient
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Great for point-of-sale systems, receipts and barcode labels
Keep in mind: Direct thermal paper can fade over time when exposed to heat or sunlight, so it’s not ideal for archival printing.
Impact Printers: Reliable and Rugged for Multi-Copy Printing
Impact printers (often called dot matrix printers) use a print head that physically strikes an ink ribbon to produce characters on paper, much like a typewriter. They’re less common in retail but still essential in industries needing duplicate or carbon copies.
Key Benefits:
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Can print through multi-part (duplicate or triplicate) paper
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Ideal for invoices, order slips and kitchen environments
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Durable in high-temperature or dusty areas
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Lower consumable cost per page
Downsides: They’re louder, slower and require ribbon replacements but unbeatable for certain use cases like kitchen dockets and data logging.
Which Printer Is Right for You?
If you need speed and minimal maintenance, go with a thermal printer.
If you need duplicate copies or print reliability in extreme environments, choose an impact printer.
At Circular Tech, we stock a full range of both, helping you match the right device to your environment, paper type and daily workload.
Choosing the right printer is more than a technical decision, it’s about workflow, reliability and cost efficiency. Whether you’re printing hundreds of receipts a day or multi-copy order forms, understanding these differences ensures you invest in the best fit for your business.
👉 Need help choosing? Chat with our team at Circular Tech, we’ll guide you to the right hardware for your setup.
0405 966 390 | sales@circulartech.com.au