---
title: What is the difference between direct thermal and thermal-transfer?
description: Direct thermal and thermal-transfer printing both use a heated print-head to print on blank labels. However, with direct thermal printers, the print-head must be in direct contact with the label mater
---

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# What is the difference between direct thermal and thermal-transfer?

Direct thermal and thermal-transfer printing both use a heated print-head to print on blank labels. However, with direct thermal printers, the print-head must be in direct contact with the label material, while thermal-transfer printers use an ink ribbon to print, made of wax or resin, and this is what comes into contact with the heated print-head.

As such, direct thermal applies heat directly to the label, which reacts with the label’s coating to generate a printout, whereas thermal-transfer printers apply heat to the ribbon, allowing the ink to then be transferred to the label.

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