Making a perfect choice between Thermal Label Printer Vs Laser Printer requires some considerations. If you dig it deeper. You can find differences in the case of their print volume, resolution, speed, etc.
Are you aware of these features?
This article is all about the comparison between these printers. From our practical experience, we can let you know the ins and outs of Thermal Label Printer Vs Laser Printer.
Let’s make a move.
Thermal Printer Vs Laser Printer- A Comparative Analysis
You can see extensive use of thermal and laser printers in label printing. So, how can you differ?
You need to pay close attention to the features and hands-on experience of the users. Then, it will be easier for you to make a proper selection for your printing projects.
Thermal Label Printer
If you intend to get reliable service in label printing, thermal label printers are a perfect choice. These machines have a durable design opt for particularly label printing. You can easily print thousands of labels within a short time.
A thermal printer 46 is functional at a medium temperature range. That’s why there is no hassle due to adhesive bleeding.
Besides, these printers ensure impressive durability against the contamination of solvent and smudge. A well-designed thermal label printer where ribbons and print media combine properly can deliver scratch-free images.
You don’t need to deal with over lamination in this case. Doesn’t it sound amazing?
Moreover, you can conveniently print barcode labels and shipping labels through a thermal label printer.
Special Features
- Enabled with wireless printing technologies (USB, BlueTooth).
- Compatible sheet size is 4”6”.
- Easy setup on Windows, Android, Mac.
- High print resolution (>300 DPI)
- Compatible devices are PC, laptops, iPhones, etc.
- Worthwhile for colour and monochrome print output.
Now, look at the pros and cons of thermal label printers at a glance.
Pros
- Cost-effective printing
- No adhesive bleeding
- Effective for high-volume printing
- Compact design
- High ppm. (Print Per Minute)
- Portable
- Sharp print resolution
- Minimum lamination
Cons
- Colour printing is expensive
- Lack of cleanness in HD printing in some cases
You can check Amazon for more information and price.
Laser Printer
Due to high expense and comparatively lower print quality, laser printers are not the first choice for label printing. If you have a budget constraint for a small project, you can consider a laser printer.
Besides, laser printers enable you to experience HD printing and clear writing in printed images and texts. They offer compact design and in-built cartridges. These printers are compatible with WiFi and USB.
But these features are not sufficient to be competent to thermal printers in the modern printing world, which is continuously upgrading.
Laser label printers suffer from adhesive bleeding at high temperatures that create a great mess. So, regular users don’t prefer laser technology for label printing with adhesion.
Special Features
- Supportive of scanning to Email
- Auto On/Off facility
- Compatible with cloud printing
- LCD control panel
- Available print size 4”6”-8.5”11”, Letter
Pros
- Wireless printer
- Support cloud printing
- Comparatively economical for low-volume label printing
- Compatible with HD printing
Cons
- Substandard print quality
- Problem with adhesive-backed papers
- Low durability against smudge, moisture, temperature.
For more information, check Amazon.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Now, take a look at head-to-head comparison between the specifications of these printers.
| Comparison Factor | Thermal Label Printer | Laser Printer |
| Usability | Office, small business, industry for barcode, ID labelling | Office, business |
| Operating System | Windows, macOS, | Windows |
| Print Volume | High | Low |
| Print Resolution | Around 300 DPI | Around 240 DPI |
| Print Speed | High | Medium |
| Compatible Device | PC, Laptop, iPhone | PC |
| Adhesive Bleeding | No | Yes |
| Cost Performance | Economical | Costly |
| Durability | High | Moderate |
| Mobile Printing | OK | Ok |
| Wireless Connectivity | USB, BlueTooth, WiFi | WiFi, USB |
Which Things Do You Need To Consider?
You need to focus on several factors while choosing between Thermal Label Printer Vs Laser Printer. Such as
Price Of The Printer
This is a major issue for regular printer users. Both printers have different types. If you check on Amazon, you will find a wide variety of printer costs. But laser printers are more economical than thermal label printers.
As it is a one-time cost, you can buy a thermal printer by paying a high cost. But you can consider buying a laser printer if you have a low budget.
Printing Cost
In this case, thermal label printers provide better performance than laser printers. The printing cost of a laser printer is extremely high than that of a thermal printer.
If you deal with small-scale printing, you can manage the cost of laser printers. But the overall expense for printing bulk documents is high.
Again, you need to replace the print media frequently for multiple laminations. It also increases the printing cost to a large extent.
Print Speed
In practical cases, users prefer thermal label printers for their outstanding print speed. These printers can deliver a shipping label per sec (150 mm/s).
On the contrary, laser printers are not reputable for their print speed. You can print around 19 pages per minute through these printers. Unlike thermal printers, these machines require a warm-up period that extends the printing period.
Print Volume
You need to consider the volume of documents you want to print. Thermal printer allows you to print high-volume labels at a time. Besides, it ensures continuity during long-term printing.
But laser printers don’t permit break-free printing. You need to discard previous labels to print the next lots of labels. It causes additional labour cost and wastage of materials.
So, you should choose a thermal label printer for large-scale label printing.
Shelf Life
Who doesn’t look for a label printer that lasts for a long period?
Thermal printers remain operative for label printing for a significant time span. Usually, the shelf life of a printer depends on some factors, like quality control, workload, etc.
Laser label printers require high-level maintenance. You have to change the printer toner frequently. That’s why their maintenance cost is high.
But you can get a highly functional thermal label printer by regular cleaning and proper handling. That means thermal printers are the winner in this case also.
Durability
Do you intend to use a printer in all probable conditions?
Then, thermal printers will be perfect due to their high durability. They offer commendable tolerance against high temperatures, moistures, smudge, etc. Their materials are robust enough to handle extreme vibrations or mechanical pressures.
Laser printers can’t deliver such performance in most cases. That’s why consumers prefer thermal label printers for their printing projects.
Toner Or Ink
Thermal printers are free from the hassle of toner or ink cartridges. That’s why you can experience cost-effective label printing from these machines.
But laser printers add additional cost and annoyance due to having toner and ink. Toner includes material waste. Besides, it hampers the usability of laser printers.
As regular users, we can say that the removal of ink from the skin is a great concern. So, thermal printers can relieve you of this problem.
Blank Shipping Labels
Both printers offer 4”6” adhesive blank shipping labels. Laser printers can print 1000 shipping labels, with two labels for each sheet. It costs a lot.
Besides, thermal label printers can handle 250 shipping labels in 4 rolls. Its cost is comparatively lower than laser shipping labels.
FAQs
- Can You Use Thermal Paper In A Laser Printer?
Using thermal paper in a laser printer is not advisable. Laser printer fusers usually activate thermal papers in the end. That’s why there is an opportunity of having all pages black after printing.
- Is Thermal Printer Impact Or Nonimpact?
Thermal label printers don’t need to touch the paper to place ink. So, these are non-impact printers.
- Can You Use Regular Paper In A Thermal Printer?
You can use regular papers, along with thermal papers in thermal printers. But these printers are particularly designed for thermal papers. So, you should avoid using regular papers while printing in thermal label printers.
Final Words
It is not a brainstorming task to select one between Thermal Label Printer Vs Laser Printer. Thermal printers deliver high-class printing with outstanding functional properties. So, you can rely on thermal printers for label printing without any doubt.
Contact us to get more updated information about modern printers.
Happy printing.
