Your portable thermal printer buying tips.

There are many types of portable thermal printers designed for varying uses. Portable thermal printers may be used for barcodes, graphics and logos, or receipts. Many allow the choice between several different fonts or character sizes.

When choosing a portable thermal printer, consider the software that comes with it. Make sure it has all of the abilities you need; if you need to print special graphics or logos, choose a portable thermal printer with an adequate software package. Some include the ability to use Asian fonts, so consider this if it is important to you. If you will be printing detailed graphics, compare the resolution (measured in DPI) of each portable thermal printer you’re considering.

If you will be using your portable thermal printer in a busy location, make sure that the printer can keep up with you. The print speed will be measured in either millimeters or eighths of an inch per second.   Also consider the battery life, if you will be using your portable thermal printer in a location without available power outlets. Many modern portable thermal printers include infrared interface capabilities for wireless printing or an integrated magnetic card reader for fast credit card processing, which can be handy features depending on your application.

Besides retail uses, portable thermal printers are also available for business travelers who view a printer as a necessity. Some can even print on full-size paper, although keep in mind that thermal printing does produce a different quality of result than more commonly used inkjet or laser printing. However, if it suits your needs, a portable laser printer can offer you fast printing on the go, and many new models can even be controlled wirelessly using Bluetooth technology.

Consider how portable you need the printer to be. Because of the moving parts, many portable thermal printers are still bulky. However, some newer handheld units are available, weighing around a pound or a little more.

When buying a portable thermal printer, consider the price of compatible paper. While you won’t have to ever buy ink refills for a thermal printer, special paper can get expensive. Try to find a portable thermal printer with a relatively common size of thermal printer paper so that paper refills will be readily available.

Early thermal printers used paper that was sensitive to friction, light, or water once printed. However, modern thermal printing paper is much more stable, making portable thermal printers a much more attractive choice in the world of printing.