Direct Thermal (Thermal Direct) printers are capable of printing only on thermally treated (heat sensitive) label stationery (such as the Zebra continuous roll label printers). If you wish to print on plain paper or plastic label stationery you will need a Thermal Transfer printer. Direct Thermal labels are susceptible to the background going dark grey if the paper is exposed to heat or strong direct sunlight and will be easily marked if the paper surface is rubbed with, say, a fingernail. Direct Thermal labels tend to be less susceptible to this effect than is thermal paper, because the label material is generally thicker than receipt paper.

Thermal Transfer printers print by transferring the print image from a resin or Wax-Resin coated plastic ribbon to plain label stationery. They are also capable of printing in Direct Thermal mode by omitting the ribbon and using thermal paper label stationery. Thermal Transfer printers are recommended if your labels need to be high quality or are required to last a very long time, or if you will be printing on plastic label materials such as polyethylene or polyester, especially for use outdoors in direct sunlight or in wet environments. Use a resin ribbon if you are printing on plastic labels. Use a wax-resin ribbon if you are printing on paper labels.

Desk-top Thermal Label Printers
If you will be consistently printing less than 400 labels a day ... a desk-top thermal label printer would be quite adequate.

Mid Range Thermal Label Printers
If you will be consistently printing more than 400 labels a day ... a mid-range thermal label printer would be quite adequate.

Industrial Thermal Label Printers
If you will be consistently printing more than 1000 labels a day, or if the printer will be installed in an industrial environment, you will need to select an Industrial thermal label printer (also known as a table-top printer).

Mobile Thermal Label Printers
If you need to print labels using a portable printer, then a Mobile Thermal Label printer is the right choice for you.