Portable thermal printers offer a versatile and cost-effective solution for businesses needing quick, reliable printing on the go. Unlike traditional printers, they require no ink or toner, using heat-sensitive paper to create clear, high-quality prints.
Whether you’re in logistics, retail, or field services, understanding the features and benefits of these printers will help you choose the best model for your needs.
Read on to find out how to choose the right portable thermal printer for your application.
Why choose a thermal printer?
Direct thermal printing is different from other printing methods as it doesn’t require ribbon, ink or toner. A printhead applies heat and pressure to heat-sensitive thermal paper, which then reacts and blackens to reveal the image or text that is being printed.
The main and clearest advantage of a thermal printer is that they don’t require ink. This means that there’s no toner or ink changes – there’s only one consumable (paper), so thermal printers are cheaper in the long run.
There’s a slight difference in feeding paper to a thermal printer – as paper is fed from the bottom of the machine. There is less possibility of breaking any components as minimal interaction is required, so the printer should remain in good condition for a long time.
Portable thermal printers are user-friendly and provide a simple printing solution. With Bluetooth® or serial connectivity, they are also easy to integrate with your existing hardware.
For more information on how thermal printing works, find out more in our guide to how direct thermal printing works.
Charging options
When choosing a thermal printer, ensure that the powering option is appropriate for your application. Options are:
- Mains power
- Rechargeable Battery
- In vehicle
It is important to consider powering options based on your specific application. For portable thermal printing, consider our rechargeable battery thermal printer.
We recommend fully charging your printer before its first use. This can be done with the charger cables provided and the rechargeable battery pack.
Supported paper for thermal printers
A thermal printer can work with thermal, linerless, and label paper.
Loading the paper is a simple process. Thermal paper is loaded by opening the paper compartment and placing your roll in, with the paper feeding from the bottom so the printable side is facing upwards as it feeds out of the printer.
Connection options
Our portable printers can be used on the go, either attached to your person or handheld. This is achieved wirelessly through Bluetooth® connectivity – allowing you to connect it to computers, phones and other devices simply by pairing them.
Our thermal printers can connect to your device wirelessly via Bluetooth® Classic, BLE, or via an RS232/USB cable.
Printing options
Once you have paired your portable thermal printer and your device is in range of the Bluetooth® connection, printing can be initiated.
With the integration of the printer with host equipment, it is able to custom print. Graphics, text and barcodes can be supported, and this also includes:
- Different fonts
- Different languages
- Custom fonts by request.
- QR codes by request
Maintenance
Ensuring that the printer is properly maintained is vital for lasting function, and to ensure it works as intended. Proper maintenance includes replacing the paper as needed, cleaning the printer regularly to ensure dust and any moisture don’t get inside the device, and generally keeping the printer in good condition. Some tips to ensure the upkeep of your thermal printers include:
- Avoiding placing the printer in direct sunlight
- Ensure the lid is closed from both ends
- Charge regularly even if unused to prevent the battery going flat.
Our printers are very durable as items such as inks and toners don’t need to be swapped. Once you’re set up, you’re good to go.
How to find the best portable thermal printer?
Multiple key factors need to be considered when selecting the best portable printer for your needs. Some key considerations to help you choose the right option for your business needs are outlined below.
What will the printers be used for?
This comes down to your own business use case. Whether you operate in a warehouse, an office, a store, or even on the road, this will determine which model is suitable for you and your organisation.
You will also need to consider if you will need label printers, or printers to be used in vehicles among many other use cases. This can all depend on your industry, be that automotive, electrical, logistics or any other sector.
What additional features will you need?
It’s important to factor in any features that you require. Some features we recommend considering are:
- What devices they are compatible with
- The printer’s durability
- The printer’s weight
- If it’s wearable
- The printer’s resolution
- Size of paper
- Type of paper
- Size of printer
- Paper capacity
Having an idea of what features you’ll need is important in the buying process as you’ll be able to eliminate options that don’t meet your needs. At Able, we offer bespoke solutions, and technical support, so if there are particular features that are required, then our team is on hand to support you and determine the most effective printing solution for your business requirements.
What’s your budget?
Having a set budget immediately helps to filter out options that are too expensive. Moreover, your set budget is something that can be discussed with suppliers as you come to an agreement when buying a large volume of printers. They can help you to calculate your budget and your required volume of units so that you get the best value for your money.
If you have any questions on how to find the right printers within your budget, contact us and a member of our team will guide you to the right solution.
What is the brand’s reputation?
Ensuring you purchase from a reputable brand can save you from unnecessary hassle down the line. Choosing a supplier with a good reputation and strong customer service means you can be assured that your printers will be high quality and your team will have access to any technical support they need. At Able, we offer a three year warranty for our printers, with extended warranties available to purchase.
How many will you need and where can you buy them from?
Determining exactly how many printers you’ll need is important when deciding on the right solution for your business. If you need a large number, you’ll find the most success purchasing from a supplier directly as they have access to more stock. Suppliers can also fulfil your order more efficiently as they will be completing the order directly, rather than waiting for wholesalers to dispatch orders.
Browse our portable thermal printers
As outlined in this guide, there are a lot of factors to consider when selecting a printer, and a number of key considerations that need to be taken into account. It is important to consider all the options to find the most suitable printer for your organisation. If you have any questions, or would like to place an order, visit our portable printers page to get started or see an overview of each range below:
AP1300 Series
Our most compact thermal portable printer, ideal for handheld and wearable applications and available with Serial or Bluetooth® connectivity options.
AP1310 Series
Our compact portable printer with extra paper/label roll capacity. Available with Bluetooth® or Serial connectivity and in a variety of power delivery configurations.
AP1600 Series
Our value priced thermal printer with Bluetooth® Low Energy technology and powered by AA Batteries for lightweight portable and mPOS solutions.