![cover image](https://wikiwandv2-19431.kxcdn.com/_next/image?url=https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/42/Chodowiecki_Basedow_Tafel_21_c_Z.jpg/640px-Chodowiecki_Basedow_Tafel_21_c_Z.jpg&w=640&q=50)
Thermal printing
Method of digital printing / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dear Wikiwand AI, let's keep it short by simply answering these key questions:
Can you list the top facts and stats about Thermal printing?
Summarize this article for a 10 year old
SHOW ALL QUESTIONS
For the process which uses sparks and aluminised paper, see spark printing.
Thermal printing (or direct thermal printing) is a digital printing process which produces a printed image by passing paper with a thermochromic coating, commonly known as thermal paper, over a print head consisting of tiny electrically heated elements. The coating turns black in the areas where it is heated, producing an image.[2]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e9/Sharp_CE-126P.jpg/640px-Sharp_CE-126P.jpg)
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/54/Twitter_receipt_printer.jpg/640px-Twitter_receipt_printer.jpg)
Most thermal printers are monochrome (black and white) although some two-color designs exist.
Thermal-transfer printing is a different method, using plain paper with a heat-sensitive ribbon instead of heat-sensitive paper, but using similar print heads.