Thermal Printing: Key To Success In Mobile Printing

By Peter DiCarlo, general manager of the Brother Mobile Solutions Printer Division

In today's mobile printer market, we find printers built on toner, inkjet, impact, and thermal print technologies. All of these technologies have been around for a long time, and every one of them has definite advantages and disadvantages. According to research data from VDC, Mobile Transaction Printers: Global Market Demand Analysis Third Edition March 2008, the vast majority of mobile printers are thermal, and more than 76% are direct thermal. The reason behind this level of mobility market penetration is the fact that thermal print technology has distinct advantages in the mobile work environment. These advantages include size, weight, functional orientation, and reliability. Interestingly, when we compare the various print technologies mentioned above, direct thermal printers have the least complex process, and, therefore, the least complex mechanisms. In fact, from a process perspective, we could say "keeping it simple" is what makes thermal successful.