Thermal printers are devices that produce printed images by applying heat to special thermal paper. They work by using a heated print head that activates the heat-sensitive coating on the paper, creating text and images. These printers are commonly used for printing receipts, labels, and barcodes due to their speed and efficiency. There are two main types of thermal printers: direct thermal and thermal transfer. Direct thermal printers use heat to create images directly on the paper, while thermal transfer printers use a ribbon to transfer ink onto the paper. Both types are popular in various industries, including retail and logistics.