Direct thermal is a printing method that uses heat-sensitive paper to produce images or text. When the printer's thermal print head applies heat to the paper, it causes a chemical reaction that creates a dark image. This process is commonly used for labels, receipts, and barcodes. One of the main advantages of direct thermal printing is that it does not require ink or toner, making it a cost-effective option. However, the printed images can fade over time, especially when exposed to heat or sunlight, which limits their longevity compared to other printing methods like thermal transfer.