Thermal printing is a technology that uses heat to produce images or text on paper. It works by applying heat to a special type of paper, known as thermal paper, which changes color when heated. This method is commonly used in devices like receipt printers and label makers. There are two main types of thermal printing: direct thermal and thermal transfer. In direct thermal printing, the heat is applied directly to the paper, while in thermal transfer printing, a ribbon is heated to transfer ink onto the paper. Both methods are efficient and produce high-quality prints quickly.