Printing Process: Direct thermal printing relies on heat-sensitive paper or label material. The printer applies heat to the paper, causing the thermal coating to darken and create the desired image or text. Media: Direct thermal labels are typically coated with a special heat-sensitive layer. This eliminates the need for ink, toner, or ribbons. Applications: Direct thermal printing is often used for short-term labeling applications such as shipping labels, receipts, and barcode labels. However, the images produced can be sensitive to heat and light, making them susceptible to fading over time.