Final answer:
The two types of thermal printers are direct thermal printers, which use heat-sensitive paper, and thermal transfer printers, which use a heated ribbon to print on various materials.
Step-by-step explanation:
There are two types of thermal printers: direct thermal printers and thermal transfer printers. Direct thermal printers use heat-sensitive paper that darkens when it passes under the thermal print head. In contrast, thermal transfer printers use a heated ribbon to produce durable, long-lasting images on a variety of materials. Though similar in their use of heat in the printing process, these two types have different applications and media requirements. The direct thermal printer is commonly found in applications like receipt printing, whereas thermal transfer printers are often used for printing barcodes and labels that endure longer periods or exposure to extreme conditions.