A thermal wax-transfer printer contains a row (or rows) of stationary metal pins. A ribbon of wax-like dry ink is between the printer head and the paper. As the paper is fed past the printer head, the pins are heated in a pattern according to the image defined by the computer. Since the printer head is in constant contact with the ribbon, the wax is melted and the pins transfer it to the paper where it dries. The pins cool down rapidly after each heating and are reheated according to the new character or image desired.
Thermal wax-transfer printers generally are more versatile than thermal paper-discoloration printers. Since it is the wax that is heated, and not the paper, special paper is not required. Thermal discolored images are susceptible to sunlight, heat, and some chemicals, but the transferred wax image is permanent.
