A woman in a suit looking distressedly at a printer. There's a cluttered desk behind her.

Thermal printers are an essential tool for many businesses. They allow you to print barcode labels, receipts and more, all in the comfort of your own building. It’s natural to want to get as much use as possible out of your printer before you move on to the next one; however, it’s important to know when to cut your losses. Here are five signs that you need to replace your thermal printer:

1) When It Becomes a Security Hazard

When you think of security hazards in your business network, your first thought is probably computers. However, printers can also pose a security risk. A skilled hacker can access sensitive information through your printer and even install ransomware on your business network, effectively taking your business hostage.

Keeping your printer fully updated can help protect against hacking. However, the older a device the gets, the fewer updates are made available for it. Not being able to update your printer creates a weak spot in your digital defenses. If your printer has aged to the point it can no longer keep up with anti-hacking protocols, then it’s time to replace it.

2) When an Easier Option Appears

There’s a learning curve for any position, but old technology can make the curve much steeper than it needs to be. As technology progresses, new printing interfaces may render the old ones obsolete and difficult to learn. If your printer is so outdated that new hires are unable to adjust to it, then it may be time for an upgrade.

3) When Maintenance Costs Become Too High

The older something gets, the more maintenance it requires to stay functional. While it usually isn’t cost effective to replace a printer at the first technical issue, there will come a point where you’ve spent more money maintaining it than you would have purchasing a new one. Keep track of how much money goes into repairing your old printer and replace it before you reach that stage.

4) When You Can No Longer Get Replacement Parts

As technology advances, many older models are left by the wayside. Manufacturers stop producing replacement parts for older devices, in favor of focusing on new ones. At this point, if your printer breaks and needs a replacement part, you’ll be paying extra due to the scarcity - assuming you’re able to find it at all.

As mentioned earlier, there comes a point where repairing an old printer costs more than getting a new one. But if you can’t find the replacement parts, then even the option of paying more is denied. At this stage, you’re long overdue for a new printer.

5) When You Can Trade In

There are times when the only thing keeping you from upgrading your printer is not being sure how to dispose of your old one. In these cases, it can be beneficial to look into trade-in programs. Not only are they a convenient way to dispose of your printer, they’re more cost efficient than keeping it until it’s no longer usable.

A printer printing out a receipt. The visible items on the receipt are butter; butter, semi-soft; and bagels, cheese and onion

Thermal Printers at Barcode Factory

A thermal printer is an important tool to many businesses. While it’s natural to want to get as much use out of your printer as possible, replacing it in a timely manner is safer and more cost-efficient in the long run.

If you’re looking to replace your thermal printer, look no further than Barcode Factory. We offer a wide variety of printers, including direct thermal, thermal transfer and inkjet, all available in various dpi and print speeds. Browse our selection of printers here or contact us today and have one of our certified experts guide you through your purchase.

When Should You Replace Your Thermal Printer?