This device pushes a heated printhead against chemically treated paper, causing the paper to turn black where the hot elements make contact. Because they require no ink, toner, or ribbons, they are extremely reliable and cheap to maintain. Engineers frequently integrate thermal printing modules into point-of-sale systems, medical equipment, and portable test gear.
The thermal printer on the payment terminal is just feeding blank paper, so the heating element might be dead.
Related terms
Payment terminal
A dedicated electronic device that reads payment cards to process electronic funds transfers.
Terminal
A terminal is the physical point where an electrical connection is made to a component, circuit, or system.
Readerboard
A large electronic display panel used to broadcast text messages or real-time data to a room.