Yes. Most thermal printers have only one ‘printing head’. If you need a colour imprint, you can remove the black ribbon and replace it with a colour ribbon. There are a few printers (known as ‘process colour’ printers) that can print multiple colours and a black bar code simultaneously, but they are more expensive than the traditional desktop unit.
If you’re printing barcodes on labels, use a black ribbon (or dark colour) to ensure that the barcode will be readable.
There is a limited variety of coloured ribbons readily available for most thermal printers; we also offer a colour matching service. We can help you choose the right ribbon for your label material and application – just ask us.