A method of direct thermal printing comprises the steps of: passing an imaging element (3) adjacent a print head (16), by means of a variable speed drive motor (18); feeding heating energy to the print head in accordance with image data to form an image in the imaging element; controlling the heating energy and the speed of the drive motor in accordance with at least one printing prerequisite; and automatically switching the printer between at least two operating modes. In order to change operating modes no adjustments need to be made to the printer by the operator. <IMAGE>
