Multi-media thermal printer

In a thermal printer including a platen and a media guide path for transporting a print media to a print region of the printer, an improvement comprising:

• a coating, having a film thickness ranging from approximately 2.5 to 3.5 mils, provided on selected portions of said guide path, said coating comprising an epoxy resin mixed with a powder to provide a textured surface;
• wherein said textured surface provides sufficient friction and non-stick characteristics to effectively transport alternatively said conventional print media type and said linerless print media type.

A thermal printer adapted for printing information onto multiple types of print media, including a conventional print media and a linerless print media, comprising:

• means for transporting said print media through a print region of said printer, said print region comprising a thermal print head and a rotatable platen disposed with said print media therebetween, said thermal print head further comprising a plurality of print head elements adapted to selectively activate portions of said print media as said print media is transported through said print region;
• and
• a coating disposed on selected portions of said transporting means, said coating comprising an epoxy resin mixed with a powder to provide a textured surface having sufficient friction and non-stick characteristics to effectively transport alternatively said conventional print media and said linerless print media.