Abstract: A thermal printer system and method for transferring ink from foil onto a plurality of parallel elongated substrates simultaneously, particularly non-flat at least temporarily deformable substrates including heat shrink tubing, by drawing the substrates past the print head and adjacent the foil with a feed roller located downstream the print head, at least temporarily deformably flattening portions of the plurality of substrates by engaging the substrates with a pressure roller located upstream the print head, and transferring ink onto at least temporarily flattened portions of the substrates positioned adjacent the print head to increase productivity. The substrates are stationarily positioned adjacent the print head, which movably sweeps substantially parallel thereto to transfer ink from the foil onto the substrates. The substrates are drawn past the print head at relatively high rates when not printing, and are severable downstream the feed roller, to further increase productivity.