Abstract: A control circuit for improving the rate of heat input to a thermal print head of a thermal printing apparatus includes a switch which is operably linked to a power source and to the print head of the thermal printing apparatus to provide a control pulse sequence to the print head. The control pulse sequence includes a first pulse and a second pulse. A control circuit timer is provided for operating the switch at the end of the first pulse to provide a second pulse. The first pulse has a first electrical potential and is applied to the print head for a first duration to heat the print head to the desired temperature for activating the print mode. The second pulse has a second electrical potential lower than the electrical potential of the first pulse and is of a second duration for maintaining the printing temperature of the printing head.