A system for controlling the temperature of the printing elements of a thermal printhead. The printhead is provided with a plurality of spaced apart temperature sensor that measure the temperature at various locations on the printhead. A processor receiving outputs from the sensors determines the approximate temperature of each printing element based upon its proximity to at least one temperature sensor and the temperature sensor outputs. The processor then uses the approximate temperature of the printing elements to formulate either a strobe signal or a serial data stream that is applied to the respective printing element. Each printing element thus receives a quantity of energy that is a function of whether the printing element will contribute to the printing of an image during a scan line as well as the approximate temperature of the printing element.