A thermal printer, when operating under battery power, has an internal or battery ground. Static electricity is typically generated during normal operation of the printer. At least one static electricity discharge member is positioned in contact with a major surface of printing substrate at a location downstream from the location at which a thermal print head transfers ink from an ink transfer ribbon to the substrate. The at least one static electricity discharge member is electrically coupled to the internal ground so as to discharge static electricity build up that can otherwise damage electronic components of the printer.