Receipt paper is commonly supplied as POS rolls for retail, F&B, logistics, and banking. Two major types exist: Thermal paper (direct thermal—no ribbon) and Bond paper (plain offset paper printed by impact or thermal transfer with ribbon). Thermal paper dominates modern POS for its silent, fast printing and low maintenance.


Typical thermal receipt paper stack: base paper → thermal coating (leuco dye + developer) → optional topcoat/backcoat.

Thermal Paper: How It Works

  • Color-forming system: leuco dye + developer reacts under heat from the print head to create an image.
  • Topcoat: protects against oil, water, plasticizers, and abrasion; improves barcodes and longevity.
  • Backcoat: reduces static and head wear, improves transport.

Key Specifications & Performance

  • Basis weight (gsm): 48–65 gsm typical; heavier grades offer stiffer hand-feel and durability.
  • Sensitivity (K-value): higher sensitivity prints darker at lower energy—useful for fast printers and low-power devices.
  • Optical Density (OD): target OD ≥ 1.2 for crisp QR/barcodes; test with your printer at production speed.
  • Archivability: standard 3–7 years; top-coated long-life grades reach 10+ years under proper storage.
  • Surface smoothness & dust: low debris reduces head abrasion and dropout defects.

Health, Safety & Compliance

  • BPA/BPS-free: choose phenol-free formulations for safer handling and export compliance.
  • REACH/RoHS: ask suppliers for up-to-date SVHC statements and heavy-metal reports.
  • Food contact: for kiosks in F&B, request documentation for incidental contact and migration limits.

Roll Dimensions & Conversions

Common widths: 57 mm and 80 mm. Cores: 12.7 mm (1/2″), 17 mm, 25.4 mm (1″). Theoretical roll length L (meters) from outer diameter Do, core inner diameter Di, and paper thickness t (mm):

L ≈ π × (Do2 − Di2) / (4 × t × 1000)

POS roll length formula with outer diameter, core, thickness
Use the length formula to verify yield vs. diameter and thickness.

Printer Setup: Density, Speed & Head Life

  • Print density (energy): start from the media datasheet; over-density causes background gray and head wear.
  • Speed: faster speed requires higher sensitivity media; balance legibility vs. throughput.
  • Head maintenance: clean with isopropyl wipes every roll change; avoid touching the head with fingers.
  • Barcode quality: use top-coated grades for UPC/QR; verify with ISO/IEC print quality checks.

When to Use Bond or Thermal Transfer

  • High-heat or sunlight exposure: choose bond paper + ribbon or durable thermal transfer labels.
  • Long-term archival: select certified long-life thermal or switch to bond with pigment inks.
  • Oil/chemical splash: top-coated thermal or protective overlays are recommended.
High-contrast POS barcode and QR code printed on top-coated thermal paper
Top-coated thermal media improves contrast and scan rates for QR and barcodes.

Environmental Notes

  • Phenol-free grades reduce toxicant concerns; ask for third-party test reports.
  • Store paper at 18–25 °C, RH 45–60%, away from plasticizers and UV to extend image life.
  • Some municipalities restrict thermal paper in mixed recycling—check local guidance.

Ordering Checklist

  • Width × outer diameter × core size; specify basis weight and thickness.
  • Thermal grade: standard, top-coated, or long-life; confirm BPA/BPS-free.
  • Target OD and barcode pass rate on your exact printer model and speed.
  • Packing: number of rolls/carton, shrink-wrap, protective caps; label with batch/lot for traceability.

FAQ

How do I stop receipts from fading too quickly?

Choose a top-coated, phenol-free grade; lower print density to reduce background, and store away from heat, UV, oils, and plasticizers (PVC wallets).

Why do my barcodes fail scanning?

Insufficient optical density or over-density causing feathering. Switch to higher-sensitivity, top-coated media and verify printer darkness/speed settings.

57 mm or 80 mm—what should I buy?

57 mm fits handhelds and small POS; 80 mm offers more content per line and faster service. Check your printer’s required width and core size first.

Is BPA-free the same as safe?

No—“BPA-free” can still use BPS or other developers. Ask for phenol-free or developer-free technologies with test reports.