Thermal paper is a special fine paper that is coated with a chemical (previously often containing BPA) that changes color when exposed to heat. It is used in thermal paper printers and particularly in inexpensive or lightweight devices such as adding machines, cash registers, and credit card terminals.
The surface of the paper is coated with a solid-state mixture of a dye and a suitable matrix. When the matrix is heated above its melting point, the dye reacts with the acid, shifts to its colored form, and the changed form is then conserved in a metastable state when the matrix solidifies back quickly enough.
Usually, the coating will turn black when heated, but coatings that turn blue or red are sometimes used. While an open heat source, such as a flame, can discolor the paper, a fingernail swiped quickly across the paper will also generate enough heat from friction to produce a mark.
Texas Instruments invented the thermal print head in 1965, and the Silent 700, a computer terminal with a thermal printer, was released in the market in 1969. The Silent 700 was the first thermal print system that printed on thermal paper.
In the late 1980s and early 1990s, thermal transfer, laser printing, and, to a lesser extent, ink jet printing began to take away industrial and warehouse barcode applications due to better durability. Direct thermal made a strong comeback with point of sale receipts (credit card machines, pos systems. gasoline pumps, cash registers, rental car receipts, etc.).
Thermal Paper and More provides the total solution for receipt paper rolls and related consumable products. Comprehensive programs are available for all industry segments including Hospitality, Convenience, Retail, Credit Card, Self-service (Kiosk, ATM and Self-checkout), Banking, Library, Parking, Portable Mobile Printer and Auto Identification applications. We stock a full line of thermal, carbonless paper rolls, ink solutions (ribbons, TTR, inkjet cartridges, toner), labels and other POS supplies. We also offer custom printed paper rolls which include logos, return policies, security features and coupons.
Browse our product offerings to find the perfect POS solutions for your company and your customers.
Thermal Paper in Rolls, Available sizes
44 mm x 230' x 50 or 100 rolls/case
2 1/4" x 50', 60', 70', 85' x 50 rolls/case
2 1/4" x 150', 165', 200', 225' 230' x 50 rolls/case
2 5/16" x 338' CSI x 12 rolls/case
2 5/16" x 209' x 42 or 48 rolls/case
2 5/16" x 400' x 12 or 24 rolls/case
2 11/32" x 385' x 24 rolls/case
3" x 230' x 50 rolls/case
3 1/8" x 119' x 50 rolls/case
3 1/8" x 200' x 30 rolls/case
3 1/8" x 200' x 50 rolls/case
3 1/8" x 220' x 50 rolls/case
3 1/8" x 230' x 50 rolls/case
3 1/8" x 273' x 50 rolls/case
3 1/8" x 308' x 50 rolls/case
3 1/8" x 371' x 50 rolls/case
4 9/32" x 115' x 50 rolls/case
4 3/8" x 328' x 24 rolls/case
4 3/8" x 80' x 48 rolls/case
Colored Thermal Paper Rolls
50 rolls/case
50 rolls/case
50 rolls/case
50 rolls/case
50 rolls/case
50 rolls/case
50 rolls/case
Phenol-Free Thermal Paper Rolls
50 rolls/case
50 rolls/case
50 rolls/case