Thermal Paper Grades: Overview

Given the numerous applications of thermal paper, leading manufacturers of thermal paper introduce their own grading system based on the industry sector they serve and the specific uses for their products.

Thermal paper grades, therefore, are determined by the manufacturers. They use their own terminology, with terms such as high grade or super grade; however when it comes to differences between individual manufacturers, much will depend on who their suppliers are.

When talking about thermal paper grades, one usually goes by the Alpha grading system which means that the higher the number, the higher the grade (or in the case of thermal paper, the higher the resistance and stability).

For instance, an Alpha grading of 300 would refer to thermal paper that would be used for gas station receipts and other documents with a short life-span (meaning simply that people tend to throw these away almost as soon as they receive them, so a high-quality paper is not important). An Alpha grading of 900, on the other hand, would refer to paper that is used for medical prescriptions and which should have a longer storage life, (usually around seven to ten years).

Then there are thermal paper manufacturers who offer standard top coated thermal paper and high heat resistance thermal paper.

Criteria for thermal paper grades

In terms of thermal paper grades, one of several criteria is the base: standard paper base, thin paper base, film base and board paper base.

Another criteria is resistance. You have high heat resistance, high resistance to ultraviolet light, super high sensitivity, intense heat resistance, superb dot production, and a few others. Heat resistance ranges from 60 to 100 degrees Centigrade.

Thickness is another aspect to consider. Thickness ranges from 64 to 190 mm. The weight of the thermal paper is part of determining its grade. Weights can range from 55 to 170 grams.

What the thermal paper is being used for will also determine grade. For example, do you need to print parking tickets, grocery tickets, train and airline tickets or industrial use tags? Obviously, the industrial tags would require a higher grade thermal paper.

As for shelf life, the higher the grade, the longer the shelf life. And you can even extend the shelf life of the paper by storing it carefully – some manufacturers say that storing their higher grade thermal papers in a dark location with moderate humidity and at the recommended temperature will make them perform at a satisfactory level for at least three years from the date they were manufactured.

The grade of thermal paper will also determine the degree of durability or what the paper industry calls fade resistance. Obviously, the higher the grade, the higher the resistance. Those with superior resistance are usually manufactured with special dyes and co-reactant technologies for image production. Care must be taken however not to over-expose thermal paper for prolonged period to UV light as discoloration may occur.

It is recommended that no matter how high the thermal paper grade is, measures must be taken to protect them from contact with plastic wraps, adhesives, industrial glues, wet toner, and copies of certain types of carbon paper.

Specialized Manufacturers

If you visit the web sites of thermal paper manufacturers or resellers, their descriptions of thermal paper products vary. For example, one European thermal paper manufacturer claims that his standard paper types are guaranteed for at least a five-year legibility. The same manufacturer can also accommodate requests from buyers for special papers with shelf life of up to 99 years, but this type should be requested in advance. These 99-year thermal papers must be stored in the right conditions – usually 20 degrees Celsius room temperature, a 50% relative humidity and definitely no direct exposure to sunlight.

Some manufacturers specialize also in thermal paper used for POS systems: most of these produce two-ply paper rolls for a wide range of POS systems.

OEMs of thermal printers impose strict specifications for thermal paper. The kind of thermal paper to be manufactured will depend on the model or brand of the printer. Specifications may cover base, weight, caliper, smoothness or degree of glossiness, stiffness and resistance to tear and fade. The quality of the image also plays a key role in thermal paper grading as well as the cutting test.

Whatever the grade, suitability of the application must take precedence. If you run a grocery store for instance, you would not purchase 99-year thermal paper just to print check out receipts. If you run a drug store and need to print medical prescriptions which can be the subject of a court inquiry, you will want to have a superior grade type of thermal paper – the kind that would last at least 10 years. Not only should they hold up to time, but they must be able to preserve whatever image is printed on them

About the Author

Mike Cole is a freelance writer who specializes in writing about topics concerning the Food, Beverage and Hospitality industries, often discussing specific products such as thermal paper