Wellden

Office Paper Products

Thermal Paper/ Thermal Label

Thermal paper is a special fine paper that is impregnated with a chemical that changes color when exposed to heat. It is used in direct thermal printers and particularly in cheap, lightweight devices such as cash registers, POS, ATM and credit card terminals. The coating will turn black when heated. But coatings that turn blue or red are sometimes used.

*The pigmented pre-coats that are applied to the base paper are a feature of thermal papers, They are vital if the thermal coat on top is to work perfectly. The thermal coat contains the chemical components that generate the image through point heat transfer by the thermal printer. Further protective coatings on the front and back give the thermal coat additional protection against chemical influences and optimize the properties of the product with regard to a wide variety of specific requirements such as printability, lamination, etc.

Most direct thermal papers require a protective coating to:

  • reduce fading of the thermal image caused by exposure to UV light, water, oils, grease, lard, fats, plasticizers, and similar causes.
  • provide improved printhead wear.
  • reduce or eliminate residue from the thermal coating on the thermal printheads.
  • provide better anchorage of flexo or offset printing inks applied to the thermal paper.
  • focus the heat from the thermal printhead on the active coating.

Advantages:

  • Cost saving (economy) : non moving print head (less wear and tear), no drum, no dot matrix ribbon, no toner, no ink, only need to change print head once in a few years
  • Easy to use
  • Quiet and fast (compare with dot matrix, double the print out speed)
  • Energy saving (less moving parts compare with dot matrix)
  • Low maintenance (only need to change paper)
  • Compact printer (idea for portable hand-held terminal)

Disadvantages:

  • Image get faded after a period of time
  • The need for making photocopies on important receipts or documents which will incur additional costs (apply to commodity grade only)

Image durability

For every grade of thermal papers, it grant a certain life span for the thermal image. The lifespan of the thermal image is based upon a set of optimum storage conditions and a fully developed thermal image. Under these conditions a thermal image will last anywhere between 1 year up to 25 years depending on the grade. The reality of day-to-day use is that thermal paper is not stored in perfect conditions. The paper is often subjected to conditions that can be destructive to the thermal image and/or image contrast. It is therefore important that a suitably stable grade be selected for the end application.

Storage conditions

As with office paper, thermal paper should be stored indoor, at temperatures between 18°C and 24°C and with a relative humidity of 40% to 60%. Storage of un-imaged thermal paper under these conditions will assure satisfactory performance for at least 3 years from the date of manufacture. Longer term storage at temperatures over 40°C or over 65 relative humidity can lead to a reduction in image contrast or performance of the thermal function.

Handling conditions

Direct sunlight, fluorescent and similar UV light sources should be avoided. As the contrast of the printed image can be reduced or destroyed depending on the duration of contact, thermal paper should not come into contact with,

  • Carbon and carbonless forms
  • Wet-type diazo copy paper
  • Chart papers or adhesives containing Tributyl-phosphate, Dibutyl-phosphate or other organic solvents
  • Envelopes or folders composed of plastics containing plasticizers
  • Solvents or solvent-containing products, which include Alcohol, Ketones, Esters, Ethers or derivates from this chemical group
  • Petroleum solvents like Gasoline, Toluene or Benzene
  • Greasy substances like Lanolin (eg. Hand-lotion), Lard, Butter, Oil or Vegetable Oil

Application for Cash register rolls, Fax rolls, Banking Receipts, Utility Bills, Medical Papers, Transportation Tickets, Entertainment Tickets, Gaming Tickets, etc

Image color

mainly black but sometimes blue or red (other colors possible upon special request and MOQ)

Paper weight ranging from 48gsm up to 240gsm:

  • POS/ Fax grade (48gsm – 80gsm)
  • Thermal Label (70gsm – 80gsm)
  • Thermal Ticket (80gsm – 240gsm)