Thermal paper is a special fine paper coated with chemicals which will change color when exposed to heat. Even though most printers now use thermal paper to improve business efficiency, it’s important to identify thermal paper from other types of cash register paper.
It’s easy to recognize thermal paper.
Just Scratch the paper quickly with your fingernail. If it leaves black mark, the paper roll is thermal type. If it’s not, don’t make judgement so quickly. Try other side of the paper. Because for some specific thermal printers, thermal paper surface is rolled inside.
After this step, you know whether the paper is thermal paper or not.
If it’s not thermal paper, then it’s bond paper or carbonless paper. Bond paper and carbonless paper is used for dot-matrix printers. It will show image under pressure. Bond paper is 1 ply paper while carbonless paper has 2-3 plys and in different colors like pink/yellow/green.
To simplify, here is the difference for them:
- Thermal paper: leave mark after scratching.
- Bond/woodfree Paper: 1 ply, no mark
- Carbonless Paper: 2-3 ply, no mark
Now go to recognize thermal paper!
![Why to Choose Coreless Thermal Paper Rolls [infographic]](https://www.hikingpaper.com/wp-content/uploads/coreless-banner-500x383.png)
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We restocking our office inventory next month, so I’ve been told to get new bond paper rolls for our printer this weekend. It’s good that you brought up that bond paper is used for dot-matrix printers, so they have 1 ply with no mark if you want to differentiate them from thermal or carbonless paper. I’ll be sure to take note of this while I go shopping for bond paper rolls this weekend.
you are very smart