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What is the Difference Between Thermal Paper and Inkjet Paper?
Receipt paper is likely something most business owners don't spend a lot of time thinking about. It is not surprising that many people are unsure of the difference between thermal paper and inkjet paper. Let's take a look at these two options and their respective benefits.
What is Thermal Paper?
Thermal paper is a special type of paper intended for printing with thermal printers. It is incredibly fine in nature, allowing it to be made into rolls. This paper is coated with dye that reacts with heat, allowing the printing process to occur solely due to heat transfer. When heated by a thermal printer, the dye reacts and changes the color of the receipt in precisely the areas exposed to heat.
By comparison, inkjet paper is standard paper used in a traditional printer. The paper itself has no particular properties — the printer directly applies ink to create the image.
What are the Benefits of Thermal Paper?
Thermal paper is best suited for quick printing, allowing you to print seemingly endlessly without wait time. It is frequently used for receipt paper, credit card terminals, and ATM machines.
Another major benefit is sustainability — the only waste generated is the paper itself, which can be recycled. By contrast, inkjet printers produce waste in the form of plastic ink cartridges. Thermal paper is also more cost-efficient: while thermal printers have a higher upfront cost, they last longer, require less maintenance, and have no cartridges to replace.
What are the Benefits of Inkjet Paper?
Inkjet printers can typically produce more complex images than thermal printers. For businesses that need highly accurate, full-color image rendering, inkjet paper may be the better fit. Inkjet prints are also less susceptible to fading over time if stored incorrectly.
Which is Better for My Business?
Aside from a few highly specific situations, thermal paper is typically the ideal receipt paper for most businesses. The speed, cost, and reliability advantages make it the overwhelming choice for POS, retail, and hospitality environments.