icon Skip to content
Why Is My Thermal Receipt Paper Fading?

Why Is My Thermal Receipt Paper Fading?

Have you ever gone to pull out an old receipt only to find that it has faded to the extent that it is difficult to read? Thermal receipt paper is a very efficient and cost-effective means of printing receipts. However, it must be stored properly. Let’s take a look at why fading happens as well as how to store thermal paper to preserve it. 

Why Does Thermal Receipt Paper Fade? 

To understand why thermal receipt paper fades, we only need to think for a moment about how the receipt is printed. With this type of paper, the image on the receipt is created by a careful application of heat. This allows an image to precisely be printed. 

However, this also means that the finished receipts are still quite sensitive to heat. If you want to experience this, simply hold a hot iron close to some thermal paper and you will see it quickly change color. 

In reality, thermal receipt paper typically fades quite slowly over time. After all, it is rare that you would hold it to an iron. However, there are a few other things that can cause thermal receipt paper to fade over time including the following:

  • Direct sunlight
  • Warm temperatures
  • Moisture
  • Other things that facilitate chemical reactions in the paper

Obviously, you don’t want your records to fade over time. Thus, let’s take a look at some basic tips for storing thermal receipt paper. 

How to Store Thermal Receipt Paper

Fortunately, storing thermal receipt paper does not have to be a complex thing. There are just a few core tips to follow in order to ensure that you maintain your records for a long time without worrying about fading. 

Do Not Place in Direct Sunlight

You should never leave thermal receipt paper in direct sunlight. Even leaving it in a car for a few days can cause it to begin to fade significantly. Thus, you want to ensure that you are not storing thermal paper or receipts near windows where it can be exposed to sunlight. Instead, keep it stored in a dark place like a cabinet or filing system. 

Store It in a Cool, Dry Place

Thermal receipt paper will maintain its integrity if it is stored in a place that is both dry and cool. Since high temperatures can cause gradual fading, you want to ideally store it at a maximum of 77 degrees, ideally lower. Additionally, moisture can cause problems, so store it somewhere away from the potential of leaks, ideally in a room with humidity between 45 and 65 percent. 

Don’t Tape Thermal Receipt Paper

There are a few other things that can cause the chemical reaction that produces the receipt image. One of these things is tape. Ensure you do not place tape onto an area of thermal receipt paper containing text or images as the taped area will quickly become illegible. If you must tape thermal receipts, make sure to only tape the edges far away from text or images. 

Final Thoughts

Keeping these tips in mind will help ensure that you don’t have to worry about your receipts fading. As always, keep POS Paper in mind for all of your receipt paper and credit card supply needs. 

Previous article Why Your Business Should Buy Supplies in Bulk
Next article Carbonless vs. Thermal Paper: Everything You need to Know About Receipt Paper
3 1/8" x 230' Thermal Paper (50 rolls/case) -- BPA Free
Buy Now
3 1/8" x 220' Thermal Paper (50 rolls/case) - BPA Free
Buy Now
2 1/4" x 50' Thermal Paper (50 rolls/case) - BPA Free
Buy Now
2 1/4" x 85' Thermal Paper (50 rolls/case) - BPA Free
Buy Now