| Given the numerous applications of thermal paper, | | | | recommended temperature will make them perform at |
| leading manufacturers of thermal paper introduce their | | | | a satisfactory level for at least three years from the |
| own grading system based on the industry sector they | | | | date they were manufactured. |
| serve and the specific uses for their products. | | | | The grade of thermal paper will also determine the |
| Thermal paper grades, therefore, are determined by | | | | degree of durability or what the paper industry calls |
| the manufacturers. They use their own terminology, | | | | fade resistance. Obviously, the higher the grade, the |
| with terms such as high grade or super grade; | | | | higher the resistance. Those with superior resistance |
| however when it comes to differences between | | | | are usually manufactured with special dyes and |
| individual manufacturers, much will depend on who their | | | | co-reactant technologies for image production. Care |
| suppliers are. | | | | must be taken however not to over-expose thermal |
| When talking about thermal paper grades, one usually | | | | paper for prolonged period to UV light as discoloration |
| goes by the Alpha grading system which means that | | | | may occur. |
| the higher the number, the higher the grade (or in the | | | | It is recommended that no matter how high the thermal |
| case of thermal paper, the higher the resistance and | | | | paper grade is, measures must be taken to protect |
| stability). | | | | them from contact with plastic wraps, adhesives, |
| For instance, an Alpha grading of 300 would refer to | | | | industrial glues, wet toner, and copies of certain types |
| thermal paper that would be used for gas station | | | | of carbon paper. |
| receipts and other documents with a short life-span | | | | Specialized Manufacturers |
| (meaning simply that people tend to throw these away | | | | If you visit the web sites of thermal paper |
| almost as soon as they receive them, so a high-quality | | | | manufacturers or resellers, their descriptions of thermal |
| paper is not important). An Alpha grading of 900, on | | | | paper products vary. For example, one European |
| the other hand, would refer to paper that is used for | | | | thermal paper manufacturer claims that his standard |
| medical prescriptions and which should have a longer | | | | paper types are guaranteed for at least a five-year |
| storage life, (usually around seven to ten years). | | | | legibility. The same manufacturer can also |
| Then there are thermal paper manufacturers who | | | | accommodate requests from buyers for special |
| offer standard top coated thermal paper and high heat | | | | papers with shelf life of up to 99 years, but this type |
| resistance thermal paper. | | | | should be requested in advance. These 99-year |
| Criteria for thermal paper grades | | | | thermal papers must be stored in the right conditions |
| In terms of thermal paper grades, one of several | | | | – usually 20 degrees Celsius room temperature, a |
| criteria is the base: standard paper base, thin paper | | | | 50% relative humidity and definitely no direct exposure |
| base, film base and board paper base. | | | | to sunlight. |
| Another criteria is resistance. You have high heat | | | | Some manufacturers specialize also in thermal paper |
| resistance, high resistance to ultraviolet light, super high | | | | used for POS systems: most of these produce |
| sensitivity, intense heat resistance, superb dot | | | | two-ply paper rolls for a wide range of POS systems. |
| production, and a few others. Heat resistance ranges | | | | OEMs of thermal printers impose strict specifications |
| from 60 to 100 degrees Centigrade. | | | | for thermal paper. The kind of thermal paper to be |
| Thickness is another aspect to consider. Thickness | | | | manufactured will depend on the model or brand of |
| ranges from 64 to 190 mm. The weight of the thermal | | | | the printer. Specifications may cover base, weight, |
| paper is part of determining its grade. Weights can | | | | caliper, smoothness or degree of glossiness, stiffness |
| range from 55 to 170 grams. | | | | and resistance to tear and fade. The quality of the |
| What the thermal paper is being used for will also | | | | image also plays a key role in thermal paper grading |
| determine grade. For example, do you need to print | | | | as well as the cutting test. |
| parking tickets, grocery tickets, train and airline tickets | | | | Whatever the grade, suitability of the application must |
| or industrial use tags? Obviously, the industrial tags | | | | take precedence. If you run a grocery store for |
| would require a higher grade thermal paper. | | | | instance, you would not purchase 99-year thermal |
| As for shelf life, the higher the grade, the longer the | | | | paper just to print check out receipts. If you run a drug |
| shelf life. And you can even extend the shelf life of the | | | | store and need to print medical prescriptions which can |
| paper by storing it carefully – some manufacturers | | | | be the subject of a court inquiry, you will want to have |
| say that storing their higher grade thermal papers in a | | | | a superior grade type of thermal paper – the kind |
| dark location with moderate humidity and at the | | | | that would last at least 10 years. |