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The lifespan of thermal printing has come under the spotlight in recent times. One major question on the hearts of people is how long their thermal printed receipts, for instance, would last. Our team has reviewed many studies and professional recommendations on this topic and we will be sharing our findings with you in this article.
How long does thermal printing last? Thermal printing with direct thermal paper can last for about 7-15 years, while those printed on premium thermal transfer paper can last for 20-25 years depending on the ribbon type you use. Synthetic media can last for at least 20 years. But all of these depend on how well you store and handle the print material. If you don’t store or handle a thermal printed media properly, it can degrade in as little as 24 hours.
So how long your thermal printing would last depends on two main factors. The first factor is the type of thermal media you are using and the second factor is how well you store and handle the printed media. Always remember that all thermal rolls are not created equal and that they must be handled with care and stored properly both before and after printing.
Thermal Printing Lifespan Based On Media Type
Thermal transfer papers generally have a longer lifespan than direct thermal papers. But these papers come in different grades too. Premium grade papers last longer than standard papers. Also, synthetic media can withstand moisture better than paper media, a factor that also influences lifespan.
You must consider your printing needs carefully before you decide the appropriate media type to use. What you need is not a media type that lasts the longest. What you need is one that would last for as long as you need it. So let’s see the key factors to consider in choosing the media type that would last long enough for your printing need.
Key considerations for choosing a suitable media type
The following are the key considerations you should examine to know the kind of paper that would last long enough for your printing applications:
Heat Exposure
If your document will be exposed to extreme temperatures, you should choose a media material that can withstand heat. Generally, direct thermal papers would turn black if the temperature of the area exceeds 150° F (66° C). This is because the heat-sensitive chemicals of the paper would react and darken the entire sheet.
Moisture
If your print applications would come in contact with moisture, paper media would not be ideal. However, some premium paper media offer additional resistance to moisture. But for optimum moisture resistance, you should use synthetic media. The lifespan of synthetic media is typically not affected by moisture. Thermal prints of synthetic material will remain legible and intact despite moisture exposure.
Media Thickness
Thicker materials are usually sturdier and more durable. So using a thicker media would add to the lifespan of your thermal printing. However, thicker materials always have fewer papers per roll. This means you would have to change the roll after printing just a few labels.
Archiving Concerns
You should think about how long your thermal printed document would be useful. Your printing applications might not need archiving. If that is the case, you should not waste money buying expensive thermal media that have a long lifespan. Direct thermal papers are suitable for short-term labels while thermal transfer papers are more fitting for long-term applications.
However, when you are using thermal transfer printing, the ribbon type would also affect your document’s lifespan. Wax ribbons are the least durable while resin ribbons often create permanent applications. Wax-resin ribbons contain wax fortified with resin, so their lifespan is intermediate. If you are using synthetic media, you should use full-resin ribbons for a longer lifespan.
The top layer of coating
Some manufacturers do not add a layer of topcoat to their thermal paper. This layer provides added protection to the document against environmental exposure. Papers that have this layer often last longer than those without it because of their added resistance properties.
Thermal Printing Lifespan Based On Storage Conditions
For any thermal document to last long, you must pay attention to their storage conditions. Here is how to store your thermal labels for an optimum lifespan:
Recommendations for a long shelf life
The shelf life of your thermal paper refers to how long the paper can remain intact on the shelf before you print on it. If the storage conditions already compromised the shelf life of your paper, the thermal print would also not last as long as it should. Here are the recommendations for optimum shelf life:
· Store unused thermal sheet rolls away from direct sunlight. Dark areas are better.
· The storage area should be cool and dry.
· The relative humidity of the area should be around 45-65%.
· Atmospheric temperature should be lower than 25ºC (77°F).
· Avoid compressing the paper roll. Don’t place any heavy material on the roll or stack too many rolls together.
These storage conditions will keep your paper rolls in the best condition and help enhance the lifespan of your thermal prints. Note, however, that thermal labels usually have an expiry date (between 1-3 years from the date of manufacture, depending on the brand). Even under the best storage conditions, avoid using expired labels.
Recommendations for a long image life
The image life of your thermal print refers to the lifespan of the thermal document from the time you print an image on it. The image on your thermal print will remain readable for a longer time if you pay attention to these storage conditions:
· Maintain proper filing conditions. The storage area should be cool and dry.
· Protect the document from sunlight exposure and all heat sources.
· The relative humidity and temperature conditions are the same as those for optimum shelf life.
· Store thermal documents away from incompatible materials, such as water and oil.
· Don’t use shrink wraps to store your thermal documents.
✅ Video – HOW TO STORE AND ORGANIZE RECEIPTS
Kristine shares her expertise in storing and organizing thermal receipts for a long lifespan. In the video, she claims that she’s been using this storage system for many years. You’ll be amazed at how simple it is to meet the storage requirements of thermal prints.
How to Make Your Thermal Prints Last Forever
Thermal prints eventually deteriorate no matter how long they last. The only way to keep them alive after they have deteriorated is to make and keep a copy. If the document is so important and you would need it after many years, it’s best to make copies while you still can.
You can scan the document and store a digital copy with proper backups so that you can always make a reprint whenever you have to. Copies are usually as valid as the original in most cases. You can also staple the faded original to the scanned copy whenever you are filing for taxes or claiming am insurance policy or warrantee.
Essentially, you should be proactive if you intend to preserve your thermal documents forever. Create digital copies while the documents are still in their best shape. And make sure these digital copies are properly backed up.
Related Questions
How do I get my receipt ink to reappear?
You can scan a faded thermal receipt and adjust the contrast and darkness of the scanned image on your computer. This should make the prints on the receipt visible again. You might need to use photo editing software like Photoshop for this. But in case, you’re not conversant with photo editing, you can blow low, dry heat towards the receipt from a distance to make the print reappear.
A handheld haird ryer would do a perfect job. But make sure the dryer is about 2 feet away from the receipt and that the heat setting is on low heat. If nothing happens with low heat, you can try medium heat.
Do thermal printers run out of ink?
Thermal printers don’t run out of ink because the mechanism is inkless. Instead of ink, thermal printers use heat to activate ink pigments either in a specialty paper or on a ribbon. Direct thermal printers use specialty papers while thermal transfer printers use ribbons.
You don’t have to spend on ink cartridges when you use thermal printers. In the case of direct thermal printers, you wouldn’t even need to buy printing ribbons. More so, you don’t have to worry that your printer may suddenly run out of ink during awkward moments.
How does thermal printing work?
Direct thermal papers use papers that have been chemically treated with heat-sensitive ink pigment. So as the printhead selectively heats different spots on the paper, those spots darken to create the desired image. Thermal transfer printheads do not heat the paper directly. They heat up and melt thermal ribbons onto the paper to create the desired image.
Thermal printers use a printhead like other printer types but their printheads release heat rather than ink. But direct thermal printers function in a slightly different way from thermal transfer printers
Conclusion
You can make your thermal prints last for many years if you store and handle them correctly. However, they would eventually deteriorate no matter how long they last. The only way to keep your thermal prints alive forever is to create digital copies on your computer and make sure to back them up regularly.
