{"id":1626,"date":"2020-12-24T16:30:59","date_gmt":"2020-12-24T16:30:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gorillaoutput.com\/?p=1626"},"modified":"2020-12-29T05:39:12","modified_gmt":"2020-12-29T05:39:12","slug":"how-does-receipt-paper-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gorillaoutput.com\/how-does-receipt-paper-work\/","title":{"rendered":"How Does Receipt Paper Work?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

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Many people desire to know how receipt papers work. Our team has in-depth knowledge of different types of receipt papers and how they work. So we have put this comprehensive post together to give you all the details about how receipt paper works?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How does receipt paper work? Thermal papers, which are the most common type of receipt papers, work by generating visible imprints upon heat application from thermal printheads. They contain heat-sensitive dye pigments. Wood-free papers, the traditional type of POS receipt paper, work by accepting ink or thermal ribbons on their surface to create imprints. Carbonless receipt papers, on the other hand, generate visible imprints when pressure is applied upon them.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As you can see, there are three major types of receipt papers, and each type works differently from the others. As you read on, we examine each type of receipt paper more closely and show you how they work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Photo by Carli Jeen<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

How Does Thermal Receipt Paper Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Thermal receipt paper rolls work without ink, ribbons, or toners. These papers rely on heat to generate imprints. When the printhead of a running thermal printer applies its hot pins on the paper, the heat-sensitive pigments in it are activated and imprints appear on the paper. Imprints only appear on specific spots where receipt details should appear because the printhead applies heat selectively on the paper.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

These papers are called \u201cthermal\u201d papers because they respond to heat. The ink pigments in them are thermochromic (that is heat-sensitive). So as the paper runs through the thermal printer and passes over its hot printhead, imprints begin to appear on it, without ink. This makes it an economic option, requiring just a few inventories.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where Does The Ink in Thermal Printers Come From?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Since thermal printers use no ink, people often wonder where the ink appears from, and how thermal papers generate imprints<\/a>. Latent ink pigments that react to heat are contained on the surface layer of thermal papers. The same layer contains color developers (also called the acid matrix). Upon the application of heat, the ink pigments react with the color developer and produce imprints on the paper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Usually, the color developer does not react with the latent ink pigments because the two are separated by a solid solvent. The heat from thermal printheads will melt this solvent on specific spots, thus allowing the ink pigments to react with the color developer on those spots. The ink pigments are usually colorless until they react with the color developer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more on how thermal receipt papers work, you can read our comprehensive post on the subject, titled “How Does Thermal Paper Work<\/a>?”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Health Concerns about the Color Developers \u2013 BPA and BPS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The common chemical developers used in thermal papers<\/a> are BPA and BPS. These are very potent color developers, but there are certain health concerns about them. BPA and BPS have serious health hazards for both humans and aquatic animals. It affects the hormones of the reproductive system, as well as causes attention disorders in children. It also has strong links with obesity and certain types of cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Meanwhile, thermal papers do not contain enough BPA or BPS to affect everyday customers. They are more hazardous to cashiers and others, who work with them all day long, every day. But because of its obvious health risks<\/a>, people are gradually shifting away from thermal papers. Scientists are also on top of their game, trying to find other color developers that have no health risks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2705 Video – Receipt Paper Basics – A Quick Lesson On Receipt Paper<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

This video from POS guys contains details about receipt papers. Watch as an expert describes plain receipt papers and thermal receipt papers. You will also learn how to differentiate between these two receipt paper types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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