What is Thermal Paper?
Thermal paper is a special kind of paper that reacts to heat. This paper has a special coating on its surfaces, of dyes and developers. When a printer applies heat to it, these chemicals react and form an image, such as text or a barcode. So, you don’t need ink or toner; all you require is heat.
What is Normal Paper?
Normal paper is what people use for notebooks, printers, and documents. This is generally made up of wood pulp or recycled materials and it has no chemical coating. There are multiple types:
- Inkjet paper: Made for inkjet printers, where the paper absorbs tiny drops of ink.
- Laser paper: Specially designed for laser printers, which use toner. This is a fine powder that sticks to the paper with heat.
- Woodfree paper: The making process of this paper has no groundwood. This makes it suitable for books and office use.
- Recycled paper: These are papers made of recycled fibers and are good for the environment.
A normal paper needs ink or toner to work. The printer actually puts the color & stuff onto the paper to make the text or images.
Key Differences: Thermal Paper vs Normal Paper:
| Feature | Thermal Paper | Normal Paper |
|---|---|---|
| Composition | Coated with chemicals (dyes/developers) that react to heat | No special coating, usually just wood pulp |
| Printing Method | Heat applied, no ink or toner needed | Inkjet or laser uses ink/toner |
| Printer Type | Thermal printer only | Inkjet, laser, copier, or dot matrix printers |
| Typical Uses | Receipts, tickets, POS, labels, barcodes | Receipts, tickets, POS, labels, barcodes Books, notebooks, official documents |
| Durability | Fades over time, sensitive to heat and light | More durable, lasts longer, not heat-sensitive |
| Cost | More costly due to coating | Cheaper, especially in bulk | Image Quality | Sharp, fast, clear for receipts | Depends on printer quality and ink |
| Printing Speed | Very fast printing | Variable, but usually slower |
| Storage Needs | Must avoid heat, light, and humidity | Standard room conditions |
| Recyclability | More difficult, due to chemical coating | Easier, standard methods |
Is Thermal Paper More Durable Than Normal Paper?
- They are super sensitive to light, heat, friction, and even chemicals. It can easily fade away or turn dark if kept in a hot place or sunlight.
- The print can disappear on scratching or rubbing.
- Normal paper printing doesn’t fade away with sunlight or heat. The text and images last longer and are better for documents and record-keeping.
Which Is Cheaper: Thermal Paper vs Normal Paper?
Can Thermal Paper Be Recycled Like Normal Paper?
Is Thermal Paper Safe to Use? (Health and Safety Concerns)
Conclusion: Which Paper Should You Choose?
Common Questions: Thermal vs Normal Paper
1.Can you use thermal paper in a normal printer?
Thermal papers need thermal printers because normal printers use ink or toner while thermal printers use high heat. Choosing the wrong printer can cause damage as well.
2.Does thermal paper always fade?
Yes, thermal paper fades over time, especially when they are exposed to light, heat, and rubbing. It’s bad for archival use.
3. Is normal paper better for the environment?
Thermal paper easily gets recycled, and they don’t use any kind of chemicals, so generally, they are better for the environment. Thermal paper, on the contrary, is difficult to recycle.
4.Can thermal printers print in color?
Most thermal printers only print black and white. There are color thermal printers, but they are highly expensive.
5.What GSM is best for thermal and normal paper?
Most thermal paper uses 55-70 GSM. Normal office paper is usually 70-80 GSM. However, before buying paper lots, check your printer requirements for the best results.