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Archivability of thermal paper
- Stephen Enfield
A common concern regarding thermal paper is the length of time the paper's images will last. There are many types of thermal paper designed for a variety of applications. Some products are formulated for long-image life, and others are designed to balance economy and short-duration use. Depending on the type of paper you use, the image could last anywhere from five to 25 years.
The life of the image depends on two critical selections: 1) Ensuring that the paper is matched to the thermal printer such that the image color is fully developed and 2) Selecting the appropriate paper grade to match the needs of the end user. For example, thermal products designed for airline ticketing or long-life receipts have significantly improved image stability over products formulated for short-duration labels or grocery receipts.
The higher the paper's resistance the longer its image will last (as long as the paper is stored under proper conditions). Standard resistance has a 5-year image life. High resistance has a 7- to-10-year image life. Ultra high resistance provides the ultimate in image retention with a 20-25 year image life.
Consider using paper with high image resistance if you print:
- Coupons.
- Merchandise receipts.
- Receipts needed for expenses or tax reasons.
- Gaming, Tote, or Lottery tickets.
- Anything with souvenir value such as concert tickets
Or event tickets or passes for:
- Sporting events.
- Amusement parks
- Ski-lift tickets.
- Hunting or fishing game licenses
- And transportation
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