Thermal Paper Thickness

What is thermal paper thickness?

Thermal paper thickness is usually described in terms of “Grammage (GSM)” and “Caliper (in μm or mm)”. Grammage indicates the weight of the paper per square meter, while thickness reflects the actual thickness of the paper, and the two are usually proportional to each other, which is an important indicator for assessing the quality of thermal paper.

Calipers are commonly used to measure the thickness of a single sheet of thermal paper in thousandths of an inch (mils) or microns (μm). Measurement requires the use of specialized calipers, calipers gently pressed on the paper, the instrument displays the reading that is the thickness of the paper.

Why is thermal paper thickness important?

Device compatibility - different printers have specific paper thickness requirements, and thermal paper that is too thick or too thin can cause paper jams, improper heat transfer, or damage to printer components.

Factors Affecting the Thickness of Thermal Paper

Raw Paper Thickness

The type and quality of pulp used for thermal paper determines the thickness of thermal paper. Higher quality pulp produces a more uniform and dense structure, which may give the paper a certain thickness.

Production Process

Different production processes can affect the thickness of thermal paper. Different production processes may result in different tightness and density of thermal paper, which affects the thickness of the paper.

Coating Thickness

Thermal paper is generally divided into three layers, the paper base, the thermal coating, and the protective layer, which reacts with heat to produce text and images, and the thickness of the thermal coating affects the overall thickness of the paper.

Choosing the right thickness of thermal paper

When choosing thermal paper, you need to select the right product for your specific needs.

If you are only in an environment where consumption is high and use is not too intense, choosing a standard thickness of paper around 50 - 60 gsm or 3.5 - 4.5μm may be fine.

Also, be sure to check the compatibility of the paper thickness with the thermal printer to avoid any operational problems.

If you are not sure how to choose the right product, please feel free to contact us. In conclusion, the choice of thermal paper thickness has a significant impact on its performance, durability and compatibility. When you decide to make a purchase, be sure to test samples in advance, Modern Paper Rolls can provide sample service.