HOME / TECHNICAL GUIDE / THERMAL PAPER TECHNOLOGY Thermal paper technology Jujo Thermal's thermal paper consists of base paper and some special coating layers. On the surface side, the precoat layer and the thermal layer are coated. To add high durability to the thermal printing image, the topcoat layer can be applied to the thermal layer. The backside layer can also be coated to improve printability and backside protection against the adhesive. Thermal printing Thermal paper is a recording media to be printed with heat from the thermal printer. The image is produced by heat, without printing ink, when the selected area of the thermal paper passes over the thermal print head. The image is created through the direct transfer of heat (thermal energy) to the thermal paper: thermal paper has a coating, which changes colour to black when exposed to heat. No ink ribbon, toner or ink cartridge is required to record information on the thermal paper. Thermal printing is done with small, compact thermal printers that do not need much maintenance. Thermal paper is widely used in many applications, such as labels, tickets, POS receipts, medical charts, because of its high reliability and convenience. Thermal paper structure The thermal paper consists of base paper and a few special coating layers. On the surface side (the recording side), the precoat layer and the thermal layer are coated. Base paper The first layer of the thermal paper is base paper specially developed for thermal paper technology. The base paper is coated by a thermal layer. Precoat layer The precoat layer improves heat insulation, smoothness, uniformity, and anchoring of the thermal layer. Thermal layer The purpose of this layer is to produce images with a thermal reaction. In practice, the paper turns black in the heated areas due to this layer with chemicals like dye, developer, and sensitizer. Topcoated thermal paper structure A topcoat layer is applied to the thermal layer when high durability of the thermal printing image is needed. Also, the backside layer can be coated to improve both the printability and the reverse side protection against the adhesive. Topcoat layer The topcoat layer protects the thermal layer from water, oil, solvent, humidity, scratches, etc. Backcoat layer The backcoat layer is applied for de-curling, antistatic electricity treatment, and back-barrier against adhesive. Thermal paper features The main function of thermal paper is “thermal printing”. This is why, in addition to normal paper properties like grammage, thickness or strength, the thermal printing quality, and image stability are important. Furthermore, pre-printability by conventional printing methods like Flexo or Offset is also required for thermal paper. General paper properties Basic properties: grammage, thickness, moisture Strength properties: tensile and tearing strength, elongation Surface properties: brightness, opacity, whiteness, smoothness/roughness, surface strength Absorption properties: water, oil, printing ink Thermal paper properties Image stability refers to how many years the thermal print will be readable when stored in correct conditions. Density is an optical density value measured from thermal printed image. Static sensitivity shows at which temperature the thermal image starts to formulate. Low static sensitivity means that the thermal image starts to formulate at high temperatures. High static sensitivity, in turn, means that thermal imaging starts at low temperatures. If thermal paper is used at high-temperature conditions, the static sensitivity is a very significant feature. Dynamic sensitivity shows how fast and with what energy level the thermal paper can be printed. Basically, higher dynamic sensitivity equals better quality. Technical guide Roll specifications Thermal paper technology Correct storing Printing ink recommendations OEM approvals Frequently asked questions CONTACT US © Jujo Thermal Ltd. Jujo Thermal Ltd. Tel. +358 (0)10 303 200 Fax +358 (0)10 303 2419 jujosales@jujothermal.com CONTACT US SALES PORTAL Home News Careers Contact us Downloads Sales portal Sustainability Operating policy Environment Certificates About us President’s message Strategy History Privacy Policy Products Thermal papers C1S papers Flexible packaging papers Product search Technical guide Roll specifications Thermal paper technology Correct storing Printing ink recommendations OEM approvals Frequently asked questions This site uses cookies to analyse traffic and improve the user experience. By continuing on the page, you accept the use of cookies. More information OK