What Is Thermal Fax Paper?

Thermal fax paper is required in many older fax machines.

Although many of today's fax machines use either an inkjet or laser printer to make images, faxes originally worked by using a heated element to create an image on temperature sensitive paper.

Identification

Thermal fax paper is a special temperature sensitive paper. It typically comes on a roll and is fed through the fax machine. The paper is cut by either an in-machine paper cutter, or by the fax recipient.

Drawbacks

Thermal fax paper is prone to curling, since it is sold on a tightly packed roll. New fax machines may contain an anti-curling feature. It is also very thin, and has a waxy appearance due to its special heat-sensitive coating.

Considerations

Thermal fax paper is not an archival medium. Exposure to heat, UV light or chemicals can eliminate the image. The life of a document printed on thermal fax paper is only about five years, even under optimal conditions.

References

• Brother: Fax Machines
• Staples: Staples® Thermal Fax Paper, 98' roll x 1/2" core
• Abbey Newsletter: A Short Research Project into the Permanence of Thermal Fax Papers