Define Thermal Paper

Many fax machines rely on thermal paper.

Thermal paper was invented as a process for Xerox machines in the 1950s. Since then, it has been largely replaced by other technologies, but it still has some applications in devices that print out receipts or labels.

How It Works

Thermal paper is coated with chemicals that react to heat by darkening. Only one side is coated. Thermal printing devices work by running a hot stylus over the surface of the paper to write data.

History

Thermal paper was originally used for copying. The early machines worked by using infrared light to heat up the ink on a document with thermal paper under it. The heat from the ink would cause thermal paper underneath to heat up, automatically copying what was written on the original document.

The Advantages of Thermal Paper

Thermal devices tend to last longer than most other printing devices because they don't have as many moving parts. They also don't use ink, which means you don't have to change ink cartridges---and they're very fast.

The Disadvantages of Thermal Paper

The paper isn't very durable, so it isn't good for keeping records. Any kind of heat can eventually cause the entire surface of the paper to darken, and it tends to fade over time.

References

• National Archives of Australia: How Do I Manage Records On Thermal Paper
• Environmental Protection Agency: General Background Information On Thermal Paper