Uses of and Difference between Thermal and Bond POS Rolls
In this article, we will explain the history and the uses of Thermal and Bond POS Rolls.
With modern technology and ease of payment, shopping can be done in just a second. Paying for your purchases have never been easier thanks to the EFTPOS terminals that made a revolution as an invention in the industry. The customers can instantly get a receipt with all the details of their purchase and use it as a valid document.
In the past, payment and receiving a valid receipt was not that easy and transparent. In places such as restaurants and bars where you order to buy products and don’t go to the cashpoint to pay, there was a great chance for manipulation by rogue salespeople. They would manually write the receipt and include something extra for paying and you wouldn’t be able to see it until it was too late and you had already paid for it.
However, with the fast development of technology, and the introduction of EFTPOS terminals, there is no place for manipulation. The products are scanned, selected from the computer’s register and a receipt is instantly provided.
Because the importance of these receipts is evidently huge, the material they are made of should be of premium quality and it should last long, be legible over a prolonged period of time and have a set of features that prompt consistency. For that purpose, there are two types of POS paper rolls that are used in the EFTPOS terminals: thermal and bond paper rolls.
The Difference
Thermal Paper POS Rolls have a sensitive thermal coating which activates when heat from the printer is applied on the surface thus creating the black image. They are very smooth on the surface and you can’t write with a pen on them – it looks and feels greasy. If you are not sure whether your POS rolls is thermal or bond, do the following tets. Swipe with your fingernail across the surface of the POS roll and if it leaves a black mark then it is thermal paper, if not it is bond paper.
Bond Paper Rolls don’t have a thermal coating n the surface and that is why you can’t leave a black mark on the surface with your fingernail. They feel a lot more like the regular bond copy paper and come in 1,2, and 3 plies, so you can choose them if you are in need of duplicate or triplicate copies.
The Different Uses
The thermal POS rolls guarantee at least 2 years of black image legibility. But, if they are exposed to heat and/or outdoor use then the text can fade really quickly. Because of this, you must store the thermal POS rolls correctly if you intend to use them for a prolonged period of time and to prevent the paper from being damaged by heat or light. You can use them with all types of EFTPOS terminals as they come in different sizes that suit every terminal.
The bond paper rolls, on the other hand, are still printed with a thermal ribbon even though they don’t have a thermal coating. They are usually picked if the user has a need of 2 or 3 ply copies in the hospitality or retail industry. They ensure less dust, higher print quality and longer life of the thermal printers. Furthermore, the bond paper rolls last longer, are more hard-wearing and scratch-resistant.
Regarding the price, both types are similar. The bond paper rolls might be slightly more expensive but taking into consideration that they are more durable, the price is justified. Also, it depends on the size of the paper rolls as it dictated the price. The larger sizes cost more, naturally.
The Bottom Line
Always make sure that you know what the specific purpose of your labels will be for. From there you can choose the type of POS rolls you need and not worry to make a mistake. If you need them for a receipt that don’t need to last long or are for short-term use, you should go with the thermal POS rolls, whereas, if you need them to last, then you need bond paper rolls.
Whichever you choose, you need to make sure that the material they are made from is eco-friendly and acquired in a sustainable way, from sustainable sources. Leaving our green imprint on the environment is more important now than ever. Plus, offering eco-friendly solutions to your customers is always a good start to show that you care about their business and its impact on the planet as well. Hence, always look for FEFC and SFC Forestry Certified materials.