Point of Sale Supplies Blog

Are Digital Receipts the Wave of the Future?

2012-02-17T08:28:00.000-08:00

If you have visited an Apple® store in the last few years, you've noticed that they offer the option to receive a digital (paperless) receipt instead of a traditional paper receipt at the time of purchase. Other large retailers including WalMart, Nordstrom, Whole Foods, Gap, Sears and KMart are implementing paperless receipts as well. But are receipt paper rolls in jeopardy of becoming a thing of the past? Let's review what digital options retailers and consumers currently have to choose from:

Retailer Software

Companies like My Receipts, AllEtronic and Seamless Receipts now offer a platform that allows any retailer to offer eReceipts. With this new software, retailers now have the ability to track customer purchases and target their marketing more than ever before. There may still be stumbling blocks to consider however. While the e-receipt presents new marketing opportunities for retailers, many consumers worry about possible privacy issues as well as the automatic addition to mailing lists.

Newcomer Proximiant has a slightly different approach that may alleviate customer apprehension. Proximiant enables customers to have receipts beamed directly to their smartphone without having to share personal information with the store. The Customer simply installs a digital receipts app on their smart phone and then taps the phone on a small device at the checkout counter.

Consumer Hardware

If you aren't quite ready to make the transition from paper receipt, to digital receipt, there are other options available. A scanner with digital filing software from companies like The Neat Company, Fujitsu and Brother will scan, organize and store receipts and other important documents on your computer. In addition, a company named Lemon utilizes a smartphone application that allows you to snap a photo of a receipt which can be tagged for future reference.

For most consumers, the biggest benefits come during tax season. With digital receipts, all the purchases made earlier in the year are easily accessible. Digital receipts also ensure customers can make returns if need be, thereby enhancing the customer's experience. What is your take on digital receipts? Do you see it as the wave of the future? Do you see any other stumbling blocks that would prevent widespread implementation? We'd love to hear your feedback!

Point-of-Sale Receipts as a Marketing Tool

2012-01-24T10:40:00.000-08:00

If you are looking for an affordable way to increase sales and encourage repeat business, look no further than your paper roll receipt paper. In the past, a point-of-sale (POS) receipt was simply used as a proof of purchase. Many POS terminals, POS printers, credit card terminals and cash registers now offer the capability to print custom messages on every receipt. This low cost tool makes it possible for you to market to your customers, every time they purchase from you.

Check out this white paper from CognitiveTPG, an integrated supplier of barcode printers, transaction printers, printheads, and label supplies. This informative paper discusses the continued rise of coupon redemption and the value that receipt marketing can bring for a fraction of a penny per receipt.

Has your business implemented any receipt marketing? Do you find it to be a successful marketing tool? We'd love to hear your thoughts on the subject!

QR Codes On Receipts

2011-12-22T11:00:00.000-08:00

Though they aren’t necessarily new, QR (Quick Response) codes are showing up everywhere lately. You can find them in magazines, on business cards, storefront windows, product labeling and displays, billboards or catalogs (just to name a few!). Users with a camera phone equipped with the correct reader application simply scan the image of the QR code to display text, a webpage, Vcard contact details, video and much more.

QR codes are a great way to engage potential and existing customers. That is one reason why some savvy businesses are printing QR codes directly onto their point-of-sale thermal paper receipt! Many POS terminals, POS printers, credit card terminals and cash registers now offer the capability to print graphics on every receipt. This low cost tool makes it possible for you to market to your customers, every time they purchase from you. Adding a QR code is a great way to reward current customers and encourages repeat business.

When used effectively, QR codes offer a strong call to action. When printed on a receipt, you can have your customized code link to:

1. Coupons
2. Contests
3. Surveys
4. Loyalty Programs
5. New products
6. Reviews

Technological advances have made it easier than ever to add custom content to receipts. We spoke with Star Micronics®, Citizen Systems® and CognitiveTPG®, three of the major point-of-sale printer manufacturers to determine their printing capabilities:

“QR codes are printed as bitmapped images (graphics) and users simply insert the QR code as a graphic or logo using the configuration utility of the printer model. For example, for the TSP100, the QR code is saved as a .jpg, so they can insert this QR code image into the configuration utility then set it to print at the top or bottom of the receipt.” Christophe Naasz, Director of Marketing for Star Micronics.

"Our print driver has the ability to scan the receipt printed and if a key word is contained in the receipt a coupon is printed. For example, if you are running a promotion on beer, if a beer purchase is scanned on the receipt a beer coupon would print. This coupon could contain a QR code on the receipt. We can print out a QR barcode in the header or footer as well." said Herb Netal, Dir., Engineering & Business Development for Citizen Systems.

"In thermal receipt printing the QR code can be printed as a graphic using middleware software to enhance the feature of the receipt. For instance CognitiveTPG two-color thermal and hybrid printers come with a receipt marketing tool to allow the user to add logos and graphics to the header or footer of the receipt. In this case the QR code would be entered as a graphic on the receipt. However this graphic has no actual relation to the printed transaction." said Angela Mansfield, Director of Corporate Marketing at Cognitive TPG. "In order to connect the QR code to the transaction the printer must be able to print it as a symbology or formula which is embedded in the firmware of the printer just as the 2D barcode is printed. The QR code can store more information than the standard 2D linear barcode which is one reason we are seeing an increase demand for this functionality. For instance there are some cases where the user wants to use the QR code to record the historical transaction and additional information in the case of a return to vendor application."

And here are a few technical tips to ensure success with QR code scanning:

* Test your QR codes with multiple readers and devices.
* Use a site like www.bitly.com to shorten the link to create a clean code.
* Make your codes at least 1″ x 1″ to ensure proper scanning.

In addition to printing QR codes directly onto your thermal receipt paper, you may also want to consider custom printed receipt paper rolls. Your message can be printed in full color which has been shown in studies to increase customer retention. For more information, visit our custom printed paper rolls page.

What are your thoughts on QR code technology and it's future? We'd love to hear your feedback!

Spot Color vs. 4-Color Process

2011-11-18T08:48:00.000-08:00

As a continuation of our previous post, I will discuss the differences between two printing processes: Spot color and 4-color. Depending on the type of artwork that will be used for the custom printed paper roll job, one process may be a better fit than another. In this post I will give a basic overview of spot color and 4-color printing.

Spot Color consists of printing with one or more solid pre-mixed colors. The ink is printed directly on the paper or substraight. We use the Pantone Matching System (PMS) as our reference chart. PMS lists consist of colors with an ID number and the color mix or recipe to create that color. For Example PMS #2945 uses 60.6 parts of Process Blue, 36.4 parts of Reflex Blue and 3.0 parts of Black to create that shade. PMS colors are shown for both coated and uncoated media. Spot color printing is effective for reproducing logos or simple graphics. We can print spot colors in up to 3-5 colors on the back and front side of the sheet. A PMS color chart can be found here:
http://www.interplas.com/product_images/Tools/PMS%20color%20chart.pdf

When using multiple spot colors sometimes trapping (adding a slight overlap between colors) is used to avoid gaps between colors.

Overprinting can also be used, which involves colors being printed on top of one another. The diagram to the left shows the differences in printing methods:

4-color process printing uses screens to separate colors. The press can print dots on top of dots to mix colors to create the illusion of many more colors, thus helping to attain photographic types of images or graphics with lots of color depth. The following four colors are used by the printing press: Cyan (a blue-green color), Magenta (a reddish-pink color), Yellow and Black (CMYK).

Below you will see how the combination of Cyan, Magenta, Yellow and Black printing plates create a full color photo:

Take a close look at the dots used to mix the colors.

Please keep in mind that these printing abilities are available, but are dependent on what you have in mind for your custom printed project. A receipt that features a photo may need a 4-color process job, while a simple one or two color logo may lend itself more to a spot color job. If you have any questions or if you would like to discuss a specific idea you please call us to discuss in more detail.

Components of Thermal Paper

2011-10-05T08:49:00.001-07:00

Thermal Paper is commonly used in Point-of-Sale, Cash Register, Credit Card Terminal, Kiosk, Fax, Pay-at-the-Pump, Medical, Casino/Gaming, Self Check-out, Mobile Printer and many others. Thermal Paper differs from bond paper in that the printer doesn't need a ribbon to image the paper. Another advantage of thermal printing is that there are less moving parts which translates into fewer breakdowns. Additionally, thermal printers are much faster than impact printers.

Here is how the process works on thermal paper:

In order for thermal paper to be imaged, it needs a static heat source like a hot stylus or more

commonly by a dynamic source of heat like a thermal print head. This is accomplished by a row of very fine dots that are heated and cooled as the paper is transported across the print head by a step motor.

The density of the image can be measured by how dark the image is when given different levels energy. See the graph below that shows the activation curve for a low, medium and high sensitivity papers. The darkness or density is measured bya Densitometer and paper must be fully imaged or reach a 1.2 density ready to attain the optimum image life for that grade.

Substrate - Paper or synthetic base sheet that comes in different calipes that the coatings are applied to.

Base Coat - Used like a "primer" to seal the substrate and provide a

surface that the thermal coating will adhere to.

Active Coat - This is the thermal coating, primarily a leuco-dye based chemistry sy

stem that will image when heat is applied.

Top Coat - A this clear layer of PVA that seals the active coat and provides environmental resistance and a longer image life, typically used in harsh or stressed environments.

Anti-static coat - This coating is applied to the back side of some papers, but primarily used as an anti-static coating on synthetic base sheets like Polypropylene based thermal grades which can generate or draw static and can burn out electronic components.

I hope this gives you a basic understanding of the construction of thermal paper. Please keep in mind as you are working on your various thermal paper projects that we carry a wide range of thermal roll papers that are made to OEM specifications. We can also produce custom printed paper rolls for just about any special application you might have. If you have any questions or you would like to discuss a specific topic please contact us for more information.

Printing Methods for Custom Printed Paper Rolls

2011-09-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

We are often called upon by our customers to produce a wide variety of custom printed paper rolls. For this reason, I thought a post that discusses the different printing methods available to us would be helpful. This post will give you the basic differences between the conventional printing processes used today for point of sale paper rolls, kiosk paper rolls and many other thermal paper roll applications. The types of printing that will be explained in this post will be Letterpress, Offset and Flexography.

Letterpress is the oldest printing method of printing. Invented in 1440, letterpress uses a relief (or raised text and images) printing plate. A reversed image is inked and then pressed into a sheet directly from the plate to paper to obtain a positive or right reading image. Letterpress is a very unforgiving medium, therefore printers must understand its capabilities. For instance, since most letterpress equipment prints only one color at a time, printing multiple colors can be challenging. The inking system on letterpress equipment is less precise than on offset presses, which can pose problems with some detailed graphics, small type or very fine halftone because when surrounded by another color, they can fill in with ink and lose definition. However, a skilled printer can overcome most of these problems.

Offset printing is a commonly used printing technique in that uses flat (no relief) thin metal plates in which the inked image is transferred (or "offset") from a plate to a rubber blanket and then to the printing surface. When used in combination with the Lithographic process, which is based on the oil and water don’t mix rule, the offset technique employs a flat image carrier on which the image to be printed obtains ink from ink rollers (Oil Receptive), while the non-printing area attracts a water-based film called "fountain solution" (Oil Repellent), keeping the non-printing areas ink-free. An advantage of offset printing over letterpress is that it produces higher quality, sharper images because the rubber blanket used conforms to the texture of the printing surface.

Flexography (often abbreviated to flexo) is a form of printing which utilizes a flexible relief plate. It is basically an updated version of letterpress where the ink roller transfers the ink to the Anilox Roller, then to the Plate Cylinder and then to the Impression Cylinder and then onto the paper roll or other subtrate. This method can be used for printing on almost any type of substrate including plastic, metallic films, cellophane, and paper. It is widely used for printing on the non-porous substrates required for various types of food packaging (it is also well suited for printing large areas of solid color). Laser-etched ceramic anilox rollers play a role in the improvement of print quality. Full color picture printing is now possible, and some of the finer presses available today, in combination with a skilled operator, allow quality that rivals the offset process.

Other variables that will come into play when choosing the right printing method for your custom printed paper roll include print volume and the width of the equipment. Narrow presses are better tailored to run low volumes and wide width presses to run high volume jobs.

I hope this gives you a basic idea of the options that are available for your custom printed roll paper needs. If you have any questions on the printing process and how we could help with a custom printed project, please feel free to call us to discuss in more detail.

Security Receipt Paper Rolls Stop Counterfeiters in Their Tracks

2011-08-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

According to The National Retail Federation’s (NRF) annual fraud survey, return fraud cost retailers an estimated $13.95 billion last year, up from $9.59 billion in 2009. In addition, the NRF states that 52.4% of all retail return fraud is from counterfeit receipts. With today’s sophisticated technologies, criminals are now creating counterfeit receipts to obtain refunds for stolen merchandise. Retailers are faced with a growing problem as scams become more sophisticated.

Security receipt paper rolls are a simple and affordable addition to loss prevention programs. Industries that will benefit from security solutions include retailers, casinos, gaming, lottery and other point of sale receipt applications. Use of the following security features on a point of sale paper roll will help businesses fight back against receipt fraud:

Ultra-violet Inks – A clear ink applied to the rolls face or back in a specified location and pattern. An image appears when placed under a black light (UV) light source.
Thermo Chromic Inks – When rubbed an image changes color momentarily or disappears momentarily and then reappears.
Coin Reactive Inks – A clear ink applied to the back (non-thermal side) of the roll in a specified location and pattern. An image will appear when rubbed with a coin.
Scratch Inks - Unique ink offers overt and covert security options for POS rolls. Ink permanently changes color when scratched and cannot be duplicated.
Front to Back Print Registration of Images – Builds security into the design of the receipt.
Void Pantographs – The word VOID appears when an attempt is made to copy a document.

Finally, retailers need to train their employees on how to handle returns and what to look for. Establishing clear procedures and checking the returned item to be sure it is the right product is just another way to help prevent fraudulent returns. While retail fraud is not easy to combat, a strong commitment to fraud prevention will pay off in the long run.

POS Supply offers the highest level of security for your paper roll receipts. In addition, we have a complete line of Custom Printed Roll Paper and Fraud and Loss Prevention solutions. Customers can maximize their loss prevention programs with counterfeit detectors featuring a UV light that instantly locates security stripes or symbols that are imbedded in currencies, credit cards, traveler's checks and other legal documents. Magnifiers, UV markers, and Mini UV Lights are just a few other theft-deterrent products that make up POS Supply’s fraud & loss prevention product offerings.

What other fraud and/or loss prevention solutions do you find helpful? Please give us your feedback.

What is Two Sided Thermal Roll Paper?

2011-07-21T07:30:00.000-07:00

Two sided thermal roll paper utilizes technology in which two thermal print heads print simultaneously on both the front and the back sides of a receipt. The two print heads are contained within a single thermal printer. NCR developed and patented this two sided thermal technology and has branded it 2ST (Two-Sided Thermal). There are pros and cons to this technology depending on who you talk to. In this post, I will try to break it down for you.

What Are the Benefits?

According to NCR, two sided thermal printing offers the following advantages:

Reduce Your Total Cost of Ownership

Less paper leads to lower overall consumables investment
Reduced labor costs by simplifying or eliminating processes
Lower inventory and reduced freight
Less waste / obsolescence with pre-printed media

Improve Operational Efficiencies

Two print heads increase printer speed and overall throughput. (this is disputed by IBM – see below)
Up to 50% fewer paper roll changes mean reduced customer wait times
Receipts are shorter, more manageable

Targeted Marketing Message

Variable print on-demand for the ultimate in affordable personalization
Enhance your profitability by eliminating costly preprinted media

Environmental Benefits

Reduced paper consumption
Reduced fuel and energy use
Reduced waste production and water requirements
Reduced use of landfill space

What Are the Negatives?

According to an IBM white paper published in October of 2010, two sided thermal printing offers the following disadvantages:

High Up Front Cost

Printer equipment is costly to purchase
Two sided paper can cost up to 2 1/2 times more than single sided thermal

Increased Printing Time

Transaction time can be as much as 33% longer due to the slower print speed of two sided thermal printers

Reliability

Due to the new technology, the supporting electronics have been found to be problematic
Because it requires two thermal print heads instead of one, the printer is more costly to repair

Greater Environmental Impact

2-sided media can require up to 30% more energy to produce
Less sustainable packaging

In addition, black printing on the front and back may be over looked by customers. Color printing has been found to be more effective when trying to grab the consumer’s attention.

Who is Buying In?

The following thermal printer OEM’s are in different stages of committing to this technology:

NCR
Zebra
Toshiba TEC
Hengstler-HECON
SNBC
Sato

At this time, other major thermal printer manufacturers including IBM, Epson, Star Micronics, Citizen, Bixilon and Seiko have not made a commitment.

Who is Making the Paper?

The following paper coaters are manufacturing the two sided thermal paper.

Oji Japan, Kanzan and Kanzaki
Appleton Paper
Mitsubishi HiTec
Koehler

Our Conclusion:

While this could be a revolutionary product, it is still early in the game to know for sure. As you can see, there are differences in opinion depending on who you talk to. Two color thermal paper had potential some years back but in the end, the paper was too expensive so the volume never came to drive down the raw material costs. Many printer OEM’s still advertise that their printers can print in 2 colors, but people are hard pressed to find the paper to run it.

Once again no matter which way you lean, we will be able to support your supply needs and offer the following 2-sided thermal roll paper:

What is your opinion of two sided thermal paper? We'd love to hear your feedback.

BPA in Receipt Paper: Cause for Worry….Or Not?

2011-06-17T10:13:00.001-07:00

Over the last year I have read numerous articles about BPA and its possible toxic connections to cancer, learning disabilities and infertility. POS Supply Solutions has been following the news on BPA’s effects on human health since 2006 and we have even written two other posts on BPA in Thermal Paper and Identifying BPA Free Paper in the last year. With all the blog posts, independent studies and government reports to sift through, it’s hard not to get confused and overwhelmed by all the information. Here’s the latest news that I have read regarding BPA recently:

Last month on the 23rd, the Environmental Health Research Foundation (a nonprofit research foundation specializing in Health and Environmental Science) stated “Despite the prevalence of recent media articles and blogs about Bisphenol A (BPA), there has been no change in US regulatory policy”, “The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) position on BPA remains unchanged, noting the lack of any creditable evidence of risk to human health”. In addition, the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) has stated that further regulation on BPA would require more scientific findings than are currently available.

On June 8th, the state of Connecticut House of Representatives approved a bill banning BPA in store receipts after a lengthy debate. This bill would take effect beginning July 1, 2015 unless the EPA issues a mandate before then. The state decided to delay the ban until the middle of 2015 to prevent a burden on businesses that may already be under excessive regulations, giving them time to develop alternatives. Maybe they don’t realize that business owners already have alternatives today? We at POS Supply Solutions have been offering BPA free receipt paper rolls for over 5 years.

What are your feelings are on the subject? Do you think that BPA should be banned in all receipt paper? We’d love to hear your take on this controversial topic!

Less is Not Always More: 3 Reasons Larger Point of Sale Paper Rolls Save Time and Money

2011-06-14T16:48:00.000-07:00

In an effort to save money, a large number of customers are now ordering smaller point of sale paper rolls. While it may appear to be a cost savings to order a smaller roll, the cost per foot is actually higher than larger rolls. Most standalone POS thermal printers can hold a 3 1/8” x 301’ paper roll, however we are seeing an increase in sales of 200', 220’, or even smaller rolls. Credit card terminals normally hold a 2 ¼” x 110’ paper roll but people are often buying the 80’, 85’ or even smaller. Simply put, ordering the largest roll your terminal or printer can handle is the wisest choice. Here's why:

Larger Rolls reduce your shipping, handling and warehousing costs. Purchasing larger paper rolls means a reduction in your shipping and handling because you have to order less often.

Less roll changes and register downtime save valuable time and money. Changing rolls less frequently equates to lower personnel costs and an increase in customer satisfaction. The time you save can be better spent servicing customers!

Larger rolls offer a lower cost per foot of paper. While there is a higher up front cost, the larger paper roll is actually less expensive and lasts longer.

Smaller Rolls Just Don't Measure Up
Check out our roll comparison sheet below to see the yield differences:

If you purchase a 2 1/4" X 110' Roll:

Original Roll Size	Increased Yield with 110' Roll
2 1/4" X 80'	38%
2 1/4" X 85'	29%

If you purchase a 3 1/8" X 301' Roll:

Original Roll Size	Increased Yield with 301' Roll
3 1/8" X 200'	51%
3 1/8" X 220'	37%
3 1/8" X 230'	31%
3 1/8" X 273'	10%

Our paper roll products are designed to deliver high performance and compatibility in all common transaction printers while minimizing the user's total cost of ownership. Our paper rolls are used in a wide range of applications including Point-of-Sale, Cash Register, Credit Card Terminal, Kiosk, Fax, Pay-at-the-Pump, Medical, Casino/Gaming, Self-Check-out, Mobile Printers and many others.

Mobile Printers are Everywhere

2011-04-21T10:09:00.000-07:00

The use of mobile printers has been steadily growing over the last few years. While these devices were originally designed mainly for small label applications, they are now being integrated into a wide variety of markets including public safety for accident reports and citations and hospitality for remote ordering and cashing out. Other industries include healthcare, retail, field services and manufacturing.

Flexibility and quick response time are a vital part of day-to-day business operations. The evolution of the mobile printer enables businesses to print on demand, instead of where they can access a desktop printer. Mobile printers offer great efficiencies such as real-time inventory control, customer communications and even invoices. They enable the user to print out high quality documents with crisp graphics and sharp text, wherever they are. The more popular mobile printers on the market include Zebra, O’Neil, Printek, Epson, Star, Seiko, Intermec, Radix, Casio, Brother/Pentax, Citizen and Extech to name a few.

Businesses can now print receipts, tickets, tags and barcode labels with relative ease. Paper options include bond or an array of thermal papers to fit a specific applications and environmental condition. We carry stock blank or custom printed mobile printer paper to increase company awareness and build brand loyalty.

If your company is looking for ways to increase productivity, accuracy and customer response time, mobile printers may be the solution for you. To find out more about our mobile paper offerings, please visit http://www.possupply.com/Mobile-Printer-Paper-Rolls.

Identifying BPA Free Thermal Receipt Paper Just Got a Little Easier

2011-02-17T16:58:00.000-08:00

How do you know if the receipt paper you are handling is BPA-Free or not? Up until recently, it has been virtually impossible because all BPA-Free thermal receipt paper looked exactly the same as non-BPA-Free. As we discussed in our December post, a study conducted by the Environmental Working Group in July of 2010 indicated that 40% of the receipts sampled from major retailers contained BPA. While the health effects are still unclear, this study has aroused concerns among consumers as well as retailers. We are pleased to announce that the market is changing.

In November Appleton, North America’s largest producer of direct thermal media announced the addition of easy-to-see red fibers to its most common POS receipt paper grade “Alpha 400-2.1”. Appleton designed its 'red fiber' BPA-free paper to help consumers and retail workers quickly identify the kind of thermal receipt paper they are handling. It is important to note that all Appleton thermal paper is BPA-free, but only the most common receipt grade contains the red fibers.

At this time, offshore supplier Koehler also has BPA-free receipt paper; their grade "KT48FA". Koehler is a large supplier of thermal paper to the US. This simply means that your thermal receipt paper may be BPA-Free even if it doesn't have red fibers.

If you purchase thermal receipt paper and are concerned about the effects of BPA, ask your supplier about the BPA-free options available to you. You can visit http://www.possupply.com/BPA-Free-Thermal-Paper-Rolls for a complete list of the products that we offer.

How to Select the Best Thermal Paper for Your Application

2011-01-05T07:47:00.001-08:00

Selecting the right thermal paper for your printing application is very important. Most documents look fine when they come out of the printer, but the true test is how they will hold up over their expected life span. When printed data is unreadable, problems with returns, service, warranties and compliance can arise.

The following key considerations should be examined before choosing a paper: Potential exposure to extreme heat or moisture, durability requirements, and intended lifespan. Examining the following areas will ensure documents remain intact and readable during their useful life.

Heat

If exposure to extreme heat is a concern, choose a material that is heat resistant. Documents left in vehicles, for example, where temperatures can climb over 150° F (66° C) in the summer can turn black and unreadable due to the chemicals in the paper reacting. To avoid this problem, some thermal materials are specially formulated to withstand higher temperatures.

Moisture

If your document will be subjected to moisture, either because it will be exposed to the elements or stored in a wet or humid area, a paper with additional moisture resistance or a synthetic material will protect the document from degrading and becoming unreadable.

Thickness (Durability)

Thicker materials tend to be more durable and are perceived by customers as higher quality. However, the thicker the material, the less paper per roll, resulting in fewer documents that can be printed before the roll needs to be changed.

Archivability (Intended Lifespan)

The longer documents need to be referenced and stored, the more durable they need to be, and the more protection they require from heat, moisture and other environmental factors. Storage is an important and often overlooked factor in a document's lifespan. Make sure the material you choose is rated to meet your archival requirements.

Topcoating

All thermal papers have a basecoat and a thermal coat, but not all have a topcoat. A topcoat provides an extra layer of protection against specific environmental exposure. Non-topcoated materials are acceptable for applications requiring limited resistance properties.

In our next post we will provide a detailed comparison chart of the papers we offer to help you choose the best thermal paper for your unique application. In the meantime, please contact us if you have further questions about thermal paper. Whether your application calls for heat or moisture resistance, archivability, extra durability, topcoating or a standard POS grade, POS Supply Solutions has the thermal paper roll solution for you.

BPA in Thermal Paper

2010-12-07T07:48:00.000-08:00

The purpose of this document is to provide our customers and employees with information on Bisphenol A (BPA).

Does the paper that POS Supply Solutions purchases for use in thermal paper receipt rolls contain BPA?
Some of the papers that are outsourced by POS Supply Solutions to fulfill customer requirements and used for retail receipts, gas pump receipts, ATM applications, and other point of sale transaction receipts may contain BPA depending on the source of the paper stock.

What is POS Supply Solution’s position regarding the safety of Bisphenol A?
POS Supply Solutions realizes that the use of BPA in thermal papers is a concern to our customers and the end users of thermal papers. POS Supply Solutions makes no claims regarding the safety of BPA as that is the job of agencies responsible for public health and safety. POS Supply Solutions has three action plans to address the concerns regarding BPA. The first is to monitor the ongoing studies and scientific debate on BPA. The second is to work with vendors from whom we purchase thermal grades containing BPA to assist them in finding alternatives to BPA if the scientific or legislative community recommends or requires such changes. The third is to respond to our customer’s requests for BPA free product.

Does POS Supply Solutions offer BPA FREE Thermal Paper?
POS Supply Solutions realizes that the use of BPA in thermal papers is a concern to our customers and the end users of thermal papers. POS Supply Solutions has a complete line of BPA FREE Thermal Paper Rolls. Please visit http://www.possupply.com/BPA-Free-Thermal-Paper-Rolls for a complete list.

What is the best source of information on BPA health concerns?
The National Institute of Health (NIH) and the National Toxicology Program (NTP) have been working diligently to determine if BPA presents health and safety risks. NIH and NTP are agencies of the United States Government Department of Health and Human Services. They are affiliated with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and other agencies that assess risks to public health and safety. NIH and NTP are an excellent source of unbiased information based on scientific analysis of BPA. They operate some of the most respected research centers in the world. BPA toxicology has been a priority at NIH and NTP for several years. Their scientists are assessing its safety by reviewing and analyzing scientific data gathered from laboratories all over the world. We have provided a link to the NIEHS website below where you will find facts on BPA to better understand the issues surrounding BPA. Please spend some time on the website. You will find accurate information on BPA without the possibly inaccurate and/or biased information that can be found on the Internet and in the press.

What is being done to eliminate BPA from thermal paper?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been working on this matter and is sponsoring an initiative designed to assist the thermal paper industry in finding safer alternatives to BPA as quickly as possible. Representatives from the thermal paper industry, large retailers (who use thermal paper), the scientific community, the chemical industry, the press, and other interested parties met in Washington with the EPA, NIH, NIOSH, NTP, and other federal health and safety agencies to launch the initiative. POS Supply Solutions will be working on the EPA steering committee and the working group focusing on finding and transitioning to alternatives to BPA.

Do all thermal papers contain BPA?
No, BPA is a component primarily utilized in some thermal point of sale receipt papers. Examples include gas pump receipts, cash register and ATM receipts. Recent independent analyses of thermal receipt papers used by large retailers indicate that roughly half of the receipts tested contained BPA. BPA is not commonly found in thermal labels, tickets and tags. Examples include supermarket labels, event tickets, airline baggage tags, etc.

Where can I find more information regarding the health and safety of BPA?
Please review the information below prepared by the NTP. It summarizes the results of NTP’s study on the possible effects of BPA and provides an excellent source of unbiased information.

MORE INFORMATION:

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/news/media/questions/sya-bpa.cfm

Thermal Paper Caliper & Basis Weight

2010-02-23T07:48:00.000-08:00

This is our last post on the four main aspects of thermal paper that affect its grade.

Caliper: Paper Thickness is often referred to as caliper and is measured in mils or thousandths of an inch. Not matter if you are making books or rolls of paper the caliper and number of sheets or length in feet will determine the thickness of the book or the Outside Diameter of the roll. You may find the need to measure the caliper of the paper you are using to compare it to another product or to a printer specification at some point and it would be good to do that in an accurate number.

The best way to measure would be with a Micrometer which comes in a few styles. The best way to measure paper would be to fold the paper in half, fold it in half again, measure the thickness with your gage and divide by 4. This will give you an average over a few location points and you will not capture a high or low spot.

Basis weight: At times the basis weight of the paper will go hand-in-hand with paper caliper and the basis weight identifies the paper's weight in pounds of a ream (500 sheets) in the basic size for that grade. In metric terms would be the weight in one square meter of paper or f/m2. Basis 70 would mean that 500 sheets 25" x 38" would weight 70 pounds. This is equivalent to 104 g/m2 in the metric system.

Please Note: The basic size is not the same for all paper grades (25" x 38" for coated and offset, 17" x 22" for writing papers, 20" x 26" for cover papers and there are others). Typically if you're working with similar paper your basis size will be the same.

In summary, Sensitivity, Environmental Resistance, Archivability and Caliper are the four main aspects of thermal paper that affect its grade.

Archivability of Thermal Paper

2010-01-13T16:39:00.000-08:00

A common concern regarding thermal paper is the length of time the paper's images will last. There are many types of thermal paper designed for a variety of applications. Some products are formulated for long image life and others are designed to balance economy and short duration use. Depending on the type of paper you use, the image could last anywhere from five to 25 years.

The life of the image depends on two critical selections: 1) Ensuring that the paper is matched to the thermal printer such that the image color is fully developed and 2) Selecting the appropriate paper grade to match the needs of the end user. For example, thermal products designed for airline ticketing or long life receipts have significantly improved image stability over products formulated for short duration labels or grocery receipts.

The higher the paper's resistance the longer its image will last (as long as the paper is stored under proper conditions). Standard resistance has a 5 year image life. High resistance has a 7-10 year image life. Ultra high resistance provides the ultimate in image retention with a 20-25 year image life.

Consider using paper with high image resistance if you print:

ATM Receipts
Coupons
Merchandise Receipts
Receipts needed for expenses or tax reasons
Gaming, Tote, or Lottery tickets
Anything with souvenir value such as concert tickets

Or event tickets or passes for:

Sporting events
Amusement parks, water slides
Ski lift tickets
Hunting or fishing game licenses
Transportation

Please contact us for more information on thermal paper or any other point of sale application.

The Environmental Resistance of Thermal Paper

2009-12-06T14:01:00.001-08:00

When deciding which thermal paper grade is right for you, it's important to consider the environment in which it will be used. The life of any thermal image may be reduced by exposure to heat, humidity, excessive light or contact with chemicals such as plasticizers, oils, solvents, adhesives, water, and some printing inks. If your receipt needs to be kept for a long period of time and winds up in your wallet or purse, on the dashboard of your car, or near a window exposing it to excessive ultraviolet (UV) light, you could have a problem maintaining the receipt's image if not caught in time.

The chemistry combination of the thermal coating is sensitive to UV light and may exhibit some image degradation with extended exposure to office light, or shorter exposure to intense UV light. Some standard paper grades are more sensitive than others. The stability of the image will depend upon the degree to which the image was originally developed, and the intensity of the UV light and the character of UV (% of UV range in a light source). Background development may also occur with prolonged exposure to UV light.

To increase environmental resistance or durability of thermal paper a top coat can be added. This top coat provides extra protection against mechanical stresses, exposure to chemicals or environmental effects. A coating on the back of the paper (back coat) provides additional protection during printing, laminating, and numerous other processes. This higher paper grade is available in various paper weights and thermal activation speeds.

If your application puts this product in harsh conditions or your image needs to last, it would be worth looking into the different qualities of thermal paper available in the market.

Thermal Paper Sensitivity

2009-10-01T17:33:00.000-07:00

We’d like to take a more in-depth look at Thermal Paper Sensitivity. Paper Sensitivity is a significant factor when selecting a thermal paper for your application. The sensitivity of a thermal paper refers to the degree to which it reacts to heat (energy). A high sensitivity product will create a better image than a low sensitivity product when given less heat or energy. Images that need to be rich and dark require a high sensitivity thermal paper.

Paper Sensitivity is measured on a Dynamic Sensitivity Curve which is an X-Y graph that measure Energy in mill joules vs. Density. A fully developed thermal image will typically be 1.2 density reading or greater. The dynamic sensitivity curve shows how fast a thermal paper will image or print. It is especially important when selecting the thermal printer, since the higher the dynamic sensitivity of the paper, the faster the printer is able to operate. Dynamic sensitivity curves are available for a complete range of thermal papers.

Application Needs

High Sensitivity:
· Bar codes
· Thermal tickets
· ATM receipts
· Parking receipts
· Ideal for fast speed printers

Alternatively, images that do not need to be as crisp can be created on low sensitivity products.

Low Sensitivity:
· Standard point of sale receipts
· Supermarket weigh scale labels
· Distribution and logistics labels
· Ideal for standard speed printers

Static Sensitivity curves are important when considering using thermal paper in adverse environmental conditions like high temperature and UV exposure. Lower static sensitive thermal paper is needed to ensure that the media will not image due to heat from the sun or any other external source. There are Top Coated sheets available that can help in extreme instances where you might need to balance generating a good thermal image and not getting any unwanted background development.

In general, Paper Sensitivity is a balance of the paper, printer and environment in which they are being used. 80-90% of the applications use a standard grade thermal paper and function well. There are also many thermal printers used in harsh environmental conditions that function very well using special coated thermal products that fit the application.

Variety of Thermal Paper Grades

2009-08-21T09:40:00.000-07:00

Following our last post, some of you asked about the availability of higher grade thermal paper. A variety of grades exist. There are four main aspects of thermal paper that affect its grade.

1. Sensitivity—how much energy it takes to image the paper. The higher the sensitivity the better the image.

2. Environmental Resistance—how resistant the paper is to things such as light, heat, and moisture.

3. Archivability Years—the number of years the paper will retain its image(s).

4. Caliper—the thickness of the paper measured typically measured in mils.

POS Supply Solutions offers a wide range of OEM approved direct thermal POS products. Whether your application calls for a standard POS grade, a high durability grade with 25-year archivability, or the use of multi-colored direct thermal, POS Supply Solutions has the thermal paper roll solution for you.

In future posts we will explore each of these aspects in more detail. In the meantime, please contact us if you have further questions about thermal paper.

Why do images fade on thermal paper?

2009-07-24T13:36:00.000-07:00

Standard POS grade thermal papers use dye and coreactant technology to form an image. The combination is slightly sensitive to ultraviolet (UV) light and may exhibit some image decline with extended exposure to office light or shorter exposure to intense UV light. The stability of the image will depend upon the degree to which the image was originally developed, the individual product design, the intensity of the UV light and the character of UV (percent of UV range in light source).

Since standard POS grade thermal paper is sensitive to ultraviolet light, it must be stored properly to encourage fade resistance. Thermal documents should be stored in a dark place at a relative humidity between 45% and 65% and a room temperature below 77°F (25°C). If these conditions are met and the recommended equipment is used to create the thermal documents, the images should remain legible for at least five to seven years.

In addition to UV light, exposure to the following materials may lead to image degradation and should therefore be avoided:

• Organic solvents (i.e. Alcohols, Ketones, Esters, and Ethers)
• Cleaning Fluids
• Plasticizers
• Petroleum Solvents
• Wet-type diazo copy paper
• Carbon papers
• Castcoated papers
• Papers containing tributal phosphate
• Dissimilar thermal systems
• Carbonless papers
• Ammonia
• Certain Oils
• Water (prolonged exposure)

Thermal paper comes in a variety of grades. We offer a plethora of paper grades to meet your needs and combat image life issues. Just let us know how we can help you!

Why blog about Point of Sale Supplies?

2009-06-05T08:21:00.001-07:00

We receive hundreds of inquiries every year from people just like you who need a particular type of paper, ribbon, or cleaning solution and don’t know where to start. I’ll admit, even after 20+ years in the industry, it can be confusing to identify the exact type of supplies needed for an ultrasound machine, a gas station pump, a credit card terminal, or just a plain old adding machine. That’s where we come in. POS Supply Solutions prides itself on knowing the answers to your Point of Sale questions. If you stump us, we’re committed to finding the answers you need through some good old-fashioned research. Just leave a comment with your question(s) and we’ll get to work!

We also stay on top of economic trends , new POS product releases, and the global marketplace. We’re excited to discuss these things with you (and anything else regarding POS that you’re interested in!) and are dedicated to being your #1 resource when it comes to thermal paper, paper rolls, and all things Point of Sales.

Welcome to the Point of Sale Supplies Blog

2009-05-04T12:03:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Point of Sales Supplies Blog. Our goal is to provide you with relevant and timely information about the Point of Sales Supplies Marketplace.