Mostaco Marketing is here to help your Philippine business choose the right Point of Sale (POS) paper. When it comes to printing receipts and transaction records, you might wonder if thermal or journal paper is the best fit. Both have their unique benefits and drawbacks. In this guide, we’ll break down the differences between thermal and journal POS paper so you can make an informed decision for your business.
What’s the Deal with POS Paper?
Every business, big or small, relies on POS paper for daily transactions. From a quick coffee shop receipt to a detailed invoice, this paper plays a crucial role. Choosing the right type isn’t just about printing; it’s about efficiency, cost, and how long you need those records to last.
In the Philippines, we see two main types of POS paper: thermal and journal. Let’s get to know them better.
- Thermal Paper: This is a special paper coated with chemicals that react to heat. When a thermal printer applies heat to it, the paper changes color, creating your text or image without needing any ink.
- Journal Paper (also known as Bond or Carbonless Paper): This is more like the regular paper you’re used to. It’s designed to be used with printers that use ink, like impact (dot-matrix) printers, or even some laser printers. Journal paper can come in single sheets or multiple layers (like 2-ply or 3-ply) to make copies.
The Big Differences: How They Print and What That Means
The core difference between thermal and journal paper lies in their printing methods. This affects everything from speed to cost and even how long your receipts will last.
- Printing Method:
- Thermal Paper: Uses heat. Imagine a tiny iron touching the paper; wherever it touches, the paper turns black (or sometimes blue or red). No ink cartridges, no ribbons. This is called direct thermal printing.
- Journal Paper: Needs ink. Printers that use journal paper work by pressing an inked ribbon onto the paper, or by spraying ink droplets, much like a traditional home printer. For multi-ply journal paper (like carbonless rolls), an impact printer presses a pin onto the top layer, transferring the impression through to the layers below.
- Ink vs. Heat:
- Thermal: Ink-free printing means fewer consumables to buy and replace. It’s all about the paper reacting to heat.
- Journal: Relies on ink ribbons or cartridges. This means you’ll need to stock up on these in addition to the paper rolls.
- Longevity:
- Thermal: The print on thermal paper can fade over time, especially if exposed to heat, light, or certain chemicals. Think of a receipt left in a hot car – it often turns black or fades completely. While some thermal papers have protective coatings to extend their life, they are generally not ideal for long-term archiving. We’ve seen thermal receipts last about 7 years under good storage.
- Journal: Prints on journal paper, especially those from impact printers, tend to be much more stable and can last longer. Bond paper prints can endure for about 5 years, and carbonless copies around 2 to 3 years. This makes journal paper a better choice for records you need to keep for many years.
Pros and Cons: A Quick Look
Let’s weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each paper type to see which might be better for different kinds of businesses.
Thermal Paper
- Pros:
- Speedy Printing: Thermal printers are incredibly fast because there are no moving parts like print heads or ribbons that need to move back and forth. This means quicker transactions and shorter lines for your customers.
- Quiet Operation: Without impact printing, thermal printers make very little noise, which is great for quiet retail environments or customer-facing areas.
- Lower Running Costs (No Ink): Since thermal paper reacts to heat, you don’t need to buy expensive ink cartridges or ribbons. Your only ongoing cost for printing is the paper itself.
- Less Maintenance: Thermal printers have fewer moving parts, which generally means less wear and tear and lower maintenance needs compared to ink-based printers.
- Clear Prints: Thermal paper usually produces sharp, easy-to-read text and barcodes.
- Cons:
- Fading Over Time: The biggest drawback is that thermal prints can fade, especially with exposure to sunlight, heat, humidity, or plasticizers (like those found in PVC wallets). This makes them unsuitable for long-term records that need to remain legible for years.
- Sensitive to Heat: Unintended heat sources (like a hot cup) can cause the paper to discolour and obscure the print.
- Not Easily Recyclable: Due to their chemical coating, many thermal papers are not easily recyclable with regular paper waste.
- Limited Colors: Most thermal paper only prints in black.
- Can be Scratched or Rubbed Off: The printed image can be more easily scratched or rubbed off compared to ink on journal paper.
Journal Paper (Bond/Carbonless)
- Pros:
- Longevity: Prints on journal paper are much more stable and don’t fade due to light or heat exposure, making them ideal for long-term record-keeping, invoices, or anything that needs to be archived.
- Multiple Copies (Carbonless): Multi-ply carbonless paper rolls allow you to create duplicate or triplicate copies instantly, which is perfect for businesses that need copies for customers, internal records, and accounting.
- Durability: Journal paper is generally more robust and less prone to damage from scratching or rubbing compared to thermal paper.
- More Resistant to Environmental Factors: Unlike thermal paper, journal paper is not affected by heat or certain chemical exposures in the same way, making it more stable in various environments.
- Cons:
- Slower Printing: Impact printers that use journal paper are typically slower and noisier than thermal printers.
- Higher Consumable Costs: You need to purchase ink ribbons or cartridges in addition to the paper rolls, which adds to the overall running cost.
- More Maintenance: Printers using ink have more moving parts and require more maintenance, such as replacing ribbons and cleaning.
- Noise: Impact printers can be quite noisy, which might be disruptive in certain business settings.
Which is Right for Your Business in the Philippines?
The choice between thermal and journal POS paper often comes down to your business’s specific needs and how you handle transactions and record-keeping.
- Consider Thermal Paper if Your Business:
- Has high transaction volumes, like a grocery store, fast-food restaurant, or convenience store.
- Prioritizes speed and quiet operation at the checkout counter.
- Doesn’t require receipts to be kept legible for many years (e.g., daily sales receipts that are digitized or summarized quickly).
- Wants to minimize ongoing consumable costs by eliminating ink.
- Examples: Retail shops, quick-service restaurants, gas stations, ATMs, parking meters.
- Consider Journal Paper (Bond or Carbonless) if Your Business:
- Needs durable, long-lasting records for auditing, warranties, or customer service inquiries that extend over years.
- Requires multiple copies of transactions, such as invoices, order forms, or delivery receipts (carbonless 2-ply or 3-ply is perfect here).
- Handles transactions where a physical, non-fading record is crucial.
- Examples: Warehouses, logistics companies, automotive repair shops, small service businesses, healthcare clinics (for patient records).
Common Types and Sizes Available in the Philippines
In the Philippines, you’ll find various sizes of both thermal and journal paper to fit different POS machines and receipt printers.
For Thermal Paper Rolls, common sizes you’ll encounter include:
- 57mm x 30mm
- 57mm x 40mm
- 57mm x 50mm
- 80mm x 50mm
- 80mm x 70mm
- 80mm x 80mm
These measurements usually refer to the paper’s width by its diameter or length. For example, 80mm x 80mm means the roll is 80 millimeters wide and has a diameter of 80 millimeters, or sometimes it refers to the length of the paper on the roll. Always check your printer’s specifications to ensure compatibility.In the Philippines, you’ll find various sizes of both thermal and journal paper to fit different POS machines and receipt printers.
For Journal Paper Rolls, especially carbonless types, a common size is:
- 76mm x 70mm (available in 2-ply for copies)
These rolls are often compatible with popular impact printers. While some specific sizes or ply options might occasionally be out of stock, reliable suppliers like Mostaco Marketing continually restock to meet demand.
Making the Right Choice to Optimize Your Business
Selecting the right POS paper is a simple yet impactful decision for your business. It directly affects your operational efficiency, customer satisfaction, and record-keeping practices. By understanding the core differences between thermal and journal paper, you can choose the option that best aligns with your daily operations and long-term needs. Whether it’s the speed and ink-free convenience of thermal paper or the lasting durability and multi-copy capability of journal paper, there’s a perfect fit for every Philippine business.
Mostaco Marketing is your trusted partner for all your office supply needs in the Philippines. We understand the importance of reliable and high-quality POS paper for your business. That’s why we offer a wide range of thermal and journal paper options, ensuring you find exactly what you need. With our commitment to fast delivery and free delivery services, you can rest assured that your essential supplies will arrive promptly, allowing you to focus on what matters most: running your business smoothly. For all your paper roll needs and other office supplies, reach out to us!