RollHero — Thermal Paper Guide
Thermal paper is the backbone of receipt printing in New Zealand — from EFTPOS terminals at your local café to POS systems in supermarkets, warehouses, and medical centres. This guide from RollHero, a Kiwi family-owned supplier, explains how thermal paper works, where it’s used, and how to get the best value for your business.
How Thermal Paper Works
Unlike regular paper that requires ink or toner, thermal paper has a heat-sensitive chemical coating. When a thermal print head applies heat, the coating darkens to form text, barcodes, and images. This means:
- No ink cartridges — zero consumable costs beyond the paper itself
- Faster printing — ideal for high-volume receipt environments
- Low maintenance — fewer moving parts mean less printer downtime
- Quiet operation — no impact printing noise
Quality thermal paper typically has three layers: a base paper layer, the thermal coating (with leuco dye and developer), and a protective topcoat that resists moisture, oil, and UV fading.
Common Uses in NZ Businesses
Thermal paper is used across virtually every industry in New Zealand:
- Retail receipts — 80mm rolls for POS printers at registers and checkout counters
- EFTPOS transactions — 57mm rolls for payment terminals processing card payments
- Hospitality — kitchen order dockets, bar tabs, and guest receipts
- Healthcare — prescription labels, patient wristbands, and appointment slips
- Logistics & shipping — courier labels, warehouse picking lists, and packing slips
- Parking & ticketing — parking meters, event tickets, and queue management
Thermal Paper Sizes Explained
Choosing the correct size is critical for your printer. The dimensions are width × diameter in millimetres:
| Size | Best For | RollHero Price |
|---|---|---|
| 80×80mm | POS receipt printers (Epson, Star, Bixolon, Citizen) | From $1.48/roll |
| 57×40mm | Portable EFTPOS & mobile POS terminals | From $0.42/roll |
| 57×38mm | Compact EFTPOS terminals (Windcave, Ingenico) | From $0.42/roll |
Need help identifying your roll size? Check the EFTPOS Paper Rolls Guide for a terminal-by-terminal compatibility chart.
Eco-Friendly Thermal Paper
Traditional thermal paper contained chemicals like Bisphenol A. Modern thermal paper — including all rolls sold by RollHero — is , making it safer for staff who handle receipts regularly.
Tips for reducing environmental impact:
- Offer digital receipts where possible to reduce paper waste
- Choose rolls (all RollHero rolls qualify)
- Store unused rolls properly to prevent waste from premature degradation
- Buy in bulk quantities to reduce packaging and shipping frequency
Storing Thermal Paper Correctly
Thermal paper is sensitive to heat, light, and chemicals. For best results:
- Store in a cool, dry place below 25°C
- Keep away from direct sunlight and fluorescent lighting
- Avoid contact with solvents, plasticisers, and adhesive tapes
- Use stock on a first-in, first-out basis
Properly stored thermal paper will maintain print quality for 5–7 years.
Why RollHero for Thermal Paper
As a Kiwi family-owned business, RollHero keeps overheads low and passes the savings directly to NZ businesses. See all RollHero benefits.
- NZ’s most affordable thermal rolls — from $0.42 per roll
- Free shipping to Auckland, Northland & Waikato
- $10 flat rate for the rest of NZ
- Same-day dispatch on orders before 3pm
- 100% paper across our entire range
Related Guides
- EFTPOS Paper Rolls Guide — terminal compatibility & sizing chart
- POS printer guides: Epson | Star Micronics | Bixolon | Citizen
- EFTPOS terminal guides: Windcave | Ingenico | Sam4s
- Frequently Asked Questions