One prints with heat. The other prints with impact. They look similar on the roll, but using the wrong type in your printer means nothing prints at all. This guide breaks down the key differences, costs, and use cases so you can choose with confidence.
We stock thermal and bond paper for every printer
Standard thermal paper — the most common POS paper type. Heat-activated printing, no ribbons needed.
View DetailsEpson-compatible 1-ply bond paper for impact printers. Requires ribbon cartridges — not heat-activated.
View DetailsDuplicate carbonless bond paper. Customer copy + file copy from a single print. Impact printer required.
View DetailsBPA/BPS-free thermal paper. Same heat-activated printing with eco-conscious chemistry.
View Details| Feature | Thermal Paper | Bond Paper |
|---|---|---|
| Printing Method | Heat activates chemical coating | Impact pins strike ink ribbon onto paper |
| Consumables Needed | Paper only — no ribbons or ink | Paper + ribbon cartridges |
| Print Speed | Fast — up to 350mm/sec | Moderate — typically 4-6 lines/sec |
| Noise Level | Near-silent | Audible — mechanical impact sound |
| Multi-Copy Capability | No — single copy only | Yes — 2-ply and 3-ply carbonless available |
| Fade Over Time | Can fade after years (especially in heat/light) | Very stable — lasts decades |
| Upfront Cost | Higher per roll, lower total cost (no ribbons) | Lower per roll, but ribbons add ongoing cost |
| Best For | Most modern POS systems, fast printing, quiet environments | Kitchens, auto shops, duplicate receipts, long-term records |
| Common Printers | Epson TM-T88, Star TSP100, Bixolon SRP-350 | Epson TM-U220, TM-U295, Star SP700 |
Thermal paper is the right choice for the vast majority of modern businesses. It's faster, quieter, and requires no ribbon changes — you just drop in a new roll when it runs out. Our 3 1/8" x 230' thermal rolls (SKU 54-230) work with virtually all modern POS printers from Epson, Star, Bixolon, NCR, and POS-X. The only real downside of thermal paper is that receipts can fade over time — especially if stored in hot environments or exposed to direct sunlight. For most retail transactions, this isn't a concern because customers don't typically keep receipts for years. If archival durability matters (legal, medical, or warranty records), thermal may not be the best fit. For businesses wanting thermal convenience without BPA/BPS, our PF-230 phenol-free paper is the answer.
Bond paper and impact printers serve specific use cases where thermal can't compete. The biggest advantage: multi-part carbonless printing. If you need to print a receipt and a duplicate simultaneously — one for the customer and one for your file — impact printing with 2-ply carbonless paper (SKU CC-235) is the solution. This is why restaurant kitchens, auto repair shops, and businesses with paper filing systems often keep impact printers running alongside modern thermal systems. Bond paper is also more durable for long-term storage — it won't fade over decades the way thermal can. If you're running an Epson TM-U220 or similar impact printer, you'll need both our 13-305 bond paper and ERC ribbons. Check our printer compatibility guide to confirm your printer model.
The simplest test: look at the printer when it prints. If it moves silently and the paper comes out dark, it's a thermal printer. If it makes a clicking/buzzing sound and you can see a ribbon cartridge inside, it's an impact printer using bond paper. Also check the paper itself: thermal paper has a glossy, slightly waxy feel and often turns black if you scratch it with a fingernail. Bond paper feels like regular office paper — matte and fibrous. Still unsure? Remove the roll and check the printer model number, then look it up in our printer compatibility guide.
No. They are completely incompatible. Putting thermal paper in an impact printer will result in faint or blank output because there's no heat source to activate the coating. Putting bond paper in a thermal printer produces nothing at all — bond paper has no thermal coating. Using the wrong paper type won't damage your printer, but it won't print anything useful. Always match your paper type to your printer technology.
Per-roll, yes — thermal paper typically costs more. However, when you factor in the ongoing cost of replacement ribbon cartridges ($42 each for our SKU 62245) and the labor of changing ribbons, the total cost of ownership is often lower with thermal. Most businesses save money switching to thermal over a 2-3 year period.
Only if you have both thermal and impact printers in your business. Many restaurants, for example, use thermal printers at the front counter and impact printers in the kitchen (for durable, heat-resistant receipts). In that case, you need thermal paper for the front and bond paper + ribbons for the kitchen. Our bulk ordering guide helps you stock both efficiently.
Tell us your printer model and we'll match you with the right paper. Fast, free guidance.
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