Termopaperi

Termopaperi, also known as thermal paper, is a specialty paper coated with a material that changes color when subjected to heat. This property makes it ideal for use in thermal printers, which are commonly found in point-of-sale systems, cash registers, credit card terminals, and fax machines. The thermal printing process involves a print head that heats specific areas of the paper. The heat causes a chemical reaction in the thermochromic coating, resulting in a visible image or text.

The thermochromic coating typically consists of a dye, a developer, and a sensitizer. When heated, the developer and dye react, causing a color change. The sensitizer helps to lower the melting point of the mixture, allowing the reaction to occur at the temperatures generated by a thermal printer. Most commonly, the paper appears white or light-colored until printed, and the printed areas turn black. However, colored thermal paper is also available.

The use of termopaperi has advantages such as speed, quiet operation, and the elimination of ink or toner cartridges. However, the printed images can fade over time, especially when exposed to heat, light, or certain chemicals. This makes it unsuitable for long-term archival purposes. Modern thermal paper formulations have improved longevity, but care should still be taken to preserve printed receipts and other documents. Termopaperi is widely used globally due to its efficiency and cost-effectiveness for transactional printing.