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The amazing secret of thermal paper: Why can it change color in an instant?
Thermal paper, a special material, is commonly used in receipt printing, bills and various documents in our lives. Its working principle is amazing. The surface of this paper is coated with special chemicals. When affected by a heat source, it can instantly change color to form printed content. Thermal paper not only has its place in commercial settings, but also in portable printing devices.
Thermal paper's surface coating locally changes color when heated, making it an indispensable material in printers.
Historical background
The development of thermal paper can be traced back to the 1960s. NCR Company first developed direct thermal paper and used dye chemistry technology. Over time, the technology managed to dominate the market. In 1965, Texas Instruments invented the thermal printhead, and in 1969, they introduced the Silent 700 computer terminal, the first system to print on thermal paper.
By the 1970s, Hewlett-Packard integrated thermal printers into its desktop computers, and Japanese manufacturers such as Ricoh and Jujo also made further inroads, particularly in the field of supermarket receipt printing. Although some applications of thermal paper have been replaced by competitors with the rise of laser printing and thermal transfer printing, it has maintained a strong rebound in retail point of sale receipt printing.
How it works
Thermal paper works based on the interaction between the thermal print head and the paper. These printheads are made up of many small dots that leave an imprint on the paper when they heat up quickly. These spots cool down quickly after heating, so the entire process is very efficient.
Thermal printers utilize a transport mechanism that pulls paper through a hot spot matrix printhead, allowing for rapid printing.
Chemical composition
The discoloration process of thermal paper involves four main chemical components: color precursors, developers, sensitizers and stabilizers.
Color precursors, such as triaromatic hydrocarbon ketones and their derivatives, will change color when heated; development agents need to be used together with these color precursors to achieve the best results. In addition, sensitizers are often added to promote color generation, and the main function of stabilizers is to maintain the stability of the chemical combination and extend the durability of the printed image.
Environmental protection and health concerns
While thermal paper is appreciated for its convenience, its health and environmental impacts are also becoming concerns. Many thermal papers contain bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical considered to have endocrine disrupting effects. This increases the risk of contamination of recyclable paper in the printing industry. As awareness of these issues increases, some areas have begun to legislate to ban the use of BPA in thermal receipt paper.
Concerning the health and environmental impacts of thermal paper, many places have begun to push for restrictions on BPA, and it is imperative to use safer alternatives in the future.
Future Outlook
As technology continues to evolve, the thermal paper industry is moving towards a more environmentally friendly and efficient direction. Whether it is the introduction of double-sided printing technology or the new development of color thermal paper, these have brought new vitality to thermal snow. Various innovative attempts not only improve the printing quality, but also enhance the application of thermal paper in daily life.
We can’t help but wonder, how will the role of thermal paper evolve in future electronic payments and data transmission?
