About Direct Thermal Paper
Direct thermal paper is essentially a self contained printing system. It's manufactured by applying surface coatings to paper with a chemical formula that include colorless dyes and developers. When the paper goes through a thermal printer, heat (thermal energy) from the thermal printhead causes the dye and developer to activate and form a high definition image. The thermal printhead consists of a multitude of pixels (miniature heating elements) distributed along its printing width. Each pixel is electronically controlled to deliver the correct amount of energy to an exact location for an exact amount of time. Those individual points of energy together form the final image - text, graphics, and bar codes. Direct thermal paper is environmentally safe and fully recyclable.

Thermal Paper & Printer Compatibility
To achieve the maximum durability & life, a direct thermal image needs to be fully imaged (to the "saturated density point"). That means the energy level on a thermal printer must be compatible with the sensitivity level of the thermal paper. The energy level is determined by a combination of temperature and print speed.

Physical Properties of Thermal Paper
Thermal Printer OEMs have stringent specifications for their approved thermal papers. The paper must comply with the OEM's thermal paper specifications for the particular printer model being used. These specifications may include physical properties specifications of the paper, such as basis weight, caliper, smoothness, stiffness, and tear resistance. In addition, thermal paper is tested for image quality; printhead life test & cutting test (typically 100km); and thermal image durability testing.

Durability of Thermal Paper
It's important to determine that the characteristics (caliper, image life, durability) of the thermal paper are suitable for the application. Archivability and environmental resistance (or durability) depend on thermal chemistry - the life of any thermal image may be reduced by exposure to heat, humidity, excessive light or contact with chemicals such as plasticizers, oils, solvents, adhesives, water, and some printing inks.