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Receipt Paper Buying Guide

Last updated on Apr 14, 2025

In the foodservice world, receipt paper is often taken for granted, but without it, operations would come to a halt. When you run out of receipt paper, you cannot print guest checks, customer orders, or end-of-shift reports. Receipt paper is so important that it can become very frustrating when you don't have the right kind in stock. In this guide, we'll explain more about the different types and sizes of receipt paper to help you choose the right product for your POS system and printers.

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What Is Receipt Paper?

Receipt paper is a type of paper specially designed for printing receipts from point-of-sale (POS) systems. It's sold in rolls that are designed to be loaded into receipt printers, cash registers, and credit card terminals. Receipt paper is available in a range of widths and lengths to accommodate different machines and printing requirements. The paper is typically white and provides a clean, professional look for printing receipts.

Receipt Paper or Register Roll Paper?

Register roll paper is just another term for receipt paper. You may also hear it referred to as receipt rolls, POS paper, or cash register rolls.

Types of Receipt Printers

As you shop for receipt paper, make sure to check for the compatible printer. These are the three common types of receipt printers:

Impact printers: Also called dot matrix printers, these printers use a ribbon to transfer ink onto the paper.
Thermal printers: Thermal printers use heat to print on special heat-sensitive paper without the need for an ink ribbon.
Liner-free printers: If you're using linerless receipt paper, you'll need to pair it with a type of thermal printer called a liner-free printer.

Types of Receipt Paper

It's a common mistake to accidentally buy the wrong POS paper, especially if you've already run out and you didn't save your invoice or packaging. Try setting up an auto-reorder for the paper you need so you never run out. These are the most common types of receipt paper:

1. Thermal Receipt Paper

Thermal paper is a popular type of receipt paper that is widely used in point-of-sale systems and credit card terminals. This specialty paper is coated with a chemical that changes color when exposed to heat, typically from a thermal printer.

One of the main reasons why thermal paper is favored in commercial settings is its speed and efficiency. Thermal printers do not require ink or ribbons, which means there is no need for ongoing maintenance or replacement of consumables. This leads to cost savings and reduces downtime, making thermal paper an economical choice for businesses looking to streamline their operations.

Available Widths: 1 3/4", 2 1/4", 2 5/16", 3", 3 1/8", 4 1/4", 4 3/8"
Type of Printer Needed: Thermal printer
Ribbonless? Yes

2. Bond Receipt Paper

Bond receipt paper is a popular choice for businesses looking for a reliable and cost-effective printing solution. This type of paper is known for its durability and resistance to fading, making it ideal for long-term record-keeping. Bond receipt paper is commonly used in impact printers, which utilize a ribbon to transfer ink onto the paper.

One of the main advantages of bond receipt paper over thermal paper is its longevity. Thermal paper tends to fade over time, especially when exposed to heat or light, which can make it difficult to read receipts after a certain period. Bond receipt paper, on the other hand, maintains its print quality for a longer duration, ensuring that your records are clear and legible.

Available Widths: 1 3/4", 2 1/4", 2 3/4", 3", 3 1/4"
Type of Printer Needed: Impact printer
Ribbonless? No

3. Carbonless Receipt Paper

Carbonless receipt paper is a popular choice for businesses looking to create duplicate or triplicate copies of receipts without the need for carbon paper. This type of paper uses a chemical reaction between two layers to transfer the written information onto subsequent sheets, eliminating the mess and hassle of using traditional carbon paper.

A key advantage of carbonless receipt paper is the ability to create multiple copies of receipts simultaneously. With carbonless paper, you can easily provide customers with a copy of their transaction while keeping a duplicate for your records. This can be particularly useful for businesses that require duplicate records for accounting or customer service purposes. It's also convenient for kitchen order tickets to be duplicated so one copy can be used on the line and one copy is available for the expo or server.

Available Widths: 2 1/4", 2 3/4", 3", 3 1/4"
Type of Printer Needed: Impact printer
Ribbonless? No

4. Linerless Receipt Paper

Linerless receipt paper, also called sticky receipt paper, is a specialized type of paper with an adhesive backing. It's commonly used for printing shipping labels, product identification labels, and takeout order labels. The key advantage of linerless paper is that it has no backing, unlike traditional labels. This unique characteristic saves time and eliminates the need to remove a liner before applying the label. With linerless receipt paper, you can simply print the label and stick it directly onto the desired surface, making the labeling process quick and efficient.

Available Widths: 1 1/2", 1 9/16", 2 1/4", 3 1/8", 4"
Types of Printer Needed: Liner-free printer
Ribbonless? Yes

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