Is a Thermal Printer Safe?

It's a smart question to ask: are thermal printers safe to use? The good news is that the printer itself is a safe and reliable piece of equipment. The real safety discussion isn't about the printer, but about the paper it uses.

The Facts: Why Thermal Paper Has Raised Questions
Thermal paper is coated with chemicals that react to heat, creating the text or image. In the past, a common chemical used for this was Bisphenol A (BPA). Over the years, research has raised concerns about the potential health effects of BPA, particularly how it can be absorbed through the skin.

In response, many manufacturers switched to alternatives like Bisphenol S (BPS), but some studies have linked BPS to similar concerns.

It's important to remember that the printer itself is not the source of these chemicals. It simply uses a heated printhead to activate the coating on the paper.

The Good News: Simple Steps for Safe Printing
Fortunately, ensuring your thermal printing is safe is easy. The key is to choose the right paper.

Choose Certified BPA-Free Paper: The most effective way to eliminate any concern is to use paper that is certified free of both BPA and BPS. Most modern thermal paper manufacturers offer these products. Look for clear labeling on the packaging that says "BPA-Free" or "Phenol-Free."

Limit Direct Contact: While the risk is very low with modern papers, it's always a good practice to handle receipts as little as possible. For businesses, this can mean offering digital receipts or encouraging customers to use a receipt spike.

The Printer Itself Is Safe: You can be confident that the printer itself is a safe piece of equipment. It has no ink, toner, or harmful chemicals.