Have you ever pulled a receipt out of your wallet only to find it faded or completely blank? You're not alone. Receipt fading is a common issue—especially for retailers, restaurants, and businesses that rely on thermal printing for records. But the good news? Fading is preventable.
In this guide, we’ll explain why thermal receipts fade and how proper storage can dramatically extend the life of your printed receipts. Plus, we’ll introduce you to MilaMima’s Canadian-quality thermal paper that’s designed to resist fading while maintaining crystal-clear print quality.
🔍 Why Do Thermal Receipts Fade?
Thermal paper doesn’t use ink. Instead, the paper is coated with heat-sensitive chemicals that darken when exposed to heat from a thermal printer. However, those same chemicals are sensitive to:
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Heat
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Light (especially UV)
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Moisture
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Friction
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Chemical exposure (e.g., plasticizers from PVC wallets)
Without proper care, the image can degrade quickly—even in just a few months.
📦 Best Practices for Storing Thermal Paper Receipts
Want your receipts to last for years instead of weeks? Here are MilaMima’s top storage tips:
✅ Store in a Cool, Dry Place
Keep receipts away from heat sources like direct sunlight, radiators, or warm car interiors. Ideal storage temperature is below 25°C (77°F) with low humidity.
✅ Avoid UV Light
UV exposure breaks down the thermal coating. Use closed drawers, filing cabinets, or envelopes to block light.
✅ No Plastic Contact
Don’t store receipts in PVC wallets or laminated surfaces. These can trigger chemical reactions that fade the text. Instead, use paper envelopes or archival-safe sleeves.
✅ Reduce Friction
Folding, crumpling, or rubbing the paper can cause surface damage. Store flat or rolled (not tightly), especially for long receipts like gas pump or POS rolls.
💡 Choose the Right Paper: MilaMima Thermal Rolls
Even with great storage, not all thermal paper is created equal. At MilaMima, we provide high-grade, BPA-free thermal paper that’s designed to resist fading and keep your records sharp for longer.
Here are some of our bestsellers:
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3 1/8" x 225' – Perfect for POS, Epson, Star Micronics, Square, Clover, and more.
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2 1/4" x 60' – Ideal for credit card terminals including Verifone, Ingenico, Moneris, and TD.
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2 5/16" x 400' – Gas pump receipt rolls, compatible with Dresser Wayne and Speedpass systems.
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2 1/4" x 150' Bond Paper – Best for kitchen printers, calculators, and non-thermal printing environments.
Our thermal paper is Canadian-stocked for faster shipping and backed by our MilaMima quality standard—durable, legible, and jam-free.
🧠 Bonus: Thermal Paper Life Expectancy
When stored correctly, thermal paper receipts can last:
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Up to 7 years for standard BPA-free thermal paper
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Up to 10+ years for specialty archival-grade paper (coming soon to MilaMima!)
📌 Final Thoughts
Don't lose your receipts to fading. Whether you’re managing a retail business, fuel station, or restaurant, your printed records are vital. Follow the storage tips above and switch to premium thermal paper from MilaMima—because your business deserves long-lasting, professional-quality printouts.
Explore our full thermal paper collection today at MilaMima.com!
