By MilaMima — Practical advice on receipt paper that keeps orders flowing, printers printing, and kitchens running smoothly.
Receipts are a small but essential part of every restaurant operation. The right POS paper keeps orders legible, reduces printer jams during rush hours, and helps staff and customers alike. Whether you run a high-volume quick service restaurant or a fine-dining kitchen, knowing which receipt rolls to buy will save time, money, and headaches.
Why Paper Choice Matters in Restaurants
Not all receipt paper is created equal. Restaurant environments are fast-paced and often humid or greasy, and kitchen printers are used constantly. Choosing the correct paper type ensures receipts don’t fade, printers don’t jam, and your point-of-sale system stays reliable. Poor-quality paper can cause unclear receipts, frequent roll changes, and costly printer maintenance.
Thermal Paper vs. Plain Bond Paper
Most modern POS systems use thermal printers because they are fast, quiet, and require no ink. Thermal paper has a heat-sensitive coating that produces text when the printer head heats specific spots. Thermal rolls are ideal for front-of-house receipts and many kitchen printers in restaurants.
Plain bond paper (also called impact paper) is used with dot-matrix or impact printers and requires an ink ribbon. These are still common where multi-copy receipts or carbon copies are needed, for example for delivery manifests or long kitchen order tickets.
Common Sizes and What They Mean for Restaurants
Receipt roll size must match your printer model. The most common restaurant rolls include:
- 3 1/8" x 230' (often shown as 80mm x 70–230ft variants) — widely used in many POS systems
- 2 1/4" x 50–230' — common for mobile or compact terminals
- 57mm x 45–80mm — used in smaller thermal printers and some mobile devices
Measure your printer's paper compartment and core diameter before ordering. Core sizes (for example 12mm or 21mm) must match the spindle in your printer or adapter.
Durability and Fade Resistance
Receipts in restaurants often need to survive being tucked in pockets, exposed to heat, or scanned for returns or accounting. Choose thermal paper with good fade resistance if you need receipts that remain readable for months. If you require archival receipts or permanent copies, consider bonded paper or thermal paper with a protective overcoat.
Kitchen vs. Front-of-House Paper
Kitchen printers often handle grease, steam, and heat. For kitchen use, consider slightly thicker rolls or paper rated for higher humidity so prints remain readable. Front-of-house receipts can prioritize cost and print clarity for customers, while kitchen tickets should prioritize durability and resistance to smudging.
Eco-Friendly and BPA-Free Options
Many restaurants are switching to BPA-free thermal papers and recycled options. BPA-free thermal rolls are safer for staff frequenting receipts, and recycled or FSC-certified paper can support sustainability goals. If your business highlights eco-efforts, choose certified recycled paper and mention it on receipts or menus.
How to Avoid Common Ordering Mistakes
When reordering, confirm the following details so the new rolls work without issues:
- Exact roll width and diameter
- Core size (internal tube diameter)
- Thermal or plain (impact) paper
- Roll length — longer rolls mean fewer changes but must fit the compartment
- Paper grade (thickness) and heat sensitivity
Buying in bulk reduces per-roll cost and avoids last-minute rush orders during busy shifts. Keep a small stock of backup rolls near each POS station to minimize downtime.
Cost Considerations and Value
Price per roll varies based on size, length, and paper quality. A slightly higher per-roll cost for fade-resistant or BPA-free paper often pays off in fewer complaints, lower reprints, and less staff time spent fixing printer issues. Calculate total cost of ownership by factoring in printer downtime, maintenance, and the frequency of roll changes.
Quick Checklist to Choose the Right Restaurant POS Paper
Before placing an order, check these items:
- Printer model compatibility
- Roll width, length, and core size
- Thermal vs. impact requirements
- Fade resistance and durability
- BPA-free or recycled options if desired
Why Buy from MilaMima
MilaMima specializes in wholesale rolls and commercial-grade POS supplies for Canadian restaurants. We offer fast shipping, bulk pricing, and product support to make switching and restocking simple. Our team can help you confirm the right roll specs for your printer model so you never buy the wrong size.
Final Tips
Label reserves: store backup rolls in a cool, dry place to avoid heat exposure that can pre-trigger thermal paper. If you change printer models, re-measure the paper compartment and core size. For busy operations, use longer rolls or a higher-capacity compartment to reduce roll changes during peak hours.
Ready to restock? Browse MilaMima’s selection of restaurant POS paper and order the right rolls for your printers today. If you’re not sure which size you need, contact our support team with your printer model and we’ll recommend options.
