Choosing the correct thermal paper roll size is essential for your POS or receipt printer. If you know the model of your printer, you can usually Google it to find the exact compatible paper roll. If not, this guide will help you measure and identify the right roll size.
1. Paper Roll Width
The width of the roll is the first number in its size specification. It’s measured across the face of the roll from edge to edge. This is the most important measurement because if the width doesn’t match, the roll won’t fit in the printer.
- US & Canada: Common widths are 3 1/8″ and 2 1/4″
- Other countries: Common widths are 80mm and 57mm
2. Paper Roll Diameter
The diameter is measured straight across the roll through its core. It ranges from 30mm to 250mm. Larger diameters mean more paper, but be careful not to exceed your printer’s recommended size.
3. Paper Roll Length
Length refers to how much paper is wound on the roll. For example, an 80mm x 80mm roll may vary from 50m to 90m in length. In the US, lengths are expressed in feet (50′, 80′, 230′, etc.), while in other countries they are in meters (16m, 25m, 80m, etc.).
4. Core Diameter
The core size is the diameter of the tube inside the roll. The most common core I.D. is 12.7mm (7/16″). While modern printers often don’t require a spindle, core size still matters since it affects paper length and compatibility.
Standard Thermal Paper Roll Sizes
- Mobile printers / credit card terminals: 57mm x 40mm, 57mm x 38mm
- Thermal receipt printers (Epson, Star, Bixolon, etc.): 80mm x 80mm, 80mm x 70mm
Wrapping Up
Thermal paper rolls are usually described in two ways:
- Width x Diameter x Core (e.g., 80mm x 80mm x 13mm)
- Width x Length x Core (e.g., 3 1/8″ x 230′ x 7/16″)
Need help choosing the right roll? Visit our store at MilaMima.com to shop high-quality thermal paper rolls across Canada.
